MEMORIAL TO SURFER

Taranaki Daily News, 13 March 1933, Page 9

MEMORIAL TO SURFER

JOHN WILSON CUP AT OPUNAKE. CLUB TEAMS’ ANNUAL CONTEST. The rnejppry of a friend and a valued member was honoured by menibers of the Opunake Surf Life-,Savfog Club at Opupake yesterday, when four club teams competed in a fouy’-man alarm event for the John M, H. Wjlsqn Me- < morjal Cup and medal?. The competition was fegeni the wprfa efficient and- the trophy yra? gained by'L, Brown’? teafo, consisting of Brpwn in the belt, L, Donnelly as tlje yeelman and resuscitator, J. O’Connor as the linesman and'J. Carson as the patient. The four teams were covered by five marks. The cup js computed for by Opunake club teams in March each year, John Wilson was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. J. D. W, Wilson, London,. Mr, WjL son being a retired banker. John was a public schoolboy who game from England to New Zealand under the Taranaki Chamber of Commerce's scheme and made his home with Mr. Tony Layarfi, Pungarebu. Later he joined the Opunak§ §urf .Club. Early in March, 1929, the Opunake Surf Club sent its team to New Plymouth io contest the Tabor Shield "Taranaki, surf. life-saying- chgnte pionship and "wrested it from Old Boys for the'first time.- John Wilson was in the important beltman’s position and he as well as the support made-fastest time and scored maximum marks for his team. A week later he died in the public hospital. Before the next swimming season had concluded Mr. and Mrs. Wilson had forwarded to the club the fine silver trophy members now compete for, with the request that it be contested in the manner thought most suitable, to be ft mark of remembrance of all that the club had moant to John Wilson and all that John Wilson’s friendship meant to the club. Since then four-man foams have competed for the cup and the medals that Mr. and Mrs., Wilson send out each twelve months, oh a day in March as close possible to .foe.. anniversary of the . • There was scarcely need to remind people, of the reason for the competition, said .Mr...J.- N.. Stephenson, president of. the club, at the trophy preseptaion after the contest, At that time of the year the thoughts of most of them ,turned towards the boy whose memory the cup perpetuated. Mr. Stephenson detailed the sequence of the winning pf the shield and foe beifman’s sudden illness and death: „ “He was a splendid stamp of club member,” said Mr. Stephenson. They were grateful to Mr. end Mrs. Wilson for 'the interest they hadtaken in their son’s old club so small and so' far away, Mr. Stephenson called Mr. J. Feaver, who knew'Mr. and Mrs.. Wilson personally, to forint the trophies.. Mr. Feaver referred to the advance in years and its recognition now not only as a pleasant pastime fort as , ft-. useful attainment fohn Wdsnn -had- been an wt pf door? boy and <>h epmwg to ? Strange country he had- down the wwcus, tomed differences.': “If the young men pf the surf club? took.:John Wilson as an’ example ' of- conduct, v concluded Mr. Feaver, "they cepld not go for wrong." Mr.-Feaver then presented Brown with the cup and the foam members with foe medals. , . Conditions for the competition, were good, there being 3 medium surf running with a slight chop on the surface raised by a westerly wind. The tide was fully out and the beach was hard and level,. -.' Pointe were, awarded under the following headings:'Getaway 5, beltman’s time-M 'heltman’s care pf pattent 20, handling reel and line and taking over patient 15, resuscitation 20, promotion of warmth 15, total I®®The placing® were: L, Brown s team, 3.12, 29M 18,75, 13,75, 18.50, 7,15; 91,67 points, 1. B. S. Dudley’s team, 4.12, 30, 18.25 12.87, 17.50, 7.37; 90.11, 2. A. Sinclair’s team, 4.00, 29.40, 17.00 11.50 17.75, 7 50- 87.15, -3. P, Smith’s team, 3.62, 27.60, 18.75, 12.12 ; 16-75, 7.62; OBM, 4. The officials were: Judges, Messrs. W. H Haggett and g. M. Smith; marshal and referee, Mr, X N, Stephenson; timekeepers, Dr. Griffin and Mr.’ N. Reardon.