WATER TOLL

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31586, 25 January 1968, Page 9

WATER TOLL

Alarm At I Rise The national drowning rate of one a day for the first three weeks of this month was a matter of concern for every New Zealander, said the chairman of the National Water Safety Council (Mr A. J. Donaldson, of Christchurch) yesterday. The 22 drownings in 22 days constituted an “alarming situation,” said Mr Donaldson. The highest January figure in the last six years—2s in 1965—could be exceeded unless the present tragic trend was arrested. “Against a background of excellent swimming weather throughout the country, it is Imperative that people recognise the dangers in water and exercise every care,” he said. “Drownings can occur in such simple and unnecessary circumstances.”

Mr Donaldson said that the facilities in clubs and schools throughout the country made it possible for- everyone to learn to swim with safety. He urged that full advantage should be taken of this, particularly to ensure that young children were given the opportunity of learning to swim at an early age. “I cannot emphasise too strongly the danger of children playing in or near water without adequate supervision,” he said. “If adults are present and they themselves cannot swim, it is not adequate supervision.” The average drowning rate per 100,000 of population in the last six years has been:— 1962, 4.6; 1963, 4.8; 1964, 3.9; 1965, 4.8; 1966, 4.2: 1967, 3.8. “Until this month, it appeared as if the rate was well on the decline,” said Mr Donaldson. “Now the picture has darkened again.” Hockey Festival. Pakistan, the Olympic silver medallist, yesterday moved to the top of the table in the pre-Olympic hockey festival at Lahore after beating Singapore, 3-0. Singapore dropped to second place, •vhich it now shares with West Germany and Kenya.