[press association.] HUMANE SOCIETY.

Evening Post, Volume LXXX, Issue 94, 18 October 1910, Page 3

[press association.] HUMANE SOCIETY.

AWARDS. .CHRISTGHURCH, 17th October. The annual meeting of the Court of Directors of the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand was held to-day. Application for recognition was made on behalf of Alice Wratt (13 years) and Ruby Agnes Wratt (20 years) for attempting to rescue Elsie Selina Wratt (14) from drowning in the Waimakariri River on 24th January, 1910. It was decided to grant each of the first two named a letter of commendation. Application was made on behalf of Albert Edwin Bull (7 years) for rescuing Violet Emily Bull (2£ years) from drowning at Peel Forest on 14th May, 1910. A framed certificate was granted. Application was made on behalf of Douglas Percival M'Callum (22" years) for rescuing Leo. Stopworth (10 years) from drowning at Hokitika, on 30th June, 1910. It was resolved to grant a framed certificate. Application was made on behalf of Thomas Robert M'Pherson (37 years) for rescuing Edward' Crouch (38 years) from a fire at Auckland on 16th August., 1909. The facts of this case were particularly meritorious. On the evening in question, M'Pherson was passing the Strand Arcade, Auckland, when he heard a crash of glass, and saw the names issuing from the third shop on the Jeft side. M'Pherson ran into the Thistle Hotel, and rang up the fire brigade, and on gaining the street, he saw a handbag fall from one of the /windows. On looking up he noticed a man on the window-sill at the third story. The man was calling for help, and M'Pherson took his hat and coat off, and scaled the fire escape, which only went half-way up the building, and finished the ascent by placing his hands and feet in nicks in the wall. After that, he had a 12 inch cornice to mount, and a 4ft palisade, at the end of which was a turret. He mounted that, and was | then able to reach the man A who 2*»

badly burned, and in great pain. Had the rescued man struggled there wa« nothing but death for ttoth rescuer and rescued. The greatest bravery had been j displayed, and it was decided that the highest award — the Stead Medal— should be granted. This is the second occasion only on which the Stead Medal has been awarded, the former recipient being Staff-Sergeant-Major Redmond. [Staff-Sergeant-Major H. Redmond is a son" 'of Mr. T. Redmond, of Wellington, and is well known here. The gallant deed which earned him the Stead medal resulted in the saving of five lives.]