SWIMMING SHOULD BE COMPULSORY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19237, 26 November 1930, Page 15

SWIMMING SHOULD BE COMPULSORY.

LIFE-SAVING SOCIETY HOLDS ANNUAL MEETING The annual meeting: of the New Zealand Council of the Royal Life Saving Society was held last evening. Present: Messrs G. E. Billson (Wanganui), president, J. Jackson (Hawke’s Bay), B. A. Brown (Manawatu), F. J. Glackin (Otago), F. J. Lawrence Scott (Auckland). The president said that the repprt was very satisfactory. It was pleasing to learn that a new head centre had been established at Palmerston North. The financial position was sound, though the small amount of money available would have to be carefully handled. The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted. Patron, his Majesty the King; vice-patron, his Excellency the Governor-General; president, Mr G. E. Billson; vice-presi-dent, Mr B. O’Neill; lion secretary, Mr F. J. Lawrence Scott; hon treasurer, Mr F. J. Glackin; hon auditor. Mr P. N. Quartermain; hon solicitors, Messrs Johnston, Mills and White. A letter was received from the Canterbury Head Centre advising that It would support the motion that the rule regarding the strength of surf ropes being a standard breaking strength of 4801 b be deleted from the council’s rules. The Wellington Head Centre wrote objecting to any mention of the breaking strength of lines being included in Rules of Competitions. Two remits received from the Canterbury Head Centre for the annual conference in March, were. “ That it be a recommendation to the New Zealand Council to purchase a trophy for competition among all clubs and schools in New Zealand, to go each year t.o the club or school obtaining the greatest total number cf points for awards.” “ That it be a recommendation to the Minister of Education to make swimming and life-saving compulsory for all physically fit pupils in all schools where facilities exist.” It was decided that Rule 16 of the New Zealand Council’s rules, that, “Standard lines for competitions shall be a manila or cotton rope having a breaking strength of not less than 4801 b” be struck out. A redraft of the Nelson Shield rules was passed, subject to the perusal of a sub-commit tee. The clause that service lines should have a breaking strength of 4801 b in the William Henry Memorial Trophy rules was deleted. It was decided that an allocation be made to the centres of the Government grant of £l5O in proportion to the amount of work done.