REWARD FOR COURAGE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXII, Issue 11450, 26 February 1931, Page 6

REWARD FOR COURAGE

SEQUEL TO RESCUE 01-' AIR HUSHEER.

TWO YOUNG .MUX PLACED ON PAROLE AT NAPIER.

An uuusu! story was unfolded in the Napier Police Court, when two of the three men who were responsible for rescuing 'llr, Gerhard Hu sheer, managing director of the National Tobacco Company, Port A burin, .from the ruins of Dr. W. AY. Moore’s hospital, appeared before Messrs. A. E. Bedford and C. I). Oox, J.’sP. to answer six charges. The two youmr men concerned were Ernest ltov Barr, aged 20, and A. W. Hopewell, aged ID, and they pleaded guilty to live' charges of > wilful' damage of penny-in-the-slot locks and one of Die theft of articles valued at 10s from the shop of Norman Knell, hairdresser. Senior-Sergeant Stark said accused were waiting at the police station in connection with these charges when Die big earthquake occurred. They were released on parole and at once set to work, at the'r ow n considerable personal risk, to rescue patients from Dr. Moore’s private hospjtaj. They were two of the three pien who i oscued Mr. Gerhard Husheer from the building, and witness had received cheques from Mr. Husheer to present to these men.

Detective Farquharson gave evidence as to Die charges to which the two accused had pleaded guilty. Ho said they had visited Hawke’s Bay from Palmerston North. The police report as to their character, received from Palmerston North, was to the'effect that they were of the larrikin class. The tw r o accused were _ convicted and admitted to probation for a year, the Bench remarking that it was difficult to understand their case since they apparently were not wanting in courage, when it was needed. It is understood that the young me have each received a cheque lor £25 from Mr. Husheer as a mark ol appreciation of their actions on the day of Die earthquake.