THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1949 BEACH DANGERS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 58, Issue 4105, 25 February 1949, Page 4

THE Hauraki Plains Gazette With which is Incorporated THE OHINEMURI GAZETTE MONDAY, WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY “Public Service” FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 1949 BEACH DANGERS

This is the school picnic period of the year and the seaside is the choice of most committees and teachers. Two incidents within three days emphasise the risk, often unrealised until too late, of children bathing in large numbers when conditions are turbulent and a strong undertow develops. At a beach near Dunedin on Saturday seven college girls were swept off their feet and three lives were lost At Opunake this week seven district high school pupils also were trapped by a strong tow and only prompt and gallant rescue efforts prevented a loss of life. These are grave warnings that should be taken heed of all over New Zealand. There is real happiness and enjoyment for children on the Dominion’s beaches and their annual picnics under appropriate conditions are long remembered. But the Bea’s moods cannot be trusted ; where children enter the water in lai»< numbers the strictest rules should prevail and any sign of an undertow should lead to a prompt decision not to allow bathing.