JANUARY DROWNINGS Highest Figure For Eight Years

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31595, 5 February 1968, Page 22

JANUARY DROWNINGS Highest Figure For Eight Years

(New Zealand Preu Auoclation)

WELLINGTON, February 4. During January, 30 persons—nearly one a day—were drowned in New Zealand. This is the highest January drowning figure for eight years.

The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Seath) said there had been only three higher January drowning figures recorded. The highest was in 1955, when 34 people died.

Mr Seath said: "'One of the most distressing aspects of last month’s drownings was the number of children under 10 who died—nine of the 30— and three of these were under five.

“There were another seven drownings in the 11 to 20 age group—a total of 16 young lives needlessly wasted,” he said.

The Minister said that nine people died while swimming from beaches, six in harbours, five in pools or ponds, four in lakes, two in swimming pools, two in rivers, one in a sump, and one in a sheep dip. Swimming Month

Mr Seath said: “February is often New Zealand’s warmest month and is traditionally the time for organised group picnics, beach barbecues, Sun-

day school picnics, and school outings to the beach—all of which can end in disaster unless everyone realises that wherever there is water there is potential danger, especially for young children who are not being watched.

“I appeal to everyone to take care in or near water, to keep an eye on young children, even if they are not your own; to swim within a patrolled area; to fence off all water hazards around the home, and to put on a lifejacket before getting into a boat,” said Mr Seath.