WELCOME BY MAYOR

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 5

WELCOME BY MAYOR

SURF ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE. APPEAL FOR PRACTICAL SUPPORT. An appeal for practical support by the public of the work being done by the New Zealand Surf Association, its district associations and the clubs under its jurisdiction, was made by the Mayor of New Plymouth, Mr. E. Gilmour, last night. Mr. Gilmour made his remarks in his speech of welcome to the delegates to the third annual conference of the association, held at New Plymouth in conjunction with the national championships. “Most of the people in New Zealand have access in some way to the beaches scattered along New Zealand’s extremely long coastline,” he said. “Sea bathing is a national pastime, and it is very necessary that at every resort there should be a surf life-saving club properly equipped. “The surf association is doing excellent service to the public in this respect, for I doubt if there is any important seaside resort in the Dominion without its surf life-saving club. At New Plymouth there are several clubs, providing reels at Paritutu, Ngamotu, East End, Strandon, and Fitzroy beaches. Members of the clubs sacrifice their time and leisure in patrolling the beaches, keeping their equipment in order, and making themselves efficient in the art of lifesaving. In the agregate, the members of clubs have saved hundreds of lives. They are doing a most praiseworthy work, and are doing it willingly and enthusiastically, without personal remuneration. “The association is, therefore, justly entitled to the goodwill of the public, and to its assistance apd support, both moral and practical. I am afraid that the practical assistance you have received in the past, and are receiving at present, is inadequate for the services you are rendering. I can only hope that the public will treat you better in this respect in the future. “You all represent clubs holding a high position in the esteem of the public, and I have no doubt that, you will justify the trust which has been placed in you. Every team cannot win, and, so long as you strive to win fairly and squarely, and act as good sportsmen should, you will have done all that your club expects of you.”