A PRIZE FOR PERSISTENCY.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 8789, 17 April 1907, Page 1

A PRIZE FOR PERSISTENCY.

Now this is a true story. One of Ids Britannic Majesty’s Consuls in the South Seas, whoso temper was none of the sweetest, chanced to he on hoard the steam lauuclhhelonging to the Consulate. Wishing to go ashore, he called to his hoy to get out the hoat; he, however, received no reply, and on making enquiries found that his sable attendant had taken the hoat without leave ahoirt an hour before.

At this moment lie espied the boat returning to the launch, and no sooner was it alongside than, haying seized a stick, he sprang in and proceeded to thrash the delinquent. The latter immediately dived overboard, and the irascible old gentleman, being determined not to let him escape punishment, dived after him, and managing to catch him by the leg never let go until they were both safely hauled back into the boat, where he completed the castigation. Some naval officers who were present wrote home by the next mail asking that a Royal Humane Society’s medal might be given to their gallant Consul for his bravery in saving a poor native from drowning. The Society recognised the claim, and to the Consul’s mortification, the medal arrived.