NEW BRIGHTON DANGERS.

Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 14522, 26 November 1912, Page 3

NEW BRIGHTON DANGERS.

A NARROW 7 ESCAPE. With tho excellent summer weather experienced on Sunday last, it was not surprising that largo numbers made their way to New Brighton. This .favourite resort is an ideal spot for enjoyment to the many thousands in Christchurch, whose daily routine is illumined by a day on the beaeb. Littlo do the hundreds who enjoyed themselves on Sunday know how narrowly a drowning fatality was averted. The beach is well known to be treacherous in certain places, and losses have already occurred that should awaken public interest in taking precaution. Among the bathers on Sunday were Messrs Merrett and Newell, of St. Albans. They chose a spot ten chains south of tho pier, and, wlule bathing, suddenly found themselves swept off their feet by a strong current, and in placo of their being in three feet of water found themselves in a beachpocket about ten feet deep. The action of the water was such as to suck them under, and they soon found themselves in difficulties. Mr Newell was drawn under three times, and it was several minutes beforo his companion oould get' to his aid. and when rescued he was thoroughly exhausted. Another half minute and his lifo would have been lost. Both swimmers called for help, but none heeded. Two persons who could have rendered help interpreted tho cries as those having lifesaving practice. Speaking to our representative, Mr Merrett affirms that the public should bo warned of tho dangers of the beach, and that bathing should be confined to within five or ten chains above and below the pier, so that patrols could be arranged to render assistance in case of need. To him the life-saving apparatus now in use, loses much of its value, as, in the ineddent related above, a person would be drowned long before it could be brought into use. Ho also suggests the erection of two posts each side of tho pier, say, five cnains apart, with a life-lino and buoy attached, which, if placed in an accessible position, would be useful. Theso posts could be used as limit signals to oonfine the bathing area. Referring to the loss of two young men some time ago, Mr Merrett says he is not surprised, as no one except a strong and experienced swimmer could get out of the water-pocket into which he was drawn on Sunday last. He also suggests that the Surf Club patrol should be provided with glasses, as any one can readily detect a bather in trouble by tho look on his face. Precautions of this nature are taken at Manly, near Sydney, and the bathing area is confined, and it would be a reproach to Christchurch for young life to be sacrificed for want of somo attention to tho danger that exists at Brighton.