SAFETY OF BATHERS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 December 1924, Page 8

SAFETY OF BATHERS

REEL FOR FITZROY BEACH. CAMPAIGN FOR FUNDS. CARNIVAL TO BE HELD. At a public meeting held at Fitzroy last night under the auspices of the Fitzroy Surf Club, it was decided to organise a large carnival, to be held some time in February next, in order to obtain sufficient funds to purchase a life-saving reel and equipment for use on the Fitzroy beach. The opinion was expressed that the provision of a new reel to replace the present old one was a matter*of necessity from the point of view of public safety, and it was further maintained that the carnival should 'be established as an annual function to further popularise the Fitzroy beach.

The chairman (Mr. P. E. Stainton) opened the meeting by explaining that the object of those who called it was to devise ways and means of obtaining funds with which to purchase « new life-saving reel. The worthiness of the object was unquestionable, bat the point at issue was whether the club should obtain the money by direct canvassing or by conducting a carnival. The secretary of the chib (Mr. C. S. Foibesi explained that the reel at present in use was discarded some time back by one of the other surf clubs and was resurrected for the Fitzroy Chit’s •benefit last January. The Royal LifeSaving Society, he believed, was unable to supply the club with a new reel through lack of funds, and even if they did .procure one during the coming year it was unlikely that it wouid go to the Fitzroy Club. The club would probably get the next oldest one. The committee of the surf chib, he concluded, were not keen on canvassing; they preferred to give the public something for their money, and were therefore in favour of a carnival.

Mt. A. Saxby stated that the Fitzroy School, the boy scouts and the Fitzroy Seaside Committee had all signified nr willingness to help. In reply to a question it was staled that the membership of file Fitzroy Surf Chib at the present time was about 160.

After further discussion it was decided to take action .as stated, and the following were elected a carnival committee: —Messrs P. E. Stainton. M. D. Stagpoole, W. N. Stephenson, A. J. Kibby, O. Johnson, C. Stewart. J. Buttimore, L. Richards, A. E. Lewis, A. Roberts and A. Gilbert, and the committee of the surf club ex officio, -with power to add. It was decider! to ask Mrs. Simpson to form a ladies’ committee to control the afternoon tea arrangements.

A resoftotion was passed making it a recommendation to the committee to hold die function in February, and to make it an annual one.

It was decided to forward to Mr. W. C. Weston a letter of thanks for Ins generosity in donating a sum of £1 Is towards the funds.