Retired Inspector’s Arrests.
Inspector J. S. Jones, who has been in charge of the Kogarah police district since
June. 1932, retired from the police force yesterday, after 37. years’ service. He recalled
that, when he was stationed at Manly for 17 years from 1902, it was his duty to arrest
surfers who entered the water between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m.

“I made many arrests,” he stated. “The law prohibiting bathing is contained in the
Police Offences Act, and it is still in existence, though it Is not officially recognised. , The law has never been enforced since a newspaper reporter in about 1903 decided to defy
the authorities by entering the water, fully clothed. He wanted to be prosecuted to
direct public attention to the public demand for a repeal of the Act, but though he was
not prosecuted his action ended the enforcement of the Act.”

“If the Ideas of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mackay, were carried Into effect,” he
said, “the force would be lifted up In the eyes of the public.”

The Sydney Morning Herald Thu 13 Jan 1938 Page 7
WHEN SURFING WAS ILLEGAL.