TO SAVE LIFE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 23, 28 January 1911, Page 3

TO SAVE LIFE.

THE ROYAL SOCIETY'S WORK. A PLEA FOR HELP, IO THE EDITOE. Sir, — I am taking the liberty to draw your attention to a very sad accident which occurred at Hokianga a few days ago. When I read of the accident in the paper, I saw it was one of those incidents that calls for the work of this society, to be pushed forward as much as possible. Consider the circumstances. A email boy falls out of a launch, in which there at least two grown men (and there must have been others), one of whom (Mr. John Coohrane) is described as a very strong swimmer. The latter, obeying the instincts of a man, endeavours to save the child — failed and pays forfeit with hia own. life. I have not the slightest hesitation, in saying that had this unfortunate man received only a slight education in proper life saving methods, the result of his efforts would have been very different. lam not making this statement rashly. I speak j ixom. the great experience of this society, as well as from my personal experience. For instance : You will observe that he carried the boy on his back — the worst possible method of rescue. I am anxious to secure more members and more funds to carry on the work in this district. I sent a copy of the enclosed letter to 60 leading residents. My object in writing you" is to endeavour to enlist your sympathy, sufficient to prompt you to deal with the accident and the society in your paper. In making this, -request I trust you will not consider I am too presumptuous. I have nothing to gain; it only means more "work. But it would help the society, and the objects are good. Trusting you will be so kind as to grant this request. —I am, etc., W. G. MORPETH. (Honorary Secretary.) Wellington, 26th January. A GLANCE AT THE IDEALS. Briefly the society's objects are: — (1) To promote technical education in ! life-saving and resuscitation of the apparently drowned. (2) To stimulate publk opinion in favour of the general adoption of swimming and life-saving as a branch of instruction in schools, colleges, etc. (3) To encourage floating, diving, plunging, and such other swimming arts as would be of assistance to a person endeavouring to save life. (4) To arrange and promote public lectures, demonstrations, and competitions, and to. form classes of instruction, so as to bring about a widespread and thorough knowledge of the principles which underlie the art of swimming. CLASSES IN" WELUNGTOtf. Already life-saving classes for both sexes have been established at the V.M.C.A. building. The Mount Cook Girls' School and a school at the Lower Hutt are also interested in the work, and Island Bay has underta-kent to get a class working. The Royal Society earnestly hopes to greatly increase the numbers of classes m and about Weffingion, and requests the public to assist in this, worthy cause by joining the society. Funds are needed for this very valuable enterprise, which is designed to reduce the number of deaths by drowning.