GALLANT MAORI LAD

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 79, 27 December 1928, Page 8

GALLANT MAORI LAD

GIRL RESCUED FROM SURF DASH ON HORSEBACK INTO BREAKERS Dominion Special Service. Auckland, December 26. A gallant and spectacular rescue of a young woman from drowning was made by a Maori lad, Martin Kereopau, aged 13, at Raglan on Christmas Eve, telegraphs the “Sun’s” Ngaruawahia correspondent. A young man, accompanied by a girl friend, went out fishing in a dinghy in Raglan harbour near the bar. There is always a strong tide rip at this point, and it is increased at the ebb tide. The dinghy was caught in the strong current and, helped by the ebb tide, it commenced to drift towards the bar. The young woman, becoming alarmed and being a strong swimmer, jumped overboard and endeavoured to swim to the beach. The current, however, was too strong for her and she was soon in difficulties. From a neighbouring sandhill the Maori lad Kereopau took in the position at a glance. Spurring his Maori pony into a gallop he dashed down the sandhill and across the beach, headlong into the boiling surf. Horse and rider sped to the rescue, aud after a long and arduous struggle Kereopau managed to seize the now inert body of the girl and put her across his saddle. Despite the extra burden, the plucky little pony successfully fought its,. way back to shallow water, and rescued and rescuer landed on the beach. Carrying the unconscious girl across his shoulder, the young Native struggled up the beach. The lad’s mother had noticed the thrilling rescue, and while he was away she prepared a trench in the hot sand. When be returned with his apparently lifeless burden she placed the girl in the hot sand and then summoned assistance. Dr. Sturtevant arrived, and after a considerable time was successful in restoring the girl to consciousness. The crew of a launch noticed the perilous plight of the girl’s companion in the dinghy and secured the boat after it had crossed the bar. The Maori’s action is regarded as particularly gallant, and an effort is to be made to bring it before the notice of the Royal Humane Society.