NEW PAVILION

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 71, 20 September 1930, Page 10

NEW PAVILION

3IAKANUI SUEF CLUB

PROGRESS AT LYALL BAY

In the building of its new clubhouse the Maranui Burf and Life-saving Club has achieved its ambition of possessing the largest and most up-to-date clubhouse in New Zealand, equipped with the most modern life-saving

equipment

For years past the present quarters, which were built in 1911, have proved too small for adequate training space, and with the rapidly increasing membership the need for improved accommodation has become urgent.

Early in the year, Councillor R, Seuiple, M.P., induced members of the City Council to view the present quarters ami meet officials of the club. The Mayor and the chairman of the Baths and Beaches Committee (Councillor B. G. H. Burn) stated that they werß quite in sympathy with the objects of life-saving, and the City Council realised the very valuable work that the club, and similar clubs, were doing on the beaches, but lack of finances was the only reason that the City Council did not replace all the present sheds with more modern structures. However, if the club could raise the major part of the cost of a new building they would recommend that the council subsidise it.

Largely through, the enterprise and generosity of the president (Mr. Theo. Queree) £900 was raised and to this the council added £450 on condition that the present premises were handed over for a ladies' shed to relieve congestion. The new clubhouse has a concrete basement, with redwood upper structure and green iron roof. The large dressing-room, 54ft by 18ft. will be equipped as. a gymnasium.- for winter; use. The resuscitation-room and com-j mittee-room will be covered by a flat roof for look-out and sun bathing. The building will be finished m the style of the present ladies' rest-room, built back to the parade, and mil make a handsome addition to the "beach.

A report is being prepared by the City Engineer, the Manager of the Tramway Department, and the Director of Baths and Beaches on the question of improving Lyall Bay waterfront, and it is hoped when finance permits to replace the present unsightly shacks by structures similar to the new clubhouse.

THE PREMIER CLUB,

Founded in 1911 with the late Dr. A. K. Newman as president, and Mr. "W. C. Collier (now chairman of the Manawatu Eoyal Life-saving Society) as secretary, the Maranui Club has deiveloped from very humble beginnings !into the premier club of New Zealand, having held the New Zealand life-sav-ing championship on four occasions, including the last two years. The club also brought the New Zealand championship to "Wellington in 1924 for the .first time. The club's most successful year was the last season when, under the tuition of the club captain (Mr. E. Hughes) and Mr. C. Claridge, the well-known distance swimmer, it was successful in winning the New Zealand and the Wellington life-saving championships, the water polo championship, and the champion five-man flying squad- ; roil race.

Since the foundation of the club 20 lives have been saved by reel and line, and assistance has been rendered by individual members on countless occasions. Three hundred and twenty-five men have been trained and qualified for the life-saving awards of the Eoyal Life-saving Society. The club also possesses a surf lifeboat similar to the boats used in Australia on all surf beaches, and this has also rendered valuable assistance to exhausted swiinaiers. Club members who have played a prominent part in acquiring these magnificent new premises are Mr. Theo. Queree (president)^ Mr. A. H. Boss (chairman), Mr. E. Hughes (captain), Mr. E. Raven (secretary), and Messrs. J". Alexander, F. Chapman and J. Mowtell, who have been connected with the club for many years. The furnishings of the new clubhouse are being provided by an enthusiastic local ladies' committee, with Mrs. A.* Moran as chairwoman and Mrs. Ashenden as secretary. The original plans of the building, which is being built under the supervision of the City Council, were drawn by a club member/Mr. Harold Claridge. The premises will be ready for occupation in the coming season.