ARTILLERYMAN'S BRAVE DEED.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 981, 23 November 1910, Page 4

ARTILLERYMAN'S BRAVE DEED.

SWIMMING THROUGH THE KTT7R,A sailing boat with four men aboard; was upset in the harbour yesterday mornj ing off Eau Point, and its occupants wer© left for a time clinging on* as best theycould, and in a. dangerous plight. .The water was comparatively calm, otherwise there would in 'all probability have' beensome loss of life. The mishap to - tho boat, a craft of the fiat-bottomed variety; carrying a big sail, was observed by Gunner Saunders, of the Permanent Artillery, from the hill above Kau Point He immediately, gave the alarm at. the Artillery Bay camp, but did not wait for a boat to arrive before going to the rescue. At considerable risk he swam cut through the kelp for about a hundred yards and carried a lifebelt and line to the'.spot, where the four , men were clinging to' the overturned boat. . Soon .after* wards ,a Government launch, which had put out from : Mahanga Bay, came upon; the scene and took the men on board, .

Failing this assistance the services of Gunner Saunders might have been of the utmost value to' the whilom - occupants of the Kawiti,' the capsized. boat, as they could have been pulled ashore on the line. The occupants of the boat, Mr. Skew, its owner, and Messrs. Slater, Ellis and' M'Guirk, were given a change of clothing and otherwise attended to at the, iVitiltay camp. They are now little the worse for their experience. The boat was towed'te shore by the. launch. . Major'Hume, is of opinion that Gunner Saunders acted -with commendable bravery and promptitude. He intends to report accordingly in the proper quarter,