TARANAKI LIFE-SAVING.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 July 1933, Page 9

TARANAKI LIFE-SAVING.

REVISION OF ’/HE RULES. MEETING AT NEW PLYMOUTH. A meeting of the Taranaki Centre of the New Zealand Surf Life-Saving As-, sociation was held at New Plymouth last night, there being present Messrs. H. Weston (president), S. M. Smith and J. Stephenson (Opunake), A. C. Sims and M. Berge (East End), W. Moorhead (Fitzroy), W. H. Haggitt, J. A. Clouston, C. H. Stephenson and Perkins (Old Boys), secretary. The main business of the meeting was the consideration of the report of the special committee set up to revise the constitution and rules of competitions in New Zealand, ' The revisions were summarised under ten headings and were considered separately. The main features of the report with the decisions and recommendations of the centre are as follows: — (1) Entirely new drill for reel work. This was passed with the" recommendation (a) that the clause regarding linesman’s feet being slightly apart be altered to well apart, and that the linesman stand side-on to the men; (b) that in view of confusion of whistles in running competitions in heats no breaker signals be given by: the captain; (c) that for the same reason a distinctive means of signalling be allotted to each team; (d) that preparations before a competition be reduced to a minimum; (e) that for starting off the patient a pistol shot be used; (f) that judging of teams should not begin until after the ballot for places. (2) Elimination of the support in water work. East End objected to this section, but Opunake contended that it was in accordance with Australian practice and therefore had been well tested for efficiency. This was the view taken by the meeting.

• (3) One time test only—from patient, go, until beltman reaches patient. It. was pointed out 'that this gave the' position of the patient an importance not previously recognised. East End again objected, but by a majority of votes it was carried.

(4) Elimination of promotion of warmth in all competitions; and (5) land drill cut in half and promotion of warmth eliminated. Opunake voiced the. feeling of the meeting in condemning over-long land-drill, but with East End declared for the retention of promotion of warmth after water work. This was carried. (6) Running the competitions in heats and finals where necessary. This was opposed by East End on the grounds of confusion, but was agreed to by the meeting in view of the time saved and the added interest for spectators. It was recommended, however, that no finals be held, and that a time allowance be made after each heat. (7) The William Henry memorial to be a beltman’s time test only. No points for other work and no resuscitation. This section was referred back to the committee with the recommendation that the competition be run on the same lines as in other years. The remaining three sections, allowing ordinary cotton costumes, and caps for water work, fixing the position of the buoy at not more than 200 yards from shore, and stressing the importance of speeding up competitions, were all approved by the centre. Special recommendations by the committee regarding the use of the Australian rules in all places where they did not conflict with recommendations of the committee, concerning the alteration in the timing for resuscitation, and about the special anchoring of buoys for championships, were discussed and approved. It was decided to recommend to the committee that Taber Shield and Pennant competitions be run on . the same lines as the William Nelson Shield. Power for at least two judges in coordination to withdraw from a competition any team misbehaving was also applied for. The Opunake delegates asked that in view of the distance travelled in attending meetings of the centre a grant be made for travelling expenses. The idea was favourably received, and a new line was granted in lieu of expenses. Mr. J. Stephenson reported that Mr. E. H. Gray, Pungarehu, had offered to donate a shield for a march-past competition, the conditions to be drawn up by the Opunake Club. The centre thanked Mr. Gray for his interest and generosity, and left the arrangements necessary in the hands of the Opunake Club.