A BOY’S HEROISM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20702, 27 April 1929, Page 13

A BOY’S HEROISM.

* ~ CAPSIZING OF CANOE. STRUGGLE TO SAVE COMPANION PEAT OP PHYSICAL ENDURANCE. (Special to Daily Times.) . AUCKLAND, April 26. A 13-year-old boy, named Geoffrey Shaw, was drowned at Lake Pupuke, Takapuna, on Wednesday afternoon, and the tragedy was reported yesterday. Prom details obtained there emerges a story of heroism and of wonderful physical endurance and a long-sustained struggle on the part of Percy White, a boy who endeavoured to save Shaw. It* appears that Geoffrey Shaw was going , out .in a canoe, and Percy White, who resided in the same street—Kowhai avenue—told him not to go as the water was too rough.' Shaw, however, was resolved to go, and in the .absence of his parents White did not know what to do. He knew the other boy could swim only a few yards, and when Shaw was determined to go. White deemed it his duty to go with him. When they got out opposite the pumping station White asked Shaw to turn back as the water was too rough for the canoe. Shaw, however, kept on. White, being a good swimmer, was not afraid for himself, but was anxious about Shaw. When they reached the centre of the lake the waves were high, and Shaw was jumping up and down enjoying the sensation. ■ The canoe was about 200 yards off the ' -shore when it shipped a sea and Shaw fell overboard. . White clung to the canoe momentarily, but it went from under him and then he went to get Shaw. Shaw got on White’s back, but the waves were very high and be could not hold on. They abandoned yh at position and Shaw held White round the waist and they made for the shore. ■ By the time they reached the weed belt which fringes the, shore White had gone ■ down twice, but he stuck to his great task. When they were within about 20 yards from the shore Shaw said; “1 am letting go mow, Perpy." White, at his lasp gasp, kept on swimming, more by instinct than by conscious effort, and in a state of semi-consciousness. He bad been held so tightly by the other lad that, as he expressed it, the grip burned him. White reached the edge and lapsed into unconsciousness, lie does not know for how long, possibly five, .10, or 15 minutes. WHen he came to he looked round for Shaw. It was in ms mind that he had carried Shaw to the shore, but he could see nothing except the boat drifting. Fatigued almost to exhaustion, White then ran for the power station, but there was no one about. There was a boat there, but no rowlocks, and he raced for his own home for assistance, covering a distance in 10 minutes that would take a man nearly an hour to walk. No one was'at home at hia own place, but he found Shaw’s younger brother, and they’both ran to a neighbour, Mrs Dawson,, and then White collapsed utterly and remembered mr more. Dawson telephoned the police and a search was made. Those who know the locality can scarcely imagine how White managed to get ashore at all. It was a terrible swim for a lad even by himself and unhampered by his companion he was struggling to save. Percy White is one of those boya who Pv? fer , no , fc to 'talk, and it was only after this deed of bravery that his father learned that some considerable time ago im far0 a g m t in - a who was in difficulties off Takapima Beach. He carned him ashore in an unconscious stats, and the rescued lad was revived by p*™ 6 ™ x f . the Takapuna Surf Club. Percy went home after the episode and never mentioned it. ■