THE HOUR AND THE MAN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1039, 31 January 1911, Page 4

THE HOUR AND THE MAN.

. ' . ; »— —- . A TIMELY ACCIDENT. (By TelejrraDh.—Special Correspondent.! Wanganui, January 30. The Castlecliff Surf Club's life-savin} reel came to hand from Sydney on Saturday, and was placed on the beach yesterday. As it. is the first of the kind imported into the Dominion a description of it should be of interest, especially to those who frequent the seaside. It is of simple design . and construction, consisting of a drum on which is wound a light strong line 410 yards long. ;At the end of this is attached a lifebelt. drum is fitted with a handle for winning and a brake to check too hasty unwinding, and the whole is carried on a strong but light frame, easily portable by two men to any place required. A man, wearing the lifebelt, swims out to tho person in danger, the rest of the - team taking. up positions at- intervals to pay out or haul in as may bo required. The reel had not been more than live minutes on the beach yesterday before there was occasion to put it to practical use. A young man got caught in tho undertow, and was rapidly becoming ex-' hausted and carried out to sea 'when the surf team on duty came to. the rescue and, by the aid of the reel, soon had him on dry land without any danger, to the rescue party. As an adjunct to any bathing. resort the reel cannot be too highly recommended.