DANGERS OF SURF BATHING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15706, 7 March 1913, Page 8

DANGERS OF SURF BATHING.

DISCUSSION BY THE DOMAIN BOARD. At yesterday's meeting of tho Ooean Bcach Domain Board some discussion was aroused relative to a communication received from the City Council drawing tho boards attention to the apparent dangerous naturo of tho 6port of surf bathing, which is now being indulged in by increasing numbers ut the St. Clair and St. Kilda. beaches. The letter stated that the two drowning fatalities which occurred recently, and otner accidents which had happened previously, seemed to emphasise tho need for some responsible body to give tho whole question of surf bathing its serious consideration, and as the board controlled the beaches and foreshore adjacent it would perliaps look into tho matter with a view to taking action in such a manner as might bo considered would best meet the circumstances. Mr "Burnett said that any surf bathing that took place on the Ooean Beach was without the consent of the board. . Hio Chairman (Mr J. H. Hancock) stated that everything that could bo done' was being done to protect surf bathers. The St. Clair Life-saving Club had been formed for the purpose, and its members patrolled tho beaches whilo .surf bathing was taking place. Mr Burnett said that he had been told that so muoh skylarking went on, in the water that it was very difficult 'for anyone to tell whether a man was drowning or not. .Mr White said he was inclined to think that as the beach was so dangerous surf bathing should bo prohibited altogether. He understood that a by-law to that effect had been passed by tho board. Tile Chairman said that, although there was such a by-law in existence, it would bo practically impossiblo to'enforce it. Every sport carried with it some clement of risk. Mr Hamel said he thought it was right that the matter had been brought tinder the notice of the board. He did not agree with Mr White that 6urf bathing shculd be prohibited. At tho fame time it seemed to liim that the board should make quite sure that every precaution was being taken for tho safety of bathers. Ho thought it would bo a good idea to ask the executives of tho Life-saving and Surf Bathing Clubs to meet the board at its next meeting with a view, if it wne thought necessary, to framing bylaws and otherwiso safe-guarding tho lives of surf bathers.

After some further discussion it was resolved that tho secretaries of ths St. Clair Life Saving Club and Pacific Surf Bathing Club bo written to inviting thoir Executive Committees to a conference with the board at its next meeting.'