LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 14637, 5 August 1911, Page 10

LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

Tho following report will he submitted at tho annual mooting of the Otago Head Centre of tin- Royal Life-saviiig Society : Tho Executive!, in submitting the first annual report of tho Otago Head tJeutre of llio Iv.L.S. Society, an.: pleased to state that since cho inaugural mooting, following; on tho visit to Utmedin of Mr Win. lienry, tho chief secretary, a steady rate of progress has been •>intained. Much preliminary work has been accomplish, d, ;i..d . 0.. i,. ~ ~.-.: Otago Head Centre is established on a linn basis the way is clear to expand

its usefulness and its inrluoneo. Including the inaugural meeting, on November '-"J, there have been three general meetings of tho Otago Centre and two meetings of the executive. As at present constituted, the executive is too unwieldy, numbering 30 members, and it is hoped that at this animal meeting tie number may be reduced to eight active members. The membership list of the centre shows a roll of -I'd. On November -J iir Wm. Henry, chief secretary of the society, visited Ihmodin with a view to stimulate local interest in life-saving. Tho branch are greatly indebted to the rector and the. Board of Governor'; of the. Otago Hoys' High School for having granted the use of the bath in which to conduct examinations. It is with regret that the executive view tho apathy of the, citizens of Dnnodin on the question of providing public tepid baths. The want of tepid baths is 'felt more and more with each season. True, the growing popularity oi Miri" bathing h'ups: foniewbat to supply the need to those living at tho seaside, and for thoso having considerable leisure: hut the dangers attending surf bathing require, more than ever before, .-! knowledge of life-saving, and there can be no question that in our climate adequate instruction in this direction can never be imparted-until tepid baths are provided for th- City. For the purpuso cf showing the great benefits acoruine: from a knowledge of life-saving, exhibitions wore given during the summer at Port Chalmers, IJroad Bay, St. Cluir Baths, Alaeandrew Buy, and at the new baths at Port Chalmers. The executive tender their thanks to the gentlemen who promoted and carried oik these displays. It was with great regret that ihe Ofae/o Centre received the resignation of Mr J. C. K. Kihbahl as i:on. secrntary. Mr Sibbald was "■ most energetic secretary, ardently devoted to Ihe objects of the society, and it is inainlv owing to him that the society Mas formed in D'-ui-eilin. The executive feel that, the Oieigo H<\-d Centre have. met. with a severe loss, for Air Sibbald way most enthusiastic in his work as secretary, as an honorary instructor, and in giving up so much of his leisure time to displays and demonstrations of life-saving. .Sir W. A. Armour was appointed :-:oerot;iry at a general meeting held on June -'•>. The. balance-sheet .shows a surplus of assets over liabilities of To lis or]. In conclusion, the executive desire to tender their thanks J. C. Marshall for his generous donations, and to tho Press for reporting various meetings.