RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 36

RESCUE FROM DROWNING.

PLUCKY ACTION RECOGNISED. A few days before last Christmas James Thomson performed a very plucky action in rescuing a man and a boy from drowning at the boat harbour. Mr Thomson is a very modest man, and for that reason the pleasant function that took place in Mr W. J. P. M'Culloeh’s motor showroom Ch Tuesday morning was not made known to him beforehand. Shortly before 11 a.m. the Mayor (Mr H; L. Tapley, M.P.), Mr C. W. Sundstrum (commodore of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club) and several other prominent men connected with boating, entered Mr M'Culloeh’s premises. Mr Thomson was called in from the workshop, and Mr Tapley made a brief speech, in which he said it gave him much pleasure to take part in the ceremony of doing honour to Mr Thomson for his hero ; c act in saving life in the boat harbour. The facts of the case, said Mr Tapley, were as follows:—Mr Thomson was coming ashore in a dinghy when he noticed a Mr Campbell and his small son in difficulties, attempting to board a dinghy from their launch. The small boat drirted away, and capsized when the man and boy attempted to reach it. They were left struggling in the water. The situation was quickly grasped by Mr Thomson, who hurried to their assistance, and at great risk to himself rescued the man, then lying exhausted beneath thu water. Having placed the father in safety, Mr Thomson grasped the boy, and couveyed them to the launch. He was thus the means of saving two lives. “I have much pleasure,” said the Mayor, “in : congratulating you on your action, Mr Thomson, and in handing you from the officials of the Otago Yacht and Motor Boat Club a gold medal to mark the occasion. Your fellow yachtsmen have recognised your plucky action.”

The medal is inscribed: “James Thomson —in recognition of a plucky act. ■ From the Otagc Yacht and Motor Boat Club.” Mr Sundstrum commended Mr Thomson for his pluck, and said that he had watched the recipient’s career very closely. Mr Thomson was looked upon as one of the most promising members of the Otago Yacht Club. He had rendered valuable service to yachtsmen, especially to the boys now sailing small boats. “He is looked upon as the father of the boys at the boat harbour,” said Mr Sundstrum. “He helps them all, and all the club members are proud of him. We only wish we had many more like him.”