BOY'S COURAGE

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 153, 20 February 1932, Page 2

BOY'S COURAGE

FACED PAIN AND ILLNESS WITH UNDAUNTED SPISIT. MAGIC OF RADIO. SYDNEY, Saturday. At first glance, the story of Pat J. Howe reads like one of those little tragedies that a sorrow-weary world likes to skip over and forget, To thoBe who study between the lines there is a message of comfort that the wonderful spirit which sustained this 12-year-old boy through a year of hopeless fight can support them, too, when their hour comes. Son of the postmaster at Bundanoon, "Young Pat" was named after his grandfather, an exeeutive officer of the New South Wales Bowling Association. Twelve months ago he contracted an illness which confined him to his room. _ Cut off from the joys and sports that are the heritage of boyhood, young Pat lived for his wireless. Intensely fond of cricket, he never missed a minute of any match that was broadcast. His Magic Carpet. Bright and. intelleetual, he won to a vicarious happiness by sheer willpower, transplanting himself, through the magic of radio and his own indomitable spirit, to the green play-ing-fields where his.heroes strove with willow and with leather. Bradman was his inspiration, and a shy letter to the famous Australian brought a reply which, Pat prized as his most treasured possession. When Constantine, too, was knocking up sixers on the Sydney Cricket Ground last year, the youngster wrote his thanks for the thrills that were imparted to him over the ether, and a delightful letter it was that the great West Indian sent in answer. Arthur Mailey was another greatly beloved correspondent, and when the poor lad — often racked with pain though he was, and for whom there was no hope of recovery — cultivated a taste for sketching, the cricketer-ar-tist encouraged him in his hobby, ar.d, indeed, admitted that Pat showed greater promise than had he at the same age. Pat was buried to-day, but he has left us a splendid legacy of courage in facing the inevitable.