TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS."

Press, Volume XLIX, Issue 14565, 16 January 1913, Page 4

TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PRESS."

Sir, —1, with the whole of the community, deenlv dcploro the recent terribly sad banning fatality at Herring Bay. which has cast quite a gloom over New Brighton. But in justice and fairness to tho members of my club I desire to say that of tho two alleged members of tho Brighton Surf Club spoken of and to by Constable Rowe, one only was a member of the club, and. further; that that member was detailed for patrol duty with the life reel on the beach at the time of tho sad affair, and, according to our rules, it was his bounden duty to remain on patrol until cither he was relieved, or that there was no necessity for him to continue his watch. At_ the timo there were many bathers in the surf, mostly women and children, and it was our patrolman's duty to remain at his post ready to render assistance with tha help of others to those in the surf that .yere living, but, perhaps, in danger, rather than to leave his_ post to assist the already dead at a point some two miles distant. Personally, I have known Constablo Rowe for a number of years, and there is not the slightest doubt that that officer did all that was possible for any human being to have done under tho circumstances. All who know our local constable will, lam sure, agree with me that it would be impossible to find a more canablo man, and ono who is at all times most courteous and obliging.—Yours, etc.. A. P. HOPKINS. Hon. Sec., Brighton Surf Club. January loth.