GREY GIRL’S GALLANT FEAT AT FIRE

Grey River Argus, 23 April 1948, Page 4

GREY GIRL’S GALLANT FEAT AT FIRE

Award of Bravery Certificate

The tragic fire at the Franz Josef Hotel Annexe in July last year when five persons lost their lives had a sequel at the meeting of the Greymouth Borough Council last night when Miss Betty June Strode was presented with the Royal New Zealand Human Society’s certificate for bravery. ■ Miss Strode, on discovering the fire dashed upstairs, despite the fact that in doing so she placed herself in danger, and awakened girls sleeping there, thus probably averting a more serious disaster. Detective Sergeant N. Thompson, who made enquiries into the fire expressed congratulations and thanks on behalf of the Police Department and said that investigations had revealed that Miss Strode had disregarded all danger to herself to warn the other sleepers of the danger, it was not until flames forced her to evacuate the building that she thought oi herself and esca-oed. His Worship the Mayor, Mr F. F. Boustridge. in congratulating Miss Strode on behalf of the council and citizens of Greymouth mentioned that such awards were not given until the Society was satisfied in every way that they were deserved. He then presented Miss Strode with the certificate recording the feat at the hotel. MODEST REPLY ‘‘l dont’ think I deserve it.” replied Miss Strode in thanks, "but I am very pleased all the same. I didn’t do any more than anyone else would have done under the circumstances. Thank you very much ”