Life Saving Society

in Fiji Good Progress Since Inception in 1936

fTVHOUGH a number of attempts had J. been made at various times to estab lish a branch of the Royal Life Sav ing Society in Fiji, it was not until the

middle of 1936 that an organisation was formed on a sound basis in Suva. Dur ing the past two years it has made sur prising progress, with both Europeans and Fijians taking a keen interest in its activities.

At the end of June the first team of natives, 26 well-trained Fijians from the Queen Victoria School at Nasinu, under went examination tests for the Society’s awards. Their good performance reflect ed credit on the instructor, Mr. R. S.

Ridgley, a New Zealander.

The 1937-38 annual report of the Fiji branch shows that during the year 143 awards (an increase of 75) were gained by candidates, including 44 by pupils from the Suva Girls’ Grammar School and 98 from the Boys’ Grammar School.

Last year the Foundation President, Mr.

A.. S. de Montalk, resigned owing to ill-health and returned to New Zealand: Miss E. Boden, for a long time the only lady instructor, also resigned. The or ganisation’s finances are in a healthy condition, with a small surplus in the bank.

Officers for 1938 are: President, Mr.

J. J. Stubbs; Vice-Presidents, Messrs. J.

N. Pedersen, L. F. Garnett, and C. L.

Brock; Hon. Secretary and Chief Ex aminer, Mr. F. S. Baker; Hon. Treas urer. Miss G. E. Atherton; Australian Federal Council Representative, Mr. L.

R. McDonald; Chief Instructor, Mr. C.

D. Lamont; Deputy Chief Instructor, Mr.

G. Arthur: Deputy Chief Examiner, Mr.

G. W. Johnson; Executive: Messrs.

Stubbs (Chairman), Arthur, Brock, Gar nett. Johnston, Lamont, Pedersen, and Ridglev: Mrs. M. G. Irwin; and Miss G.

Atherton.

The 26 Fijians, who underwent examination recently for awards given by the Fiji branch of the Royal Life Saving Society. In the centre is their instructor, Mr. R. S. Ridgley.