ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 25, 29 July 1926, Page 3

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY

MANY AWARDS MACE THE ANNUAL BBPORT. \ The anual report of the Boyal Humane Society of New Zealand shows that the number of awards made since the formation of the society now totals 598, made up as follows:—128 letters of commendation, 196 certificate*, 142 bronze medals, 99 silver medals, 8 gold medals, 25 "in memorium" certificates. A number of applications have been received which it has been impossible to deal with on account of the socity's rule which provides that applications must be made within twelve months of the date of rescue or attempt to rescue. The reason for this rule is fairly obvious. A limit "of time most be imposed to ensure that authentic Information and eorroboration is secured. The following is a definition of eases recognisable by this society for honorary reward:— . (1) All rescues or attempted rescues from drowning in rivers, lakes, canals, docks, wells, or reservoirs, provided the rescues or attempted rescues art accompanied by a certain amonnt of personal risk. (2) All rescues or attempted rescues on the coast of New Zealand. (3) All cases of exceptional bravery in rescuing or attempting to rescue persons from asphyxia in mines, wells, blast furnaces, or in sewers where foul gas may endanger life, also in rescuing or attempting to rescue persons whose lives may be endangered by fire, or in any other way seriously in peril. (4) All cases where life has been restored from drowning or asphyxia by means of resuscitative treatment. The objects of the society are:— (1) To bestow rewards upon all who promptly risk their own lives to save those of their fellow creatures. (2) To provide assistance, as far as it is in the power of the society, im all cases of apparent death occurring in any part of New Zealand and Dependencies. (3) To restore the apparently drowned or dead, and to distinguish by rewards all who, through skill and perseverance, are, under Providence, successful. (4) To collect and circulate information regarding the most approved methods, and the best appliances to be nsed for such purposes. For the purpose of carrying out the first of these objects five classes of rewards have been founded, viz.:— (1) The gold medal. (2) The silver medal. (3) The bronze' medal. (4) Certificate of merit on vellum or parchment. (5) Letter of commendation. Also the "Stead Gold Medal," awarded only for very conspicuous acts of bravery. The society is in need of funds to carry on its work; but ior the grant received from the New Zealand Government the society could not carry on as Subscriptions and donations do not meet the expenditure. The hon. correspondent of the society for Wellington is Mr. P. N. Bundle, from whom further information may be obtained.