LIFE-SAVING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12069, 26 July 1917, Page 5

LIFE-SAVING.

HALL SHIELD AND COLLINS CUP

TROPHIES PRESENTED TO-DAY. The president of the Canterbury Head Centre of the Royal Life Saving Society, Mr H. F. Wigram, attended the Normal School this afternoon, to present the Sir John Hall lifo saving shield, which is open for competition to the primary and secondary schools, to the winners, the Normal School team. Mr Wigra-m was accompanied by Mr Frank M. Collins, member of the executive of the. Royal Life Saving Society, who had donated a. silver cup for competition among teams from the primary schools, and by Messrs K. Bassett (chairman), I. Wat kins, H. B reward and B. S. Knox, also of the R.L.S.S. There was a large assemblage, of scholars, hesides the head master, Mr C. T. Aschman, teachers and representatives from other schools which, took part in the competition. Mr Aschman referred to the. objects of the gathering, and introduced Mr Wigram and members of the Royal Life Saving Society Mr Basset-r addressed the children on. tho subject of life saving, and stated, that Sir John Hall's desire in giving th 0 shield several years ago was to encourage life saving competitions among school children. He gave a. brief sketch of the history of tho competition. Tho shield was first, competed for during 1909 and was won by the Sydenham School. The Sydenham School was successful the following year, and subsequent winners were West Christchurch (1911, 1912 and 1013). and Normal School (1914, 1915, 1916 and 117. Of the nine competitions six had been won. by 'teams coached by Mr Wyn-Irwin. ' The work in thel last competition had been excellent. Normal School No. 1 team had wo_n, scoring 347 points; Normal School No 2 was second, with 324 points; and the Boys' High School team was third with 300 points. Mr Bassett said it had been recognised that boys of the primary schools had little chance* of securing the shield against the older boys of secondary schools, and, with a. view to encouraging the primary schools, Mr Frank M. Collins had donated a silver cup for competition among the boys of those schools. This eveut"had also been won by the Normal School boys. Mr Bas&eti- congratulated the winners and hoped that the interest in the contest* would increase and that all schools would eventually take part in them. Mr Wigram, who was received with applause, said he was greatly pleased to ho present to hand over the shield to the winners. He reminded the children that there was no greater work than that of life saving, and he urged all present to make themselves efficient in that servhe. Owing to the many rivers and the sea-girt coast of New Zealand, there was much soope for work in life saving, and much good service had been done. Mr Wigrmn congratulated tho winners and congratulated Mr Wyn-Irwin on hi?< enthusiasm and on the fact that he had acted .as instructor to so many of the successful teams.

Mr "Wigram then handed the shield and medals to the winning team, the members of -which were: Mr "Wyn-Irwin (instructor) and Masters Richard Hitchings, James Gasson, Hedley Reynolds and Jeffrey Ascluiian. The trophies werf presented nmid applause. _ Mr Frank M. Collins, donor of the silver cup, who was also applauded, said that ho had hoped that "the competition avould have boon arranged, for hoys and girls, bur. the Hoy.il Humane Society thought otherwise, 'and the. cup was awarded for the hoys. He hoped, however, that arrangements would bo made for a girls competition in the future. Competition was the life and soul of everything, and his desire was to see all the schools of Christchurch and district taking part in the, contests. Instead of three teams taking part, as in the last competition, there should be thirty. It was a line thing to seo boys and girls wearing medals and Possessing certificates gained in life saving efficiency.

Mr Collins then handed his cup to the winners, the Normal School team, amid enthusiastic applause. The mimes of the team were:—Mr W. S. *> (instructor) and Masters "\V. Moffatt, F. Reinian, I. H. Balkind and A. S. Jacobs.

Mr Aschrnan, replying on behalf of the Normal School, said that the school was pro'iid oi : its position in the. life saving contests. The Sir John Hall Shield was an old friend. The school qrtirit was .<• good one, and if another school won the shield tho boys of Normal School would be the first to say "Good on you." But the Normal School teams would do their best to win tho troph'es each year. Mr Aschrnan also spoke of the sporting side of competitions and of their value in establishing character. In all competitions the game must be played fairly, and a fine f.pint had been shown in the life saving contests. Mr Aschman ex pressed his thanks to Mr Wigram, Mr Bassett and to other members of the Royal Life Saving Society who had attended, and to Mr Collins, who had so generously donated the cup for competition among teams of the primary schopls The gathering concluded with hearty cheers for .Mr AVigra.m and other life, saving officials, for the enthusiastic instructors, Mr Irwin and Mr Wauchop, and for the winning and losing teams.