SAVING OF LIFE

Timaru Herald, Volume CLV, Issue 22856, 31 March 1944, Page 4

SAVING OF LIFE

Two Sea Scouts Commended There was a full muster of Sea Scouts last night in the Sailors’ Rest when the Mayor of Timaru (Mr A. E. S. Hanan) presented two Scouts. Peter Smith and Rae Lee, of Timaru, with letters of commendation from the Dominion Chief Scout, Mr Hector -Christie. Last November, at the Fishermen’s wharf, these two Sea Scouts jumped into the water to save a boy who was in difficulties. In paying tribute to the boys, the Mayor drew attention to the necessity for every child being able to swim. It was not generally known that in New Zealand more lives were lost through drowning than through motor-car accidents. The District Scout Commissioner, Mr C. H. Shackell, said that the boys had lived up to the Scout motto “Be Prepared.” This showed that their Scout training, which laid emphasis on thinking and acting quickly in times of emergency, had been of value to them. The letters from the Dominion Chief Scout read as follows: —“It has been brought to my notice that you were able to help a little boy who had fallen into the harbour and to bring him safely back to land. I desire to commend you for this very scouting act and to say how glad I am that we have boys who are able to think and act clearly in cases such as this. This letter of commendation is a recognition from the Dominion Chief Scout of the fact that you were able to do this Scouting act and bring credit to the Scouting movement. As a fellow Scout, I am proud of you, and hope, some day, to meet you.”