LIFE-SAVING.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16163, 18 March 1918, Page 5

LIFE-SAVING.

BENSON SHIELD. The first contest for the Benson Shield was held under the auspices of the Canterbury Surf Association, at New Brighton, on Saturday, in a heavy, irre©ular surf. Four teams competed, with tho following result:— Taylor's Mistake, 91i points .. 1 New Brighton, 87 points •• 2 Sumner, points .. ..3 High School, 82J points .. 1 The winning teu.m comprised J. Crook, F. Clisbv, A. Green, W. S. McLean. J. 1). Yardley," H. L. Moore, and R, Grenfell. Tho shield was subsequently presented to the winners by Mr F. D. Kesteven.

KESTEVEN CUP. The first in tor-ciua comuutiiion for tho cup presented by Atr i''. u, Acsteven took piuce on the Taylor s llistahe beach yesteraay aiiernoou, ic the presence o: » largo number of spectators. 'i'hore was a good 6eu> running, wit.li u fair break, the conditions being ideal for a uemoustiuliun. Teams rei«resentir.g ibe Taylors MistaKe, -\ortii Nov Jirigiuon, Sumner, and jSev: Brighton Llie Saving Clubs participated m the competition, tne iaat-named winning by tho narrow margin of one yoiul iroiu llii> Taylor'3 Mistafco team. The exhibition was easily one of the best displays given, the judges having great difficulty in separating the first two, wiule tho xvortu JNe\v isrighton team and tne Sumner team' were only, two points behind. - _ I All the teams secured, the maximum marks for fafltening the belt, while for the beltman's water workall scoured, equal marks except Sumner, who. were one point bonihu. For the control of tho line, Taylor's Mistake, Brighton, and Sumner secured the i maximum ma-rks, while for avoiding the breakers tho North Beach team got the maximum points. Tho eame toam got full points for resuscitation, while Brighton and Sumner were three points behind. Tho judges staled that it was tho closest. competition ever held, all tho teams being excellent. North New Brighton would have won but for a mistake of winding in too soon. _

At the conclusion- Mr P. D. Kest-avcn presented. the cup to Mr li. S. Knox (instructor of the winning team), and in doing eo congratulated him on the team's performance. Mr Knox suitably replied. The officials were:—Keferce, Mr F, D. Jiesteven; judges, Messrs S. K. Bassett, and C. Bryant. Kcsults: — . New D. Stokes, H. S. Feast, L. A. Ablett, G. H. Clarkson, D. F. Coulter, C. H. Millar, G. G. McHarg, and B. S. Knox (instructor). 86 points-. 1. This team took the water in good style, and maintained a, good line. The resuscitation work was well carried out. „ Tavloir's Mistake-J. Hirst, E. Crook, G. Pearcc, A. Dow, J. D. Yardloy, F. C. Hobson, i'. CongTeve, and A. Barrett (mstrucior), 85 poiuts, The beltuiaii s water work was exceptionally good, and. a perfect line was maintained, but the resuscitation was not equal to that of the winners. Sumncr-A. C. O. Allen. F. Truscott, H, H. Rich, *V. J. Sergison, H. Lane, W. Miller F. Kerr, and W. S. Mitchell (instructor), S4 points. The line work* was exceptior.allv good, but points • were lost through a costumo becoming undone while iu tli2 water, and also on resuscitation North Boach-G. L: Bull, T, ■ Hall, \Y A. Smith, P. Kirbv, H. Trus-. cott, A. Soutcr, and A. K. Blank (mstniclorl, 84 points. The breakers were avoided in an excellent manner, although the reelI man wound in too soon. Owing to members of tho various teams 'being in the water in.other rescues for some | time previous to the competition no official I times were taken.

SUMNER CUP. A cup for life saving competition has been presented to the Sumner Cjub, and tho first competition will take place on the Sumner bcach on Easter Monday. - The conditions will bo much the samoa» under Surf Association rules, except that positions in 'teams will be balloted, and spscial points given for water work, promotion of warmth, and time test in effecting rescue.