DANGER OF SURF.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 8

DANGER OF SURF.

NO BEACH CONTROL.

NEED OF STATE ACTION.

PRIVATE BILL. SUGGESTED.

The need for direct action by the Government in assisting surf clubs in their valuable work for the community was emphasised in an interview this morning by Mr. H. I'. Sid ford, captain of the Piha Life Saving Club, and an active vice-president of the Auckland Lite Saving Association. Mr. Sid ford's comment was very pertinent iu view of the fact that at least I<> persons were brought ashore at Piha yesterday. Mr. Sidford suggested that Mr. W. T. Anderton, M.P. for Kden, who was among the several thousand people, at l'iha yesterday when a display was given by the visiting Australian team, and when the series of rescues were effected, resulting in an interruption of the carnival, might be asked to sponsor a private member's bill in the House of Representatives next session. The bill that the club had in mind would be along the lines of the beach ordinances in Xew Soiuli Wales, which provided, j among other thing*, for definite control of swimmers.

Beach Inspectors Advocated. Explaining the position on the Sydney beaches, Air. Sidford said bathers were compelled to swim within a defined zone and were not permitted to go beyond it. At Piha the beach was flagged off for the guidance of bathers, but there was this difference as comj>ared with Sydney —no authority existed for enforcing observance of the flagged area*. In Sydney, beach inspectors, appointed by the Government, had the power to order swimmers out of dangerous parts, and, if necessary, to bring prosecutions for breaches of the beach ordinances. Mr. Sidford said the insjiectors could be drawn from the surf life saving clubs. The Government took adequate step* to ensure safety on the road, and was spending large sums on the elimination of railway crossings and in other directions, Mr. Sidford added. But what of swimmers at surf beaches? What provision was made by the State for their safety he asked? He considered the number of persons rescued by life clubs at surf beaches in Auckland was quite equal to the number involved in level crossing accidents or motoring mishaps. It was true. Mr. Sidford said, that had made a of XZWi to Domihion surf clubs, but this sum was divided among 4."> clubs As life-saving reels—to mention but one item—cost from £13 10/ to €15, such an amount did not go very far The members of the clubs paid' their transport expenses to the beaches and supplied their own equipment. Surely a human lite was worth at least £1000. At Pilm on Sunday 16 persons, representing a human life value of £16 000 had been rescued. This fact alone showed the good work that the clubs were doing.

Mr. Sidford said that should Mr Anderton or another M.P, introduce a private member's bill he would like to see it contain provision also for clubs having the right to charge admission fees for entrance by the public to certain beach areas on carnival days s was done in Sydney and the charge was usually 1/ to 2/. Until such "a bill might be introduced, he would invite the Government to devote the proceeds of an art union or make a more adequate grant to assist the clubs of the Dominion.

Flagged Areas Ignored. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon W. E. Parry, and other members of the Government had given the elubs their sympathy, bnt more was needed—direct action. The Marine Department had control of beaches up to the high water mark and the various local authorities the areas above that. Consequently swimmers ignored the warning flags with reckless abandon and no action could be taken.

Mr. Sidford also pointed out that the Government gave no assistance to surf clubs in the form of rail concessions. Whereas certain bodies received rail concessions for attending conferences, etc., he said members of surf clubs had to pay the full excursion fares. Thus at the Dominion surf life savers' carnival in Wellington only one team represented Auckland and that team, from Brown's Bay, owed its visit to financial assistance by local residents. He considered the visiting Australian team should have been the guests of the Government and free rail transport and other privileges accorded it.