FOR BRAVERY.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14883, 24 January 1914, Page 4

FOR BRAVERY.

HUMANE SOCIETY'S AWARDS.

Several awards for Bravery were conferred at a meeting of tho Council of the lioyal Humano Society yesterday. There were present at the meeting:— Colonel Slater (presiding), Canon Bean, and Messrs R. C. Bishop, J. A. Frostick, and E. Smith (secretary). The following cases were dealt with:— RESCUES FROM DROWNING. Case of Eric H. Battershill (16), for rescuing Norman Ryun (15) from drowning at Waipawa,- Hawke's Bay, on September 13th, 1913. The facts were: —Ou tho date stated above, Norman Ryan, who went in the water after a football, was suddenly swept off his feet into very deep water by the strong current, and being unable to swim, could not regain , tho shore, but was carried swiftly down tho stream. Eric Battershill, who was noti-' ficd of the accident, after running across the field, went in fully dressed and rescued Ryan, who was then in a much exhausted condition. Tho swiftness of the current made It very difficult for the rescuer to gain the shore. A bronze medal was awarded. ■ Case of Jens Marius Matheson (19) and William G. Beckett (20), for rescuing Mrs Keyworth (50) and Dorothy Keyworth (11) from drowning at Hikapu Beach, Pelorue Sound, on October I9th, 1913. The facts were : —On the afternoon of October 19tn, 1913, Mrs Keyworth and her daughter Dorothy were out in a boat, when-, without warning, a very strong wind sprang up, consequently capsizing the boat, which turned over several times. The occupants being unable to swim, managed to hold on to the sail of the • boat for some littlo time, but soon became exhausted, and gave up hopes of ever reaching tho shore alive, when Mr J. M. Matheson, a "Danish sailor, without removing his clothing, quickly jumped into tho water. Being clad in heavy suit and! bier boots, he with great difficulty and I "risk to himself kept Mrs Keyworth I and her daughter afloat until Mr Bock-j ett swam out and assisted in keeripg the boat from turning over, until help i wns secured. They were then .insisted j ashoro in a very exhausted condition, j A bronze medal was awarded toj each. I THE INDRABARAH WRECK. Case ot Frederick tiarry Earl, A.8., on the steamer ludrabarah. > The facts were that Frederick Harry Earl attempted to swim with a line attached to his body with the object of establishing communication with tho shore, for the purpose of passing the crew ot the itrandixl steamer ludrabarah on shore by means of a life-line. The weather w.-is very stormy at the time, and the attempt was made under very dangerous conditions. He swam out towards the shore and made vigorous attempts to get on shore, but was prevented by tbe heavy breakers and strong tide from accomplishing' this, j He struggled until exhausted, and was j then rescued with great difficulty by Mr W. A. Adcock, second officer on. the Indrabarah. A bronze modal was awarded. A BUSH HERO. Case of George Tasman Dawson (49), for rescuing ten employees from death at Colac Bay on October 20th. 1513. On Monday, October 20th, 1513, at 3 p.m.. Mr Dawson was conveying logs

from the bush to Mr Nassey's sawmill at Colae Bay by means of a locomotive and trollies, when one of tho bridges collapsed, and the locomotive and trollies .all went down into tho gully, a depth of 20 feet, with Mr Dawson among the debris and wreckage. His right arm was torn out of the socket, tho right hip being badly injured, both le°s and hand scalded by the glasstuue, etc., breaking off, which rendered him unconscious. After gaining consciousness he dragged himself up the steep side of the gully, over logs, etc., in order to save the lives of the other bushmen who ho knew would soon 'oe following on their jiggers. Ho managed to plare an 8 by 5 piece of wood on the rail to warn them of the dnntcer, and then became unconscious. When tho bushmen ju rived f-ome time later ho w.'is still dazed and in a semi-conscious condition. A rough stretcher was constructed, and Dawson was conveyed home, n distance of three miles. Mr Bishop said the case was'a splendid one. He moved that the Stead Gold Medal, tho award thnt could be conferred, ."-fronld bf» firnntpd. This was seconded by Mr Frostick, and carried.