AUSTRALIAN SURFERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 39, 16 February 1937, Page 6

AUSTRALIAN SURFERS

VISIT TO WANGANUI WEATHER CLEARS APPROPRIATELY ARRIVAL AND DEMONSTRATIONS The Australian surf life-saving team, which is on a tour of New Zealand. arrived in Wanganui yesterday afternoon, gave a demonstration at Castlecliff and at the Gonville baths, and attended a dance at night. They leave this afternoon for Hawera. The team was met at the Wanganui railway station yesterday by the president of the Wanganui Centre of the Royal Life-saving Society, Mr F. K. Turnbull, and the president of the Wanganui Swimming Centre, Mr P. L. Dickson, and later an informal reception was held at the Rutland Hotel, where the visitors are guests. At CastlcclifT At Castlecliff the beach demonstration was attended by upwards of 5000 people. Following the march j past of the Castlecliff and Australian . teams to music played by the Wanga- I nui Highland Pipe Band, a welcome j was extended by the Mayor of Wanganui. Mr W. J. Rogers, who said that the citizens of Wanganui were pleased to have with them such a fine band | of men, whose work was of such a humanitarian nature. He hoped that I they would enjoy their visit to Wanganui and that the life-saving teams in Wanganui would benefit from the experience gained with the Australians. In returning thanks for the welcome accorded them. Mr J. Cameron, manager of the Australian team, said that they were pleased to be able to help in a work which had already in Australia been the means of saving thousands of lives. They were, he said on an educational tour, but New Zealanders would find the Australians as readv to learn as to teach. At the call of the Mayor, three cheers were given by the crowd. Th? demonstration of rescue by reel and life-line given by the visitors was followed throughout with keen interest, and in addition advice on various points in drill and handling patients, together with resuscitation measures, ■»as furnished by the visitors. The -'rather was ideal for the demonstrate,)!, though the breeze from the sea was a trifle keen. At Gonville. Last night the visiting surfers appeared at a carnival at the Gonville baths, where several members competed in races. Notwithstanding the chilly nature of the evening there was a large crowd of spectators present. A. Hart (Bondi) was placed second in the men’s open dive, and J. Miller (Cronulla) and A. Carrier (South Narabeen) were placed first and second respectively in the 100 yards invitation scratch race. B. Hodgson (North Bondi) gave a demonstration of the backstroke over 100 yards, ms best time to cate for this distance being 66secs. A demonstration on the land of th<

various methods of release was given by the Australians, while paLs representing the Australians and the Castlecliff Surf Section gave a practical demonstration in the water of a release and rescue. A polo match between the Wanganui Swimming Club and the affiliated teams of New South Wales resulted in a win for he visitors by three goals to two, after Wanganui had led 2-0 at half-time. Following the swimming carnival at the Gonville baths the visitors were entertained at a dance at the Peter Pan. To-day’s Activities. This morning the Australians will pay a visit to Mr. (J. F. Moore’s Bushy Park homestead, being conI veyed in cars provided by several priI vate owners, in addition to two supplied by the proprietors of Yellow Cabs and another through the courI tesy of Dominion Motors. This afternoon the visitors will ' leave for Hawera by the New Ply- ■ mouth expresj,