Kingly Heroisim.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, 4 June 1891, Page 2

Kingly Heroisim.

♦— In these democratic days it is pleasant reading of a Eing that is ready to risk life and limb for hia subjects welfare, in a civil, not military, trouble. The London Standard's Rome correspondent writes : — The Commission charged with the examination into the annual awards of medals "for civil valour" has decided to confer the gold medal on the King. A full statement of all the circumstances attending the fall of a house in Rome on the Bth of January, and the subsequent rescue of four workmen from the ruins at

considerable peril to the workers, shows that the King hastened to the spot immediately on hearing of the accident, and remained there for four hours, directing and encouraging the rescue party. His Majesty also was the first to descend a ricketty ladder, let down into the cellar, whence the muffled cries of the buried men could be heard and while the very difficult work of rescue went on, continually encouraged the unfortunate men with .■he assurance of coming help. One man whose head and shoulders were above the debris, but whose legs were held fast by heavy beams, which it took hours to remove, was especially sustained by the King's steady courage. The danger of a fresh fall in the ruins was considerable, but King Humbert held his poor half buried subject by the hand, to put heart and hope into him, gave him wine with his own hand, and did not leave the spot untU all the men were brought out alive. To one poor fellow who feebly tried to thank him as he lay on (the stretcher with a crushed foot th*king said, " Don't talk now ; it will make you worse. You will soon be all right again." The only moment in which he seemed to think of anything but the scene . around him was when he ordered a message to be sent to the Queen who was awaiting luncheon for him, not to be uneasy, as he might not be able to return for some hours. A silver medal for the same occasion has been awarded to a Marshall of Carbineers, and bronze medals to two Carbineers, two firemen, and two labourers.

The Republc of Bolivia, has decided to recognise the Chilian insurgents.

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