"HEART OF A LION."

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 13

"HEART OF A LION."

LATE M.P.'S COURAGE,

ONCE PRONOUNCED DEAD.

(By Telegraph.—Parliamentary Reporter.)

WELLINGTON, this day.

How a member of Parliament was found unconscious" in Ms . room, and declared by a doctor to be dead, and yet a few hours later was again addressing the House, was revealed to-day by Mr. H. M. Rushworth when making an appreciative speech concerning the late Mr. J. S. Fletcher.

"He was a physical weakling, suffering from the ravages of a terrible complaint, but his courage was outstanding," said Mr. Kusliwortli. "Hβ had the courage and heart of a lion. During one all-night sitting of the last Parliament I had to go" up to the Independents' room about 3 o'clock in.Jhe morning. I found Mr. Fletcher stretched out on the floor, and a doctor who was present pronounced life to be extint-t. Mr. Fletcher was declared to he dead within the precincts of this House!" Mr. Rush worth went on to tell how Mrs. Fletcher took charge of her husband, pumped adrenalin into him, and eventually restored him to consciousness. A few hours afterwards, at the morning sitting, Mr. Fletcher was addressing the House , with his customary fire and enthusiasm.

"I think it is true to say that Mr. Fletcher died many deaths," commented Mr. Rush worth.