SURFING AND LIFE-SAVING

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 124, 21 November 1935, Page 8

SURFING AND LIFE-SAVING

(To tho Editor.)

Sir,—The devotion to surfing and the practice of life-saving are two outdoor sports of a national character followed by an ever-growing section of our community. Followers of these healthgiving and cleanly sports, who will in no small measure partly constitute the future virile race of young New Zealanders so necessary for the development of our Dominion, and who will take their part as worthy citizens in the progress of this country are apparently to be retarded in their progress and discouraged' in their initiative and willingness to devote part of then- leisure time to a public service on our beaches.

This viewpoint is unhappily apparent from the article appearing in the issue of the "Post" of the 19th instant, and it is indeed time that some of the city's influential citizens accepted the responsibility of the part of mentors and advocates of the surf life-saving clubs, members of which unsparingly give of their leisure time during the summer months, so that the young and inexperienced and sometimes foolhardy section of the public may enjoy the freedom and safety of our beaches and surf.

City councillors should make it their busmess to see that such organisations receive practical help to carry on their gratuitous public activities, and encouragement in the splendid national developmental work they are carrying out as regards the building up of character, discipline, and bodily health amongst the large membership of their clubs, composed as they are, in the mam, of youthful members. Wellington should not lag behind other centres in this regard.—l am, etc.,

FATHER OF THREE, November 20.

(To the Editor.i Sir,—lt is with much surprise that I notice in last night's "Post" the attitude .the Wellington City Council is adopting in respect of the clubhouse owned by the Maraiiui Surf and Lifesaving Club. I think that every seri-ous-thinking citizen should object to the attitude the City Council is taking up—an attitude which in my opinion is not understandable. The surf clubs'in Wellington and also the surf clubs throughout New Zealand are carrying out a work for which the country is indebted and I think that they should receive every support.from both the local bodies and the Government. I trust that the council wi 11 reconsider its decision and give the Maranui Club some tenure of occupation that will assist the members of the club in their self-imposed duty. —I am, etc., KELBURNITE. November 20.