ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY AWARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIX, 31 January 1936, Page 3

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY AWARD

PRESENTATION TO MR P. M. McCONCHIE BRAVE AC'j IUN RECOGNISED The Royal Humane Society has awarded Liie society's certificate to .Mr Percy Morris iMcConchio, of Nelson, in recognUion of his courageous action in frying to save (iic life of the Mr Hector \V. G. Robertson who was drowned at The Glen on the 28th October last. At the City Council chambers last evening the certificate was presented to Mr MeCoucliiu by the Mayor of Nelson (Mr G. L. Page). Tlie Mayor said it would be remembered that on the 28th October last year Mr McConchie and his friend, the late Mr Robertson, went fishing in a small boat at The Glen. Hie' boat became swamped, and in attempting to reach the shore Mr Robertson became exhausted. Mr McConchie made strenuous and repeated efforts to save the life of his friend until it was only with the greatest of difficulty that he was able to reach the beach. “We admire your courage Mr McConchie,” added the Mayor. “Regardless of vour own life you tried in a magnificent manner to save the life of your friend.” Mr Page expressed pleasure at the decision of the society to award the certificate in recognition of the brave action, while expressing regret at the unfortun-' ate happening, he extended congratulations to Mr McConchie on his recognition by the society, Mr E. J. Scantlebury said as the Coroner at the inquest lie had heard the evidence and had considered it a case worthy of a Royal Humane Society award. Hampered as' he was with gumboots, Mr McConchie Had shown the greatest courage in assisting his friend as far as was humanly possible. Mr G. A. Edmonds honorary corresspondent to the society said lie wished to apologise for the absence of Mr W. Lock, a vice-president of the society, who could not attend owing to ill health. He said such acts of bravery should be. duly acknowledged. All realised that all deserving cases were not brought under the notice of the society, in this case Mi' McConchie had seriously risked his life to save that of another. He joined in congratulating Mr McConchie on tne award. In making the presentation the Mayor said on behalf of the community lie wished to congratulate .Mr McConchie. Mr W. McConchie said he wished lo take the opportunity of expressing a deep debt of gratitude to Mr and Mrs Wastncy and family of The Glen for (he careful 'attention they lrad given his son when he readied their house in a slate of collapse.