SURF LIFE-SAVING

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23004, 6 October 1936, Page 14

SURF LIFE-SAVING

ANNUAL MEETING OF BRANCH The annual meeting of the Otago branch of the New Zealand Surf Lifesaving Association was held last evening in the St. Clair Pavilion, Mr J. L. M'lndoe occupying the chair. ANNUAL REPORT Moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the chairman said that the branch had completed a highly successful and eventful year, and, although only a comparatively small body, had fulfilled its part in Dominion surf life-saving administration. The finances were in a .'ery sourid position, and the branch was indebted to the Dunedin City Council and the Otago Head Centre of the Royal Life-saving Society foi generous donations received during the year. The branch, during the year, had been entrusted with the control of the national surf championships, and he believed that it had fully justified the confidence placed in it by the New Zealand Council. No effort was spared in preparation for the event, and exceptionally good entries were received. People might ask if the branch was carrying out its functions, and to this he would reply definitely in the affirmative. St. Kilda and St. Clair Beaches were not safe beaches for inexperienced swimmers, and the entire absence of fatalities during the year was evidence that the life-saving clubs were carrying out their duties. In this connection it might be advisable to impress on the public the necessity for bathing between the flags, so that, if anyone did get into difficulties, competent men would be at hand to look after him.- Commenting on the New Zealand tour of the Australian lifesaving team, Mr M'lndoe expressed regret that the date allotted to Otago made it impossible to accept an appearance and meet the necessary financial commitment of £SO. This was a great pity, as a visit from such a team would have been an inspiration to clubs and individual competitors. Mr H. H. Henderson seconded the motion and congratulated the. branch on the success of the year's activities and the state of its finances. They all knew that it was with some misgivings that the New Zealand Council had allotted the championships to Otago, but at the conclusion of the carnival the officials from the north were loud in their praises of the efficient manner in which the meeting had been conducted. The most arduous part of the year's work had fallen on the shoulders of the president, and so conscientiously had he carried out his duties, especially the organisation of the championships, that the season had been a particularly successful one. The report was adopted. OFFICE-BEARERS The election of office-bearers resulted as follows:—President, Mr J. L. M'lndoe; vice-presidents—Messrs H. H. Henderson, D. C. Bannatyne and J. R. Callender; honorary secretary, Mr J. M. Rodgerson; honorary treasurer, Mr I. L. Turnbull; delegate to the New Zealand Council, Mr T. F. Buckley; district board of judges—Messrs H. H. Henderson, J. L. M'lndoe, J. M. Rodgerson, A.

Findlay, D. C. Bannatyne, A. J. Kingsland and J. Alexander; district board of examiners—Messrs H. D. Gillies, J. Pereira, A. J. Kingsland, J. Alexander, J. M. Rodgerson, A. Findlay, D. C. Bannatyne and J. E. Salisbury; gear inspector, Mr J. Pereira; delegate from Otago Head Centre, Mr A. Findlay; club delegates—Messrs H. D. Gillies and H. James (St. Clair), A. G. Beadle and J. M. Rodgerson (Oreti), St. Kilda delegates to be appointed; honorary auditor, Mr J. R. Callender. GENERAL Mr H. D. Gillies drew attention to the piles, which were still showing on the beach in front of the Esplanade. These were of no use whatever in their present state, and they should either be pulled out or boarded up. They were a potential statj jf danger, as if a life line became caught on one of them the barnacles would fray it through. It was decided to write to the Domain Board requesting that the piles either be boarded up or removed.