REQUEST FOR SUBSIDY

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 110, 3 February 1938, Page 12

REQUEST FOR SUBSIDY

Country Life-Saving Clubs Dominion Special Service. Palmerston North, February 2. A request to the Minister of Internal Affairs, Hon. W. Parry, for funds to provide for the erection of sheds and provision of equipment for country surf and life-saving clubs is to be made by the Manawatu Provincial Division of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union through the Dominion office of the union at Wellington. This was decided as a result of a letter received from the secretary of the Rongotea branch of the union, Mr. C. 11. Caverhill. Mr. Caverhill said that 14 young farmers in the Rongotea district had banded together and formed a beach patrol and life-saving club at the Tirngimoana beach. During recent weeks they had saved a number of people swimming at the beach who had got into difficulties, and on one occasion had saved five people from drowning in one day. At present they had no shelter and no equipment had been provided. The Rongotea branch felt, therefore, that the matter should be taken up with the Government with a view to obtaining a subsidy. Concerts and other entertainments had been arranged to raise funds. “The branch feels that on beaches near towns there is a greater opportunity to get assistance from the municipality and' to get donations from people on the beach,” Mr. Caverhill said. It. was difficult for clubs in the country to do this, however.