SIXTEEN SAVED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 10

SIXTEEN SAVED.

RESCUES AT PIHA.

BATHERS IN DIFFICULTY.

AFSTRAUAX TEAM HELPS

The surf carnival arranged to be held at Piha yesterday for the entertainment of several thousand people who had been attracted to the beach by the appearance of the visiting Australian instructional surf team was abruptly abandoned soon after the start in. order that the teams confine their activities to assisting bataers in difficulties. A rising tide and a heavy sea caused a set toward Lion Rock. Several times beltmen assisted bathers ashore and were compelled to turn about immediately and set out to the rescue of others.

The manager of the Australian team, Mr. J. Cameron, said after the carnival that in his opinion beaches in the Dominion should be more firmly controlled and bathers should not be allowed to go. beyond a certain zone. This was the method used in Australia.-

During the day 16 rescues were carried out, four cases calling for resuscitation on the beach and two others receiving further treatment in the clubhouse of the Piha Surf Life-saving Club. Before the carnival had begun at 1.30 p.m. seven rescues, including those of five young women, had already been accomplished by the Piha Club. While the crowd was waiting for the demonstration to begin Messrs. H. C. Sidford and A. Gardiner and an emergency team brought in Mrs. D. Nelson, who required treatment in the clubhouse for nearly two hours.

With the surf teams race under way the alarm was sounded again and a girl was carried in by Mr. Gardiner and fellow members of the Eastern United Club. As the nine competitor* for the rescue and resuscitation display prepared to start, the man on the look-out tower reported a man in difficulty and the Piha Club went to the rescue. Other alarma followed in quick succession. Nearly every club on the beach ; j6ad a line out and in several place* resuscitation work was being carried" on at the eame time. Work was hampered by spectators.

Mr. B. Hodgson, of the Australian ■team, made a fine rescue-when iMk-jons* off the belt and brought in a mant who waa being- J&n fllOek. Later Mr: An Mk; BUHL dab, Wi» attacked by «ranqr And had to U. jpiiWdit if by Mmra^Sar- 1 ' diner and,:"#!. Steven*. Offer rescues were performed by Mr. of the Tskapuria Club, Jfflrllr. E. WMt- 1 eon. of the North- Club..,. .... Mr. W. ML |rlrpi,%' young btltman competing far the apft Eastern Suburbs CluiM, swam'nearly >200 yard* to a bather, Mr. Basil "'Tftrnerj of Remuera, who «u exhausted and is grave danger. He wa* brought ashore by Mr. Warren and duhmatee and given treatmentwith a earbou dioxide gun.' Mr. Warren' collapsed on the beach owing to> the strait of hislongawim.