AWARDS FOR BRAVERY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20556, 6 May 1930, Page 12

AWARDS FOR BRAVERY.

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY.

DEVONPORT GIRL'S HEROISM.

HIGHEST HONOUR GIVEN.

CASE OF OUTSTANDING MERIT.

[BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION.] CHRISTCHURCH, Monday. The Royal Humane Society's gold medal Bas been awarded to Miss Eila Munro, 'A Devonport, Auckland, who, on February 2<5,- at Muriwai Beach, rescued threo persons from drowning. Three bathers wero in difficulties off the beach wing to tho undertow, and Miss Munro brought them all ashore ono by one. She was almost exhausted after the second rescue, but, undaunted, swam out again and brought in an unconscious man. "This is a case of outstanding merit •snrl worthy of tho highest award wo can tfive," said the chairman, Mr. C. Morris, at a meeting of tho Court of Directors of tho Royal Humane Society to-day. Other awards made were as follows: Bronzo Medal.—Thomas Richards, 29, for rescuing John W. Mulligan from .1 scrub firo. Mulligan died later from burns. Certificate. —Frank Charles Little, aged 20, who tried unsuccessfully to rescuo a man from tho surf at Tokomaru Bay. Letters of Commendation.—Loslio P. For, Wellington, and Mrs. Doris J. Harris, Devonport, both for rescues from drowning. At tho time of her heroic feat Miss Munro was only 18 years of ago. A party <»f about ten persons had gone to the bench for the day from Auckland. Shortly after noon they went for a swim, and were "about up to their knees in tho breakers when a large wave broke over their heads. Tho tido was on tho turn and thero was a strong undertow which carried three of tho party, two young men and a woman, out to sea, tho rest being swept ashore by the wave. Seeinn; that the 'three wero in difficulties, Miss Munro swam' through the breakers, first reaching Mr. Frank Cottier, of Grey Lynn, and bringing him ashore in an exhausted condition only after a tremendous struggle. In the meantime the other two were being carried further from tho shore while men stood- on the beach thinking it hopeless to attempt a rescue. Returning immediately intc> tho water, Miss Munro reached Mr. Jack Elliott, of Epsom, who, j although unable to swim, was making a j desperate fight against the undertow. He sent Miss Munro to the assistance of tho young woman, Miss Frances Kell, of Royal Oak, .v,-ho was some distance away. Miss Munro.brought her ashore nearly unconscious, and sho herself was exhausted. Her strength a lit tin restored after lying on tho sand for a time, Miss Munro plunged onco more through the breakers to rescue the young man, who by now had disappeared from sight. Seeing his arm raised from the water about half a mile from the shore, Miss Munro swam to tho spot, but when she reached it -Mr. Elliott had disappeared. Diving repeatedly, Miss Munro was at. last able to grasp him and drag him to tho surface. Mr. Elliott was unconscious, but by swimming with tho current Miss j Munro was able to gain the shore about | 500 yds. further up tho beach.