ACTS OF BRAVERY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17452, 29 December 1930, Page 7

ACTS OF BRAVERY

TWO CASES IN FIJI AGED ISLANDER’S PLUCK SUVA, Dec 16 Two cases of sheer pluck, which should be brought to the notice of the Royal Humane Society, have been reported within tlie colony during 1 lie past few days. The first is that of art old Solomon Islander, known as “Old Peter, who is working as night watchman for the customs on the King’s Wharf. He is over 70 years old. One night last week a Chinese from an outside island came to Suva. For some unknown reason he decided to drown himself, and jumped into the harbor. Two Europeans tried to reach the Chinese with the wharf hose, no rope being handy, but could do no good. J listen t the right moment, “Old Peter,” seeing the man suddenly sink, sprang into tlie water. After a great effort he secured the man and with the help of the bystanders got him safely on to the wharf. Later the police removed him to the hospital. The act was a most heroic one. as Peter had no one to help him in the dark, and the water has sharks in it. The second case occurred in the course of tlie recent hurricane, in a way. It was when the 1 gale was sweeping' over Yasawa Island that the auxiliary cutter Vorui. iadon with copra, was drifting toward the angry rocks. There seemed threats of sudden death by standing bv, so all the crew got away in the boat, except a Fijian engineer named Mateo. With his engine running at full speed and himself at the helm, he stuck to his post and tried nil that mortal man could do to save tlie ship and cargo. Put it was all in vain, and vessel and Mateo were hurled upon the rocks, which resembled n boiling cauldron Strange to relate the ship was hardly damaged, her only loss being some copper. Mateo also escaped injury. Later be was handsomdy rewarded bv Ids employer for ins bravery.—Auckland Herald