LIFE-SAVING PATROL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 242, 13 October 1938, Page 8

LIFE-SAVING PATROL

COMMERCIAL ASSET WHY PARAPARAUMU SHOULD HAVE A CLUB Strong exception to the attitude of certain business people of Paraparaumu, who have expressed themselves as not in favour Og the establishment of a surf life-saving club in that district, was taken by Mr. H. C Siaford at the annual meeting of th» Wellington District Surf Life-saving Association on Wednesday night. Mr. Sidford did not mention the obvious safeguard presented by the Xrmation of a patrol on a beach, but confined his remarks to the commercial viewpoint. The policy of not encouiaging surf clubs was a shortsighted one from this angle, because it was a fact that wherever a life-saving meeting had been held, an increases revenue to the shops and accommodation houses of the district had followed. At Tauranga the storekeepers welcomed the holding of a surf contest as giving a definite boost to their business. The formation of a club ai Paraparaumu might be followed b.» Wellington or even New Zealand championships. This meant the advertising throughout New Zealand ol Paraparaumu as a beach and holiday resort, with a consequent gain for the local shopkeepers. In Australia, the surf clubs had opened up many beaches to the public. In this connection he instanced Palm Beach, Maroubra, Cronulla, and olhei famous resorts. Not so very long ago Lyall Bay was considered a dangerous beach, and had remained so in popular conception until the public was reassured by the presence of the Lyall Bay and Maranui Clubs. This year the New Zealand championships were being held on an Auckland beach. Assistance by way of a grant was being given by the local body concerned, because that body realised the value of the increased business brought by such a competition. He thought that as an association the meeting should take strong exception to the attitude of the Fara-

paraumu business people in question. Mr. G. Perry advocated the holding of a life-saving demonstration at Paraparaumu as soon as possible, even before the opening of the Wellington clubs, if necessary.