HUMANE SOCIETY MEDAL

Evening Star, Issue 22889, 22 February 1938, Page 16

HUMANE SOCIETY MEDAL

PRESENTATION TO MR W. R. MXOAMACK The Royal Humane Society’s bronze medal fox- life saving was presented last night at Port Chalmers to Mr W. R. M'Cormack. The circumstances were that a sailing boat recently capsized in a squall near Goat Island and its four occupants were thrown into the water. ' A young man, W. Johnson, was drowned; he could not swim. Mr M'Cormack was sailing the boat, and with him were also a younger brother and another schoolboy (C. Smith). M'Cormack, being a good swimmer, succeeded in keeping the hflys afloftt until Mr L. R. Ward rescued them in his yacht’s dinghy. The boys were then unconscious. The presentation of the medal took place last night in the Council Chambers before the council meeting commenced. It was a public function, and was attended by members of aquatic clubs and others; by Mr H. H. Henderson, Otago representative of the Royal Humane Society, and Mr A. Campbell, M.P. Mr M'Cormack’s mother had a seat on the platform with the mayoress (Mrs T. Scollay), who pinned the medal on the recipient’s coat amidst applause. ' The Mayor said he had been asked by the society to present the medal, and it was a pleasure to do so. It was an honour to he presented with such a medal, and he congratulated Mr M'Cormack on having attained that honour. Fortunately, for the two boys whose lives were saved, Mr M'Cormack had. learned to swinfi when in his boyhood days. Every boy should learn to swim. There were now two bathing beaches at Port Chalmers, and all the boys and girls should learn the art. Mrs M'Cormack had reason to be proud of her son. Several speakers added their congratulations. Cr D. Forsyth, deputy mayor, in doing so, said he considered it was an honour and a privilege to he present. Bravery had always been admired. There was the unpremeditated bravery performed in ,the heat of battle; tne bravery of fliers and explorers, also the bravery of risking one life without any thought of possible advantage, such as in this case—the preparedness to lay, down one’s life for a friend, which was the highest form of bravery. The people of "Port Chalmers felt honoured by Mr M'Cormack’s bravery in rescuing two very fine boys. ,It was hoped they would remember it as an incentive to living worthy lives in after years. Mr M'Cormack’s'"action had discredited assertions about the decadence of modern youth. His action was worthy of the best traditions of the British race. Cr H. Watson, an officer of the Yacht and Motor Boat Club, of. which club Mr M'Cormack was a member, said that Mr. M'Cormack had been known' on the “ beach ” for years past as “ Bill.” His achievement in saving two persons from drowning, without the aid of any life-saving appliances whatever, was highly _ appreciated by 1 the members of the sailing club. Mr Henderson was pleased, he said, to add the congratulations _of the society on the very meritorious action of Mr M'Cormack. He was pleased to hear the remarks made in regard to the need for tho teaching of swimming. A knowledge of life-saving methods was valuable, and if Mr MjCormack had had that knowledge his feat would have been much easier. The society’s medal was given in cases where one’s life was actually risked in saving others. He advocated the formation of a swimming club; and teachers of life saving would be available. Mr Henderson would be pleased to meet persons prepared to form a swimming club. • Cr Farquharson said it was pleasing to know that Mr M'Cormack was a Port Chalmers boy, and Mrs M'Cormack was to be congratulated on having such a son. , Mr.A. Campbell was pleased to help honour a local boy. The number of cases of drowning recorded in the newspapers was appalling. It was time they had a public baths at Port Chalmers. He and the mayor had been endeavouring to improve the swimming beaches, which were of service to the community, Mr Forsyth’s assistance would be invaluable in teaching swimming. Mr Campbell congratulated l Mrs M'Cormack on her son’s great feat. Mr M'Cormack, replying, said he thought a little too much had been made of what he had done. Anyone would have, done the same had the opportunity come his way. He was glad of a chance to thank those who came off and saved himself and the boys.