GOVERNMENT HUMANE GRANT.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 133, 28 July 1911, Page 4

GOVERNMENT HUMANE GRANT.

“In New Zealand swimming and lifesaving receive much Government assistance,” 'says Air William Henry, chief secretary of the Royal Life Saving Society, in his annual report. “In the first place,” lie continues, “£IOO was annually granted by the 'treasury in aid of the acquirement of humane knowledge. This sum was paid to the swimmnig association, but for come reason it had not been fully expended to promote the interests of the object for which the amount was granted. The Government also give a grant of 2s Gd for each child taught to swim, but 1 understand that in Dunedin few, if any, claims have been made. I visited one school in that city, and found that out of 150 scholars present only twelve could swim ten yards. However, hopes arc entertained for a better state ok affairs in the near future, as an agitation is on foot for the provision of municipal covered baths, as the water in the open is much too cold for teaching swimming for life-saving; yet tiie idea of covered baths seems to be strongly opposed by a medical gentleman, which, to me, seems rather strange, as I. always understood that the medical profession was strongly in favour of bathing, thus giving an opportunity for. a clean and perhaps healthier body. As a result of this opposition the baths question has been shelved for a time, a very short time, I hope.”