ROYAL LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 14963, 24 August 1912, Page 9

ROYAL LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY.

The executive, in- the second annual report of the Otago head centre of the Royal Life-saving Society, express satisfaction at the work done during the past season, al* though it was one of the most inclement experienced during the history of the province. Three clases in live-saving were conducted, and in all _ examinations the candidates showed a high state of proficiency in both the practical and the. theoretical work. The hope is expressed that successful candidates will during tho com. ing season preparo classes for examination, arid eo further the objects of the society. During January Mr Armour (the centre's energetic secretary) removed to Wanganui. and Mr G. T. M'Kellw.- was appointed to fill the. position. Ei;. <► meetings of the executive were held uuring the year, and the following awards were issued :—Diploma, Mr A. M'Millan : hon. instructors' certificates Messrs P. B. Foote. M. G. O'Dwyer, J. Douglas ; bronze medallions (28)— Messrs A. Findlay, G. Jeffs, A. Pereira, J. S. Paterson, J- M. Paterson, A. G. Herbert, W. M. Lyall, A L. Thomson, W. A. Jenkins, P. T. Ruston, H. H. Burrow, D. W. Stronach, R. M. Newman, 0. G. M'Kinnon, S. Burns, M. J. O'Dwver, J. Douglas, J- A. Kilmartin, W. A. Miller. H. J. Given, A. Burk, C. J. Edward.s, S. A. Foote, E. A. Foote, L. Irvine, J. Hogg, W. T. Goodeve, C. H. Simmonds; piorkfiency certificates 125) Messrs A. Findlay, G. Jeffs, J. Pereira, J. S. Peterson, J. M. Paterson. A. G. Herbert, J. Campbell, W. M. Lyall, A. L. Thon-ton. W. A. Jenkins, P. T. Rust-on, H. H. Burrow. D. W. Stronach, R. M. Newman, 0. G. M'Kinnon, T. Bums, M. J. O'Dwyer, J. Douglas, A. Burk, F. J. Given, AV. T. Goodeve, C. H.

Simmonds, C. J. Edwards, E. A. Foote, W. A. Miller, S. A. Foote, L. Irvine, J. Kilmartin. Arrangements have now been made with the governing body in London by which awards can be issued by each head centre to successful candidates under its jurisdiction. This will, of course, save the delay previously ocasioned through having to send to England before awards could be issued. The question of providing public bath 6 for the citizens is still in abeyance, and when Otago claims to be foremost in all national movements in New Zealand it only emphasises the fact that on this important question, which affects so much the health and well-being of our youths, Dunedin is the most backward of our cities. Public baths within easy access of the people have been established in the other three' cities of the Dominion, and even in such places as Timaru, Wanganui (six baths), Napier, Roelyn, and 'Milton. The executive are quite certain that public tepid baths handy to the City would be self-supporting, and would considerably foster one of our healthiest and most useful sports. It is hoped that when the third-annual report is tabled there will be a clause in it congratulating the City on having provided a good public bath. Two life-saving clubs were formed during the year—the St. Clair Life-saving Club and the Pacific Surf Club. These are now affiliated to the Otago head centre, and have a large membership roll. During the coming season clubs should be formed at Port Chalmers, Milton, and other towns where there are facilities for bathing. The balance-sheet of the society shows a, credit balance on the working of £24 8s sd. and a surplus of assets over liabilities of £26 14s sd.'