ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIV, Issue 13934, 16 December 1905, Page 9

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY

AWARDS FOR BRAVERY. The Council of the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand met yesterday; present—Colonel Slater (chairman), the Rev W. S. Bean, Superintendent Smith, th© Hon H. F. Wigram, Dr Russell, Messrs J. A. Frostiok and R. C. Bishop, and Captain Linn (honorary secretary). - ‘ Correspondence was received in connection with th© Puna, case, which, has been repeatedly discussed. The circumstances were that a couple of Maoris name Puna had risked their lives in recovering a dead body from the sea at Napier, and application had been made to the Council for recognition of their bravery. Th© Council had replied that the granting of an award was precluded by its rules, which provided only for cases of life-saving. Ail opinion had, however, been sought from the Royal Society of England, and that Association had submitted an answer that tb© rescuing of a body, under the circumstances in question, could not be the subject of an award. Mr Bishop moved—“ That in view of the opinion expressed by the Royal 1 Society of England, this Council is of opinion that it would be inexpedient to further consider the Puna case or. grant an award.” . The motion was seconded by the Hon H. F. Wigram, and was carried, after, appreciative reference to the ; Maoris’ heroism had been made. , Applications for recognition of bravery were finally discussed, 'the chairman explaining that a committee had examined th© cases in detail. It was decided to send a letter of commendation to Georg© M. Hope, twentythree years of age, a poor• swimmer, who had rescued a boy, Kenneth S. Bargh, from drowning, at the Thorndon Baths, Wellington. Reginald P. Wilder, seventeen years of age, was awarded a bronze medal for having rescued a boy, William Hogg, from the Wanganui River, in a deep and swift current. / In the .case of William Brooke, thirty-three years of age, chief officer of the Star of Australia, who risked his life in rescuing a man that had fallen between two vessels rooking together in the Napier Roadstead, it was decided to award a silver clasp, as an addition.to a silver medal which Brooke won about a year ago. < ‘ , It was agreed to award a silver medal to Evan ! 0. M’Robertsj aged ■' twenty-one, who rescued George ■-E. Spooney, Kathleen H. ■ Spooner and . , Hilda Garland from drowning- at Tauranga on March 23, 1905. The persons rescued were, out sailing" in a boat and got into difficulties. M’Roberts swam over a quarter of a mile to secure assistance for the ’ imperilled, and eventually he was instrumental in obtaining help by which they .were saved. ■ y , In regard to the case of Anne Millar, eighteen years Of age, who lost her life in attempting to rescue her brother from drowning at Clive, on July 3, 1905, it was explained that no exact details of the accident were obtainable. Tho Council passed 'a motion that, in the absence of evidence, it regretted that it could make no award. : Hugh Kelly was awarded a bronze medal for having rescued a boy, Arthur C. Lunn, from drowning at Gisborne, on May 16, 1905. Kelly was fully clothed, and, as he was a weak swimmer, ho had great difficulty in effecting the rescue. . 1 \ ' . Regarding Charles Walter Tonkinson, thirty-two yeans of age, a "constable, who rescued a man, Frank 801-. ton, from a perilous position in front of a railway train, at tho Richmond. Railway Station, on March 23., 1905, it was agreed to make an award of a silver medal.; Tonkinson had only a .moment in whiolu.t-a..sav6 .Bolton, and had to endanger his own' life. ' Edward James M’Ginn, a porter who similarly risked his life in saving a man,\Richardison Clifford, at the Pukehohe Railway Station, on July 3, 1905, was also allotted a silver medal. The Council resolved that Edward Patrick ■La very, who rescued a young man, William Marsh, from drowningrin a treacherous reach of the Molyneux River,’ near. Kaitangata, on August 25, 1905, should receive a bronze medal. William T. Riddock, forty-two years of age, was awarded a bronze medal for saving the life of a little girl, Myrtle D. Bonnington, at Sumner; on September 7, 1905, The child was carried, out from the shore by a strong current, and Riddock imperilled his life in going to her assistance. The Council decided to send, a certificate to Henry Nptton, twenty-five years of age, and a letter of commendation to Charles Fenton, thirty-seven years of age, who rescued Hugh M’Govern from drowning in the Auckland Harbour, bn, August 19. Mr J. A. Petrie, mayor of Greymouth, wrote forwarding copies of resolutions adopted by his Borough Council, complimenting Mr E. Wilson, Inspector of Police for Greymouth, and Mr W. G. K. Kenrick, Stipendiary. Magistrate and Warden, for to© courage and presence of mind which they had displayed at Murchison, on July 14, when a man" named' Sewell had . blown himself to . pieces and severely injured the Inspector and other persons. • ' ; It was resolved to reply indicating , the procedure necessary in case recognition of the bravery described was desired.