GALLANTRY REWARDED

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 80, 1 October 1940, Page 4

GALLANTRY REWARDED

EESCUES FROM SEA (

RETONE Mm

There was a representative .gathering in the Petone Borough -Council Chambers last night to congratulate .Mr. A. ZFishburn, jun., of the Esplanade, Petone, who has received 'the silver medal of the Royal Humane Society for his courageous work in* saving life from drowning.

The presentation iceremony took place after the regular fortnightly meeting of the Petone Borough Council. In addition to councillors and their wives, those present included .representatives of the Koyal Humane Society, the Here'taunga Boating Club, j the Petone Rowing Club, the Hutt Valley :Motor-boat Club, the Petone Sea Scuts, and the St. .Augustine Boy ; Scouts Guests .of the evening inSdHrand Mrs. J A. senior and junior, Miss Fishburn and Messrs. It. Nelson, W. Brady, A. Pepper, and.Constable S. Higgins. witnesses of 'the rescues. . J Mr J C Burns, acting Mayor ol Petone, welcomed the guests, ,and presented Mr. T. -£. A. Hislop, Mayor of Wellington, who attended in : his capacity as vice-.prfisident .of the Royal Humane Society oi New .Zealand. Mr. Burns noted the fact that it -was probably the .first time in .history 'that a Mayor of Wellington had visited the Petone Council Chambers. Mr. Hislqp ireferred to the excellent relations •existing between .city and borough, particularly in the closer co* operation occasioned since She outbreak of war. He paid ra .glowing tribute to Mr. Kshburn and .his work .in saving Jife in Port JSTicholson. Mr. iFishburn's exploits were known to all who lived on the borders oi the harbour, and air were very grateful to one who had given such sterling service. Mr. .Hislop xead newspaper accounts of 'three rescues carried out by Mr. 'Fishburn in 'his launch.

One of these, which .occurred late in April, was the subject of the awar.d. Mr. Fishburn braved heavy seas .and a strong gale ;to rescue :a -fisherman whose boat had overturned. After his own dinghy had been twice upset, he reached his launch, got under -way, and managed to rescue the .exhausted fisherman. Heavy weather caused .him to put in ,at -Somes Island. Other rescues in the few weeks .preceding this incident included one of .a drifting fisherman's boat, .and .another of the Takapuna class yacht Nukumai and her crew. They were three of a number .of similar incidents.

"The Royal .Humane.Society does not .give away its .awards lightly," said Mr. Hislop. "It-makes appoint that no .one -should receive ;an .award who lhas :not done :sDmething out of rthe way in' ■saving life from the -waters. . It is a privilege to take -.part, on ibehalf ..o'f ;that society, in honouring someone who has proved worthy :to have .iiis name .reI corded in its annals."

Mr. -Burns added the congratulations, of the council and.people of Petone. Sir Thomas "Wilford had once -described •Petone as "the cradle of champions,", and this continued ito -be true.

Other speakers included Mr. I. T. Watson (-Petone ißowing .Club), Mr. ,E. TCennedy CHutt itfalley Motor-boat ■Club), Mr. A. Pepper, Mr, P. F.. Coira (honorary correspondent of tthe Royal Humane Society}, and Mr. 'H. Stutter (vice-commodoi:e of -the ;Heretaunga Boating Club). Mr.: Stutter said that in.recognition of his seivvices!Mr. ;Fishtburn had been elected ;a life member of the Heretaunga ClUb at its .annual meeting that night.

In .a .brief reply, "Mr. Fishburn said that he merely done his duty, and that he had expected no reward.