REWARDS FOR BRAVERY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10958, 29 April 1907, Page 4

REWARDS FOR BRAVERY.

THE STEAD GOLD MEDAL. " CHRISTCHURCH, Friday. .The court o f directors of the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand decided to-night to award the Stead gold medal to Staff-Sergeant-Major Henry Redmond, aged 32, of Nelson, who rescued A. O'Brien,.- Walter 'Hill Mrs A. Colt, and her daughter,' Miss Colt, from drowning m the Collins river, on November sth, 1906. The secretary's report showed that the Nelson-Blenheim coach capsized while fording the river. The passengers, Mrs Colt and infant, Mr A. O'Biien, Mr W. Phill. and Staff-Sergeant-Major Redmond, and the driver, Mr George Newman, were saved, but two horses were drowned, and the passengers' baggage and all the mails, except a parcel hamper, were lost. The written statement of the passengers clearly showed that they owe their lives to the promptitude, energy, resource, and sagacity of Staff-Sergeant-Major Redmond. The chairman and directors all agreed that this was a ease for the Stead gold medal, which according to the terms of the gift is only lo be awarded for very conspicuous acts of bravery. A resolution was carried accordingly. It was further resolved, "That this being the first Stead medal to be awarded, the Act-ing-Premier be asked to make the presentation publicly at Nelson." A certificate was awarded to. Albert Raymond Blank, aged 15, for rescuing Alfred Edwin Smith from drowning, while bathing at New Brighton, on March 4, 1906. The secretary's report stated that the rescue was attended with special risk, ! owing to the heavy sea and the danger of ; being dashed against the piles of the pier. In the case of Angus McLennan, for rescuing David Laing, whose life was m peril from a mad bull, at Waipu, on November 7. 1905, no award was made. It was decided to forward an m memoriam certificate to Braidwood Higgins, father of Graham Higgins, aged nine, who was drowned whilst attempting to rescue his brother Allan from drowning m the Waima fca ■ river; • at Gisborne, on January 15, 1907. A letter of commendation was ordered to be sent to Charles Haughey, plasterer, of Wellington, for rescuing Percy Walter Bailey, aged two years and a-half, from being run over by a traincar at Wellington, on May 18, 1906. Mr R. Ginning, baker, of Gore, was awarded a letter of commendation for rescuing May Clark, aged eight, from drowning m a i well at Mataura Island, on April 5, 1906. IA silver medal was awarded to Thomas I Frank Tester, assistant traffic manager, Auckland Harbor Board, for rescuing Mary Driscoll, aged 63, from burning, at Yelverton Terrace, Auckland, on October 24, 1905. The report showed that Mrs Driscoll fell on the tiro, and was severely burned, and that Mr Tester, at great risk and severe injury to himself, extinguished her clothes and put out the fire m the house. James Patrick McGarriglo, uged 24, was awarded a bronze medal for rescuing Harold G. Houighton, aged 26, from drowning, while -bathing m the Waikatn river, at Hamilton, on December 12, 1906. It was agreed to- give n silver medal to Charles H. Howen, aged 21, for saving William Neale from drowning m Lake Waikaremoana, on January 21, 1907. Adam Jackson, aged 16, who rescued Arthur Sergeson, aged 17, from ; drowning whilst they were bathing to■aether at Akaroa. on February 29,; 19Q7,

was awarded a framed certificate. A bronze medal whs awarded to Thomas John Leighton, aged 47, for saving Kate Rose Ellison from drawing at Happy Valley, Lslnnd Bay, Wellington, on February 13. 1907. An m nicnioriam certificate was awarded to the next-of-kin of William Ernest Mullany, aged 40, who lost his life m attempting to rescue Thomas Curran, aged 14, from drowning at Lake Waiholtt, Otago, on February 12, 1907.