EMPLOYER SAVED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 126, 31 May 1938, Page 11

EMPLOYER SAVED.

MAORI TO RESCUE.

FIRE DESTROYS FARM HOUSE.

(From Our Correspondent.)

TAIHAPE, Monday,

A farm house at Raketapauma, near Taihape, occupied by Mr. James McDonnell, aged about 83, was burned to the ground about midnight on Saturday and but for the courageous action of a Maori employed on the farm, Mr. McDonnell might have lost his life. As it was, he had a very narrow escape and was admitted to tile Taihape Hospital suffering from shock.

There were four occupants of the house, Mr. McDonnell and his son, Mr. T. McDonnell, a Maori, Mr. Fernie Whakatihi, and a housekeeper. The fire had a strong hold a«d the building was blazing fiercely when the occupants awakened.

Mr. Fernie Whakatihi, who has an artificial leg, immediately entered the room where Mr. McDonnell, sen., was sleeping and carried him to safety. The rescuer was almost overcome by the flames and emerged with his burden only just in time. Mr. McDonnell suffered severely from shock.

The other occupants escaped in their night attire. The dwelling was an old one and burned like matchwood. This is the third time Mr. Whakatihi has saved a person's life. He lost his leg while rescuing a boy who was caught in a reaper and binder machine, and later went to the aid of a person who was pinned down by a ear near Taupo and saved the man's life by lifting the car. Mr. Whakatihi was a prominent footballer before he lost his leg.