A BRAVE ACT.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 26 June 1931, Page 3

A BRAVE ACT.

MB. S. A. LONGUET’S SACRIFICE.

Members of the Wellington Rotary Club were reminded at Tuesday’s luncheon by the president, Dr. E. Bowerbanlc, that a few months ago their fellow Rotarian, Sidney Longuet had sacrificed his life in making a gallant attempt to save a Maori girl from drowning on Otaki beach. Dr. Bower bank said that Mr. Longuet was a very busy man, and was also a good Rotarian, in that he had always given time and sympathy to those in distress and supported those societies which were doing genuine community service. It was only fitting that the Royal Humane Society should have awarded its certificate for his brave act, and that it should now be presented to his son. In handing the framed tertificate to Mr. W. Longuet, the president mentioned that Mr. C. George, who was present when Mr. Longuet lost his life, and who very nearly sacrified his own life in helping Mr. Longuet, was at the luncheon. , Mr. P. Coira. representing the/WelJington branch of the Royal Humane Society, expressed sympathy witl&Mr. Longuet on the death of his father, and commended the brave act in doing which he had met his death.

“It is a curious thing,“ he said, “but about 99 per cent, of the drowning accidents occur in the way this one did, due perhaps to the contour of the Dominion, and to people seeking out places to bathe where there are no facilities for saving life.” Oaky recently the society had given medals for bravery in connlTOon with the launch fatality at Island Bay, and a little later oh would no doubt make awards in connection with the wreck of the Progress in the same locality. In commending the w;ork of the life-saving clubs, Mr. Coira said that they had up till now been instrumental in saving 2076 lives —lives:, that would have been lost had members of the clubs in various parts of the Dominion not been on duty.

“It is with deep regret, ’ ’ says the annual report of the Rotary Club, “that we record the death of Sid Longuct under sad but heroic circumWhich earned the Humane Society’s Certificate: A charter member, a late director, and always keenly interested in Rotary, his place will be difficult to fill. M To perpetuate his memory members have donated a handsome shield to the Wellington branch of the Royal Life Saving Society for competition among the secondary girls * schools in the Wellington district.