ST. CLAIR BEACH.

Evening Star, Issue 19770, 21 January 1928, Page 10

ST. CLAIR BEACH.

TO TUIS BDITOU. Sir,—As a member of the Bondi Surf Bathing Club I would like to say a lew words in respect to tilings I have noticed during my stay at St. Clair. In St. Clair Beach you have one of the finest and safest beaches in New Zealand or Australia, but to my idea you do not make the best of it—why, I don’t know. You have a life saving club, but for all tbc use it is you may as well have none at all, lor if the members do not take a keen interest in its affairs and put the necessary “ ginger ” into the work the club will soon take the downward path. All sensible swimmers know that the safest place to bathe is between the (lags (or buoys, as used in sonic centre"), but if the person responsible for setting the flags docs not sound the water, see (bat there arc not “ pot- “ holes ” or nnder-currents, and dually fake note of the backwash, a swimmer would bo just as safe to bathe wherever he chooses. About two weeks ago an unsightly conirivance with a bell attached was placed on the beach: a warning hell,' I suppose, but lately f have seen it thrown to one side. H was not much use in the first place, but whore it now is.it is neither use nor ornament:. Thev also tell me that sometimes the lifebelt and reel are placed on the sands, but when it is required at all it is always out of sight. During the school holidays, when the weather is glorious and there arc so manv children and grown-ups at St. Clair, .1 think it would be advisable to place the reel and flags correctly every morning in Urn best available places, as there are dozens of people, even women, about who no doubt could save a life if the opportunity came their way. Then, again, .why not have a ladies’ life saving club? They have them in Australia, and you would bo surprised how keen and enthusiastic the lady members are during competition time. Personally 1 think the Surf Bathing Club lacks what tbc Yankees would call “ pop,” but let us hope it will learn in time.

One morning of this week 1 noticed a chirk brown young man of fine athletic physique go about 200yds into the breakers and bring out a young JaTiy who had been caught by the undcrcuirenL, and endeavoring to battle against it, was becoming very weak. Had it not been lor the prompt action of this swimmer no doubt the young lady would have been carried out to sea. However, the unfortunate young lady was none the worse for her thrilling experience, only suffering slightly from shock, and she was very soon able to be sent borne, 1 endeavored to locate the young man and have a chat wuii him "on bis prompt, quick-thinking action, but lie bad disappeared. So slipped from public notice one of the many versatile swimmers who risk their lives for the safety of others.—l. am, etc., L. M. Pkebuks, Jan. 20. Hon. See. Bondi S.B.C.