RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21196, 29 November 1930, Page 27

RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

FOUR HALF-CROWN REWARDS. REBUKE TO A RECTOR. Strong protests against the failure of a clergyman adequately to compensate four men who rescued his son from drowning were made at a meeting of the Town Council, at Ramsgate, England. It was stated that' the amount offered by the clergyman—the Rev. J. A. Garton, rector of' Waddington. near Lincoln—was 2s 6d to each of the men. According to an official report of the incident, the young mac, Mr Richard Garton, was bathing at Ramsgate on June 27, when “his cries were heard by Mr Harry Gisby and Mr Thomas Goldr finch, who, without taking off their clothing plunged into the sea to the rescue. “ Considerable difficulty was experienced in saving and bringing Mr Garton, who' was unconscious, to the shore. Therefore, Mr Archibald Dean and Constable Oram ’ also 'entered the water • in .their clothing and waded as far as possible to their assistance." ■ . The Watch Committee, in its report to the Town Council, recommended rewards, to be paid out of. the rates, of £5 each to Mr Gisby and Mr Goldfinch, £3 3s to Mr Dean, and £1 Is to Constable Oram, “as'they had not Received any adequate compensation -from the rescued person dr his relatives." . 1 “We feel strongly/’ the report continues, “ that persons who render assistance in such circumstances should at least be-compensated for'their damaged clothing by persons who are rescued or their relatives when they are in a position to do so. < We very much regret the lack of consideration shown in this case, which has necessitated the council being asked to adopt the recommendation stated." A councillor- said that Mr Garton was written to in connection with the rescue of his son, and he did not even reply to the letter. He could not understand the feelings of a father who adopted that attitude when his son was rescued. When interviewed, Mr Garton said that he intended to make compensation, but it would take some. time. “When it comes to paying £IS, it is a question which needs consideration,” he added. “I think £5 for each of the men, who were only in the water up to their waists, is out of nil reason.” Mr Garton went on. v “One of them was given a small reward at the time. In addition to the reward which will be paid to the rescuers, there wilL also he ambulance fees and hospital charges to be met."