LIFE-SAVING

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 19, 22 July 1932, Page 12

LIFE-SAVING

A RECORD YEAR

WELLINGTON CENTRE

' Gratification at the remarkable success, achieved by the Wellington Head Centre of the Royal Life-saving Society during tho 1930-1931 season was expressed last night at the annual meeting o£ the centre by the president, Mr. G. S. Hill, who said that the total of 1574 awards issued during the season constituted a Dominion record for any head centre. After congratulating the executive and the' honorary examiners, Mr. Hill said that the society 'was doing much for the people of New Zealand in safeguarding the lives of swimmers, and that, to his mind, was a "very great service.

The chairman of the executive committee (Mr. F. Chapman) talso expressed satisfaction at the work carried out during the season, and said it was probable that the results for the 1931-1932 season would be even better, as added impetus to secure awards had been given by a decision to permit Scouts to wear a badge on their uniform when proficiency was attained in life-saving. The annual report, which was adopted with acclamation, stated that a review of the ■ figures in connection with the awards disclosed apposition which could only be'described as remarkable. The record for awards gained by the Wellington Head Centie previously was 852 gained in the 1928-29 season. Last year, due to a large extent to climatic conditions, awards numbered 533, but this year's total of 1574 totally eclipsed all others. The competition for the SI A. Longuct Memorial "Shield (donated by the Wellington Rotary Club) was undoubtedly the main factor r in the securing of such a large number of awards, but even not counting one of the competition- awards tliere 'would have been a total of 54S gained, or au increase of fifteen over last year. Last ye<ir a total of -105 awards wcie gained by colleges, which this year entered for the Longuet Memorial Shield, .and taking this number as an average the competition secured a not'gain to the" society of-921 awards. MESSAGE FROM? KING. ■ An, indication'jof'the'interest taken in the Royal Ivife-saving Society by its patron, His Majesty the King, a"nd the manner 'in which* he" appreciates its -efforts was contained'in a copy of a letter from his.private secretary,- Sir Frederick Pousouby, to /the president of the society, the Right Hon. Lord Desboiough, K.G-, G.C.Y.O. .In his letter, Sir. Frederick stated thai heOiad' laid" before' the King the report of the Royal Life-saving Society for 1931; and" HisiMajesty was much gratified to Jear_n that in spite of the pre* sent'financial restrictions, 'neVer in^ the history of the society! had ,so much enthusiasm been shown or so much voluntary work given ungrudgingly, which was proved- by the record number' of 74,323 awards made,during tho year. The King, he stated, wished'him'to convey to Lord D.csborough, and all who had so ably assisted in the work, his appreciation of the success.that'had been achieved. The fact that no less than 500 people 'were rescued from 'drowning ,every year bore ample testimony.. to the work that, was being' carried on by the society throughout the Empire. GENERAL BUSINESS. Although the ■ Eastbourne Life-saving Club was only brought into being towards I the end' of last season, a prominent member of the club, Mr: W. J. Beveridge, in- 1 formed the meeting that a reel and a dis- j tinctive costume had been- obtained and that the, club would bfi taking a. very active part in the during the coming 'season. ■ . ! It bad been intended to take the op-1 poitunity at the' meeting to present Mr. W.',H.'Gerrie with'the Distinguished Service Medallion avoided by the council in .England in recognition of his long and valuable work' on1 behalf of *the society, but those present weic unanimously oi the opinion' that the presentation should berniade on a more auspicious occasion. , It. was decided to ask the vice-patron, -His "Excellency the Governor-General, to make the i presentation at. one of the first big surf meetings of the coining seabon. Owing to the discontinuance of the Government, grant and the reduction in the Macarth'y Trust grant it was decided that the charges tor award examinations should ,be ■ increased.. On the motion Mr. N. A. Ingram, it was decided that the maximum number of members :elected to the "executive committee should be'fifteen. The following officers were elected:— President, Mr.1 G. S. Hill; vice-presidents, Miss Vi M. Greig, Miss A. M. Batham, Messrs. H. P. Kidson, O. C. Odlin, B. G. H. Burn, W. A. Armour, T. C. A. Hislop, R. Semple, M.P., E. S Williams, lan Duncan, W. H. Gerric, T. Queree, and Dr. D. Macdonald Wilson; hon. trustees, Messrs. G. S. Hill, J. McN"io, and F. Chapman; chief bon. instructor, Mr. J. A. Duffy; assistant hon. instructor, Mr. J. F. Alexander; hon; auditor, Mr:.H.;B. G. Walker; lion, secretary-treasurer, Mr. N. A. Ingram; executive committee, Messrs. F. Chapman (chairman), J. F. Alexander, -Tl. B. .Hughes, A. Dore, J. Foley, W. Griffon', D. J. Hunter, J. Mo Nic, W. J. Beveridge, V. .Allen, H. Dickson, E. S. Williams, L.vßegg, E. A. Raven, G-. S. Guppjy aud Mr. Hislop (Eastbourne club); hon. district representatives, Mr. W. Dickson and Mrs.jW. Davies (Masterton), Mr. B. S. Knox (Hutt Valley), Mr. J. H. Moore '(Nelson), Mr. A. J. Stewart (Paekakaviki), Mrs.- R. Pickard (Cartcrton), Mr. J. Wichell (Otaki). The appointment of' the 'honorary examiners, the delegate to the New Zealand council, and the representative at -Blenheim was leEt -to the- executive: committee 'to deal with. '