DROWNING.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXV, Issue 13057, 27 April 1910, Page 4

DROWNING.

It is a sad fact that each year sees an increase in tlio total number of deaths by drowning' in the Dominion, notwithstanding that new an’i additional public baths and other facilities for learning the art of swimming are constantly being provided in various towns and cities. The statistics for the last ten or twelve years show that die increase in the number of drowning accidents is quite out of proportion to the increase in population. In 1898 the number of deaths by drowning was 119, whereas last year the total readied 234. These figures wore quoted in the report presented to the householders by the Wanganui School Committee on Monday evening as a strong argument in favour of the compulsory teaching of swimming in our public schools—a proposal the “Herald” has frequently emphasised and supported. The report rightly emphasises the gain to the nation if proficiency in swimming were made compulsory, and we have little doubt that the time is not far distant when the necessity for such compulsion will be recognised by the authorities,and effectually put into, force. It is very satisfactory to hear that so many of the children attending the District High, and Queen’s Park Schools are efficient swimmers. Wanganui is fairly well supplied in the matter of public baths: five in all—the Corporation, the Hoys’ and Girls’ Colleges, the District High School, and Wanganui East, and next year one will-be available at Gonville. With these and the river facilities, in a few years it should bo quite the exception to find any of the rising generation in the town and suburbs unable to swim.