A BRAVE DEED

Southland Times, Issue 17304, 28 March 1913, Page 5

A BRAVE DEED

RESCUED BY A BOY OF THIRTEEN. A somewhat sensational Incident occurred on Easter Monday at Weymouth Beach, which is situated on the Manukau Harbour, about three miles from Manurewa. The Papakura Anglican Church was holding a picnic there, and about noon, when a number of the young people were bathing. Miss Woods, daughter of the vicar, had the misfortune to slip off a ledge of rocks into deep water, and was soon seen to be in difficulties. There were between 30 and 40 people on the beach at the time, but to a lad who reached the age of 13 last December Is due the honour of having rescued the young lady, who is about 17 years old. Alan Leonard (son of Mr T. H. Leonard) saw the plight of Miss Wood, and he at once swam out to her assistance. Getting hold of her hair, he began to bring her to the shore. Miss Wood, as most people do when in difficulties in the water, tried to get hold of the lad, but he. having been taught life-saving, had the good sense to keep her head under water, and thus managed to reach the shore safely, where ready assistance was waiting to mitigate any dangers from the sudden immersion. The Rev. Mr Woods wanted to maJce a presentation to the lad for saving his daughter, but this was declined by Mr Leonard, who said that his son required no reward for simply doing what was the fluty of everyone—namely, to rescue another when In danger.