The Star. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1922. LIFE SAVING SOCIETY.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 October 1922, Page 6

The Star.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1922. LIFE SAVING SOCIETY.

DeUvered ©very evening by 6 o'clock in Hawera. Manaia, Normanby, Okaiawa. Eltham, . Mangatoki, ' KapoDga, Awatuna. Opunake, Otakeho, Manutahi, Alton, Hurieyville, Patea, Waverley, Mokoia, Whakamara. Grangai, Meremere, Fraser Road, and Ararata.

The motto! of. the Royal Humane Society which gives awards for the saving of life is that if a man sees^: another human being in danger he is bound to make an attempt at rescue. One feels proud that, with not many exceptions, this feeling is born and bred in the average Englishman, and is an outstanding trait of British character, as innumerable events all over the world in recent years have borne out. It has been responsible for much good work which has resulted in the saving of many lives and, where this unfortunately has not been possible, in many heroic and unselfish attempts to save life. So it is that the formation of a "branch of that society-in Hawera deserved generous assistance from everyone, and in a community especially where seaside or river resorts attract large numbers of people it should be almost considered a public necessity. It is fortunate that at the resdrfs which serve Hawera, and" where very large crowds flock, there has been small loss of life during the years they have been used. This, however, cannot be giveii as a sound argument for allowing society which was formed a year or two ago, in which life has just

glimmered, to go right out. The few, • who have struggled to keep life in the ! feeble body have naturally been disappointed that the response has not , been better. It is not as though much money was required. The subscriptions received have enabled the purchase of an up-to-date reel, and this is, or was, stationed at the Waingongoro beach for use as soon as there could be gathered a body of :..;n, or women, for it is assumed that the latter could do the '.work of .rescue, if required, with the energy and,enthusiasm*to carry out*the designs of the schemJj. These actually are the essentials Tor success. Perhaps now-that the matter has been made public some few can be found amongst the Swimming Club,: especially those who are regular habitues of the beach, to take the matter in hand, If once these are found we feel sure that there will be a response, and that there will fee a reawakening of the slumbering society. Some funds will, of necessity,' be required, but that will be no trouble at all if the enthusiasts <r,n be found. It will be a chance for the young people to learn not only the art of life-saving, i-but also the resuscitation of the apparently drowned. These can be taught at the baths, and should go hand in hand with the teaching of , swimming. We hope, that there will be ah immediate response, and that the Swimming Club committee will take up matter and give it a start in the assurance that oi\ce launched on a proper footing the scheme will rather way as it grows. It will he an interesting work if the enthusiasm -of assistants can be kindled. There is scope for good, useful work which may at any time be of inestimable value in

having human life. In any case prevention is better than cure, and a knowledge of the work may prevent tragedies-from bathing accidents which, ffi spite of human care and warning* do happen. The occasion demands a vigorous policy. It is an urgent call to those who Have the ability, and we feel sure^ the call will not be made in vain.