BRAVERY RECOGNISED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 138, 13 June 1931, Page 8

BRAVERY RECOGNISED

RESCUES FROM DROWNING HUMANE SOCIETY LETTERS The Court of Directors of the Royal Humane Society has been pleased to recognise acts of bravery performed by two residents of Wanganui district— Miss Lovey Tiako, Koroniti, and Sea Scout William Jack Taylor, Aramoho. Framed letters of commendation have been forwarded to the Town Clerk (Mr G. Murch) for presentation to these two at some suitable date. The wording of these missives speaks for itself: “To William Jack Taylor, “We have the honour to inform you that at a meeting of the Court of Directors, held on the 11th day of May 1931, it was unanimously resolved that you be highly commended for your humane and praiseworthy action in rescuing Edward Baker and Maxwell Smith from drowning at Wanganui, New Zealand, on the 14th day of September 1930.” (Signed) Walter S. Bean. President. C. J. Treleaven, Secretary. A similarly worded letter has been sent for Lovey Tiako, commending her brave action in rescuing Paul Hamarana from drowning at Koroniti on December 19, 1930. It will be recollected that on September 14 last two lads were cycling along the Wanganui Town wharf when their cycle became wedged between a plank and a rail with the result that the riders were precipitated into the river. SeaScout Taylcr, after very strenuous ef forts, succeeded in rescuing them. On December 19 last a little Maori girl, Lovey Tiako, who is hardly four feet high, was teaching Paul Hamarana to swim. The boy became over confident, swam out of reach and got into difficulties. The plucky girl swam tv his assistance only to find that he gripped her in abject terror, thus preventing her good intentions. With great difficulty she flung him off and made another attempt to succeed in her task She fared no better on this occasion and finally swam ashore to secure a long canoe pole. With this she swam back to the unfortunate boy and eventually got him to grip the pole. With great heart she swam to shore and, in the end got the lad out of danger. He was unconscious when she dragged him up the bank and she was utterly exhausted. The shore, which had been peopled by several small children when the mishap occurred, was then deserted and the plucky girl had to go to the pa for assistance