Untitled

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2129, 2 March 1908, Page 2

THE DROAVNING CASE.

The drowning accident by which a young Aucklander lost his life in the AY'aimata River last evening is one of those unfortunate occurrences that will always be liable to happen until those responsible for educating our children realise the proper place that swimming and life-saving should tako in the lessons that are taught. It was only on Saturday that we drew attention to the necessity of organising a salvage corps in this town, for the purpose of safeguarding property in case of fire, yet how much more important it is that provision should bo taken to avoid loss of life! It is, of course, quite possible tliat cramp incapacitated the victim in the present instance, but it seems more than probable that the lad was not sufficiently experienced to venture far out of his depth. Even were cramp the cause, it must be remembered that a person, who has been thoroughly taught the art of swimming and floating can keep above water for a limited period even when taken by cramp. It seems inconceivable that a lad could be drowned in broad daylight, within sight of a dozen or more bathers, most of whom could . swim, yet this is what actually happened. The fact of the matter is, that of those present probably not one had ever had any experience in life-saving methods, and when the emergency came no one was prepared to do the right thing at the right moment. Gisborne has exceptional facilities tor bathing, but, as we frequently have reason to realise, this also brings additional dangers, and there is many a narrow escape in which an element cf good fortune prevents a fatal ending. It is to be hoped that when the new swimming bath at the school is completed, a thoroughly live club will be established, and that instruction in life-saving will be one of its principal objects. It may be taken lor granted that this will also be taken up in regard to the school children. There is really no necessity to wait ror the completion of the school bath before a branch of the Life-Saving Society should be formed in Gisborne, for the two rivers flowing through the town provide ample facilities lor training in this work. Scarcely any subject is more important or more urgent than this, for on- some of our hottest days almost a fourth of the population finds it necessary to cool off by a refreshing dip in one of the rivers, and the risk of drowning fatalities then becomes very pronounced.

PASSENGERS AND MAILS. It really seems from recent experience that as the time goes on Gisborne people receive less and less eonsidoratien from tlio hands of the steamship companies, and also from the postal authorities. On Saturday the steamer from the South, which usually arrives in the early morning, did not put in an appearance until the afternoon. The night before it was known that tho Alauuka would he late yii account of carrying exceptionally heavy cargo, but the information given to a “Times” reporter was to the effect that she might he expected to arrive at about 10 a.m. This information- was published, and persons lnving friends to meet made their arrangements accordingly. Tho result was that they were kept waiting abohl until affcor 2 o’clock in the afternoon before tlio southern passengers wore landed. It appears that an accident had caused tho further delay. These matters can possibly be explained, and wero the case an isolated one, it might, perhaps, bo passed by, but similar delays aro becoming much too frequent to bo pleasant. It was only tho other day that the boat for the South which should have left on Sunday night was delayed until tho following Alonday morning. Tho result of these irregularities is to cause an immense amount of inconvenience to townspeople, but still more to those from the country who make their arrangements to got into town at a certain time, only to l tied that they must, figuratively speaking, “kick their heels” at the wharf for a lengthy period. The local manager, of course, is not responsible for these annoyances, and does his best to minimise their effect, hut there is undoubtedly a strong feeling becoming prevalent tliat with the steamship companies “anything will do for Gisborne.” in regard to our mail service there is equal cause for complaint. The postal officials cannot bo blamed for the non-arrival of passenger steamers “on time,” but in view of the fact that Gisborne is so badly served in regard to the regular service it might be-.cxpccted that no effort would be spared to ensuro its being maintained as perfectly as possible. Yet the steamer Fanny, which could have brought the southern mails from Napier on Friday night and landed them in Gisborne first tiling on Saturday morning was allowed to leave Napier without them, with tlio result that they wore not available until late on Saturday afternoon. All this means not only inconvenience but a grave dislocation of business. A local resident also complains of negligence on the part of the postal officials in the despatch of mails sont from this port, and declares that recently a friend to whom he had addressed three important communications, all of which were despatched to catch three separate mails, arrived at their destination simultaneously. Then again there is the old trouble of the Auckland mail which, arriving in town on Sunday, is not sorted until Alonday morning. As we have pointed out on former occasions, it is simply outrageous that a Gisborne business man may be anxiously awaiting a letter from Auckland, but if it is posted on a AVcdnesday morning lie cannot get it until ■the following Alonday morning, particularly in view of the fact that- it lias probably laid in the local post office from the early part of Sunday afternoon. There is certainly ample scope in Gisborne for a Citizens’ League or somo body that will take up such matters as those mentioned, and also the question of a continuous telephone service, and agitate till the disabilities are remedied. In the meantime, what is everybody’s business is nobody’s business, and Gisborne is exploited for tho benefit of all and sundry.