LIFE-SAVING

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 14, 17 July 1934, Page 3

LIFE-SAVING

GROWTH IN SCHOOLS

ROYAL SOCIETY'S AWARDS

A list showing the awards of tlio Eoyal Life-saving Society gained during the season in comparison with those of last season is appended to the tweuty-fourth, annual report of the Wellington head centre "of the society. It is noted that "while the totals for the year compare favourably with those of last year, the names of two Wellington colleges which have previously been conspicuous on the list are this year missing. "This'is due, uo doubt, to the inclement weather conditions which prevailed- during the year, especially towards the end of the season, which is the period when tho majority of the awards are gained. It is noticeable, however, that most of the colleges and clubs show a slight increase in the number of awards gained this year as compared with last year." Tho total number of awards gained in.tlio Wellington district in the 1933----34 season'was 561, exceeding by 2 the previous season's total. , Tho 'numbers of the various awards issued, with the numbers for the previous season in brackets, aro as follows:1— Primary school breaststroke certificates, 73 (48); elementary certificates, 141 (125); proficiency certificates, 173 (132); bronze medallions, (145);, bars to bronze medallion, 7 (34); honorary .teachers' certificate, 0 (9);. honorary instructors''certificates, 11 (24); awards of merit, 11 (40); bais to award of morit, .3 (i). The chief increase is among the lower awards,.'which points to the. fact that many schools are now showing more interest in life-saving instruction work. In tlio primary schools, a greater number of children than previously qualified- for the breaststroke, elementary, and proficiency. Tliq 'greatest number" of awards by any single institution was gained by Solway College, Masterton, which also won the Longuet Memorial Shield. Wellington Boys' College was second, one award behind, with 50. Third on the list was the Maranui Surf and Life-saving Club,' with 51 awards,.some of which wore, however, omitted from the previous report. ..The Maranni Club has a higher number, of' awards than any organisation other'than a: college. Its list.comprises 15 of both elementary and proficiency certificates, 15 bronze medallions, 2 instructors' certificates, and 4 awards of merit. Fourth place was occupied by the Wellington Technical College, with 45 awards, and Wellington East Girls' College was fifth with 43. Others included in the list are:- Mrs. Davics's class, 35; Clyde Quay School, 28; Eastern Hutt School, 26; Hutt Valley High 'School, 24; St. Matthew's Collegiate School,- 24; Hutt Central School, 20; Island Bay Surf Club, 18; Blenheim Amateur Swimming Clu.b, 18; Marsden School, 17; Springlands School and Swimming Club, 17; Worser Bay Life-saving Club, 16; Hataitai School, 13; Fcatherston District High School, 11; South Wellington School, 10; Queen Margaret College, 10; Waiwhetu Schoo,l S; 'Blenheim Borough School, C; Blenheim Convent Parish School, 4; Dillon Point School, 3; Blenheim Intermediate School, 2. ,