BATHING AT SUMNER.

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14564, 15 January 1913, Page 12

BATHING AT SUMNER.

THE PROPOSED REGULATIONS,

.SEVERAL SUGGESTIONS

The question of effecting improvement at Sumner with a view to minimising the risks of drowning accidents and providing regulation* for bathing, was before the Sumner Borough Councit at its meeting last night.

The recommendations decided upon at the meeting of local bodies and societies interested, held the previous i-vening, were submitted. The following wore the recommendations: — (1) That it i.s desirable that the area for surf bathing should be restricted; (2) tbat it is desirable that certain members of the Life-saving Society be apoointed special constables to patrol the restricted areas; (3) that it is desirable to have means for raising an alarm in cases of accident, details to be left to tlie life-saving societies; (4) that it is desirable that all bathing costumes snail be neck to knee; in the ease of males trunks to be worn over costumes. The matter was not discussed, but it was decided to ask the Sumner Lifesaving Society to confer with the Bylaw Committee of the Council to draw up by-laws, to be submitted to tho Harbour Board. The Sumner branch of the Royal Life-saving Society forwarded the following suggestions for bathing regulations :—(l) That bathing be not permittee on the beach between the pier and tlie men's bathing shelter; (2) that trunk;; be worn over a neck-to-knee ccJstuno; (3) That it be compulsory for all when sun bathing in tho shelters to weaif :nmks. except hoy's under twelve years of ago; (4) That a reel shelter be execte I nt the bath house on the pier level, also that on account of the prowised restriction of bathing tho branch wjll be pleased to meet the Council .twain to select another building site.

'A further letter from the society suepceited that the women's shelter sliouh. bo moved to within a hundred yards lof tho men's shelter, and that a !i(e-saving reel should be kept in each ahelter. Further recommendations were:—That in tho interests of the ouhlic safety, surf bathing be restricted to a portion of the beach, say 150 yards wide, in the vicinity of the sheltersheds; & that members of the society who have proved themselves efficient life-savers, and who are willing to natrol the bench and safeguard bathers at this snot, shall bo entrusted with the power of special constables, as is done at Manly, Bondi. and Coogee'(Australia); (3)' that notices lie posted up in urominent uositioiis stating that four life-saving reels will be kept at the following points-.—(a) near the pier, (h) men's bathing shed, (c) ladies' bathing shed, (d) Mr Sutherland's house (Bell's baths), and giving directions for the use of the reels in the event of the society not being present when wanted. Both letters "were referred to the Byla wi Committee for consideration in conjunction with the recommendations of the conference.