LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1928, Page 7

LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY

MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE. A meeting of the executive of the Taranaki Head Centfe of the Royal Life Saving Society was held last night. Those present were Mr. W. Brodie (president), Misses Z. Saxton and N. Gardner, Messrs. W. N. Stephenson, R. G, Howell, W, Moorhead and L. Frethey (secretary). Before business was begun the opportunity was taken to express the appreciation of the society of the worlt done by Mr. Stephenson, who was president for three years, and to welcome Mr. Brodie, his successor. It was decided to apply to the Borough Council for permission to hold a collection day on the last Friday in March. The awarding of certificates of proficiency to Misses C. Weston, E. Baily and V. Webster, and bronze medallion# to Misses B. Gayton, C. Weston, E. Baily and V. Webster was confirmed. It was reported that a young lady had recently had a seizure or fainting Gt in the water at Ngamotu. Although there were about 5000 people on the beach no effort was made to remove her from the water, nor were any of a life-saving team informed. She was left sitting up in the water for about a quarter of an hour. When members of the team took her out she was still unconscious and extremely cold. When a doctor arrived it took him three hours to restore her. It was gratifying to note that he employed the same methods as were used by the team. It was time, continued the member, that they extended their sphere of instruction. He mentioned that on some beaches an alarm bell was rung in cases of emergency, at the sound of which it was compulsory for everyone to leave the water. If they could raise enough money, and with a subsidy by the Borough Council, they could supply an alarm bell, said Mr. Stephenson. What they really wanted was more members. It was really a national affair, said Mr. Howell. The best way of instructing people, he thought, was through the pictures. It was resolved to approach the council in the direction suggested. A sub-committee consisting of the chairman, Messrs. Stephenson, Howell and Moorhead was appointed to go into the matter of providing alarm bells at Ngamotu beach and East End. Mr. Howell was authorised to spend a sum not exceeding £5 10s on repairing a damaged reel and to communicate with the Oakura beach committee with reference to its being housed there. It was decided to hold the Tabot Shield competitions at Opunake on March 3, and to hold a special meeting on February 21 to appoint judges. A vote of thanks was passed to Miss E. L. Dowling for a donation. The chairman, Messrs. Howell, Stephenson and Frethey were appointed a committee to visit the various school# in New Plymouth to stress the' importance of and make arrangements for instruction in life-saving.