HEROISM OF TWO SUSPECTS

Hokitika Guardian, 25 February 1931, Page 3

HEROISM OF TWO SUSPECTS

COMMENT IN COURT. GRATITUDE OF A RESCUED PATIENT. NAPIER, February 23. Something Oi romance " :i s narrated in the Napier Police Court to-day wlr'ii two of the three men responsible for CM-i.mg Air Gerhard Husmvr imm fnc ruins of Dr W. W. Moore’s hospital appeared to answer six charges. Tim two liimi concerned, Ernest Roy Barr, aged twenty, and Allred William Hopewell, aged nineteen, pleaded gU'L cr "to five charges of wilful damage of penny-in-the-slot locks and one of theftof articles valued at 10/9 from a hairdresser’s sljop.

The police evidence was that the men were waiting at the. police station under suspicion for these charges when j he big ’quake occurred. tmy wenreleased on parole and at once set to work at their own risk to rescue tinpatients of Dr. Moore’s hospital. These were two of the three men who rescued Mr Hushcer from the building and the Senior-Sergeant had received cheques from Mr Hu.sheer to present , to the men.

The two accused were convicted and admitted to probation for a year, the Bench remarking that it was difficult to understand their ease, since they apparently were not wanting in courage when it was needed. It is understood that each received a cheque for £2.5 from Mr Hushcer, who is proprietor of the National Tobacco Company and a wealthy man. whose generosity, particularly at Christmas time when he makes large donations to hospital and other institutions, has made him a popular and respected figure in this district.