Drive To Stop Farm Water Accidents

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30413, 11 April 1964, Page 22

Drive To Stop Farm Water Accidents

Records show that 136 children have been drowned on New Zealannd farms since the National Safety Association has been keeping the figures. Most of these children were under five years of age, and most of the accidents could have been prevented, says a news release from the association.

The farm safety officers of the Young Farmers’ Clubs are concerned about the water hazards that young children have to face. Between April and June they will be making a national drive to convince farmers of the need to get as many of these hazards covered as possible. Child fatalities through drowning over the last 15 years have been caused as follows: —Rivers, creeks and streams, 36; troughs, 22; sheep dips, 16; Coppers, sumps holes, 15; drains, 12; reservoirs and dams, 12; races and ditches, 8; channels, 5; wells, 7; others, 3. Rivers, streams, and so on cannot be covered or fenced. But a secure fence round the home, with a gate that can be scurely latched, will keep young children from straying into danger. Troughs, especially when situated close to the homestead, have claimed 22 young lives. Many farmers have devised covers that allow stock to drink and yet prevent a child from falling in. Sheep dips seem to attract young children, and not only have the children of the property owners been drowned in un-

covered dips, but children visiting on holidays, too. Cowshed sumps, coppers, wells, grease traps and water tanks have all claimed child victims. If farmers need help or advice they can approach the local farm safety officer through the district Young Farmers’ Club. Covers do not have to be elaborate or expensive. All sorts of material has been used to make a serviceable cover—timber, iron, concrete, netting and tubular steel. Most of these can be found on farms already.

Congo Prisoners Released (N.Z.P.A.-Reuter —Copyright' ELISABETHVILLE, April 7. A Scot and a Rhodesian arrested two weeks ago on spying charges were today released into the custody of the British Consul. The men, James Conihrie Wallace and Johannes Andreas Erasmus, were freed after intervention by the Acting British Consul, Mr Ernest Lewis, who saw the Congolese Army Chief, Colonel Louis Boboso while the men were being held in a military camp.