AN HEROIC ACTION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5444, 5 July 1929, Page 2

AN HEROIC ACTION.

THE EARTHQUAKE FATALITY. LIFE GIVEN FOR WORKMEN. Private advice received in Wellington reveals that Arthur Douglas Stubbs, third engineer at the Golden Bay Cement Works, who perished when a landslide demolished the en-gine-room at the works during the big earthquake on Monday week last, literally laid down his life for his fellow workmen. When the first shock and landslide occurred, Mr Stubbs ..and two other electrical engineers succeeded in escaping from the engine-room, and were safely outside the damaged building when Mr Stubbs remarked : “What about those who are left ? I must return and stop the engines.” With this he re-entered the damaged building, and shut off the power. Just as he had reached the door on his way out again, a huge landslide descended and buried the brave engineer and the building under an avalanche of debris. It is considered that the heroic action >n Mr Stubbs’s part probably saved the lives of one hundred other workmen who were employed in the works at the time.

The laic Mr Stubbs who was about 49 years of age, was married, with two grown-up sons, and another about ten years of age. He was always of a courageous nature. He served throughout the Boer War. and although a married man with three children, was in camp ready to proceed to the Great War when the armistice ended hostilities.