A Woman's Pluck.

Manawatu Herald, 20 August 1896, Page 3

A Woman's Pluck.

Noumea files contain a story of the remarkable bravery displayed by a woman.

A short distance from the New Caledonian coast lies Bailly Island, the sole inhabitants of which for Borne time have been M. Bonel and his. wife and children, with two menservants.

On the 19th July, M. Ronel and the two servants left in a cutter to bring stores from, the mainland. In returning, and when in sight of home, the boat w0.3 capsized, and all were drowned within sight of Madame Ronel and tbe children.

Madame Ronel's stock of provisions was exhausted and her condition rendered desperate. For eleven days she kept signal fires burning to attract assistance. No one came and as a last resource she had to launch a table, on which, taking advantage of a favouring ourrent, she drifted ashore to the mainland, which she reaohed at a point 20 miles from Noumea.

( She walked to town and told her pitiful story, and a boat was despatched and resoued the children, who were almost exhausted with starvation. The Acting Governor was sent for and applauded. Madame's ■elf- sacrifice, and the residents . subscribed a testimonial in recognition of her bravery.