During the discussion it was told how the opening of the Ocean Grove and Lighthouse Beach Estates had made the beach wide open for surfers and picnic groups.

Surf Club members Messrs. Freeman and Atkins, both of whom have spent considerable time working on Ocean Grove Estate, said they had witnessed the increasing popularity of the beach.

Mr Freeman said that as yet nothing serious had happened at the beach but with the Christmas period approaching, one could not be too careless where the safety of the public is concerned.

Due to the openness of the beach, currents and rips were very prevalent.

Boat Captain, Mr Ray McManus, stated that he saw a girl in trouble a month ago but she managed to reach the safety of land before assistance got to her.

He said that if she had not been such a good swimmer the position could have been altogether different.

It was suggested that the local club run out and inspect the beach at intervals on Sundays, apart from patrolling Flynn’s Beach.

This suggestion was squashed when Branch Superintendent, Mr Max Waters stated that by doing this it would be found that the public would become too dependent on the patrol being present.

Mr Waters said that it didn’t take long for a fatality to occur and this could happen the moment the patrol left the scene.

It was said that the Surf Club already had its hands full and could not afford to get involved in something which it could prove too big to handle.

The club decided to approach the council with a suggestion of placing signs on the beach warning of the danger to surfers and the fact that the beach is unpatrolled.

On the motion of Allan Dick it was decided to write to the Regional Director of Aviation in regards to obtaining a buoy which could be dropped from a plane in the event of a sea rescue in such time of utmost necessity.

Mr Dick said that if this method could have been used in the drowning incident at Shelley Beach a year or so ago, the fatality may never have occurred.

In the event of the buoy being obtained it will be kept a the Aero Club in readiness.

The new surf boat under construction in Sydney needs a name. The surf club is asking townspeople for suggestions, but so far has not had much response. The club would prefer not to use the name of a person, but is open to suggestions otherwise.

Names can be submitted to the surf club pavilion at Flynn’s Beach, or given to any surf club member.

Both Wauchope and Port Macquarie were deluged with over six inches of rain at the weekend.

However, it was Comboyne’s fall of almost 6 inches (581) points for the 24 hours ending 9am yesterday that contributed to a rapid rise in the Hasting River.