Drowning has claimed far too many lives in Aotearoa. Our wild beaches and network of rivers proved so fatal in the 19th century that drowning was referred to as 'The New Zealand Death'. In the 1950s things didn't seem to be that much better, with public information campaigns reminding parents that a child died by drowning every week.

This slide was produced by the 'National Prevent Drowning Committee' which worked with the Internal Affairs Department. Their mascot was an owl called Ruru who urged the public to 'Learn Water Wisdom'. In an effort to reach Maori some of Ruru's messages were printed in Te Reo. 

The presence of Ruru dates this slide to the 1950s- as does the different design of the surf lifesavers' flags. This particular slide was shown in Paraparaumu- but with Foxton being a seaside town it is almost certain that it would have been screened in Horowhenua just in time for summer. 

If you are interested in reading more about Ruru's campaigns you can read a thesis here 

 https://researcharchive.vuw.ac.nz/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10063/2981/thesis.pdf?sequence=2 

Inscription on reverse reads: “Thought to be local photograph, W Thorley. Negative Turnbull Library”

Sand dune belt on the West Coast, Horowhenua Region, with Tasman Sea in the background.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

An unidentified small child stands in the sand with his bucket and spade lying on the ground at an unidentified beach. Behind him an adult is kneeling in the sand with his / her back to the camera.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Written on back with black ballpoint pen: “Hokio Beach”

Two men and a dog sit outside a tempory shelter on the sand dunes at Hokio Beach. The Hokio Stream is in the background at the right.

1 B&W photo print – damaged (creased)

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Horowhenua Historical Society Inc.”

Black and white photocopy of two photos joined together.

Houses at Foxton Beach riverfront looking north, c.1920. Photocopy of two joined photographs forming a panarama view showing five houses and seven people.

Black and white photocopy.

Any use of this image must be accompanied by the credit “Foxton Historical Society”