ANOTHER GOOD CLAIM FOR THE HUMANE SOCIETY'S MEDAL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2394, 18 November 1880, Page 2

ANOTHER GOOD CLAIM FOR THE HUMANE SOCIETY'S MEDAL.

“ Auckland Herald.”

The following facts, which afford the grounds for a strong claim on the Humane Society’s Medal, have been brought under our notice by the person who was most interested in the circumstances which give rise to the claim—viz., the man who was rescued from a horrible and certain death by the bravery of another. The person referred to —Mr E. B. Fitzpatrick—came to our ollice on Oct. 15, and stated the circumstances. It will be recollected that a short time ago Mr "William Joiner, an employe of the “ Herald” office, bravely saved a life in Mechanics Bay at the risk of his own, when ho had to attack a shark in his own clement with only a knife. The circumstances of this incident arc fresh in the mind of our readers but it will be news to many of them to learn that this is not the first occasion on which he has dared the monster in the water and rescued life. -Mr Fitzpatrick has for the last four months been a sufferer from deafness, the result of a cold, and and has been two months in the hospital. His account of the circumstances is to the following effect, and we have had his statement corroborated in material points by eye-witnesses. Mr Fitzpatrick at the time was anxious to give tlio facts publicity, but at the special request of Mr Joiner he refrained from doing so. We may lemark that prior to the incident we arc about to relate, Mr Fitzpatrick, who was a boot, manufacturer, carrying on business in Hobson street, lost one of his arms from between the elbow and wrist. lie was a good swimmer, ami about fou. years ago he wont in to swim off the site now occupied by the dock. He went out a considerable distance. Several others were in the watei at the same time, and Mr Joiner was on the beach. The people on the wharf observed the ominous fins of a huge shark in the immediate vicinity of the man, but he treated their warnings as jokes. To his horror he observed the monster near him. Mr Joiner had observed the danger, and grasping a knife, he went to the rescue. Fitzpatrick, partly on account of the shock, no doubt, partly from the fact of his only having one hand to swim with, became helpless in the water and Mr Joiner had the greaf&st difficult}' in keeping him afloat. Fortunately, the shark did not attack them, and Mr Fitzpatrick was brought safely on shore by his brave preserver. The shark which was about twelve feet in length, was captured next day by the Water Police. These two gallant rescues by Mr Joiuer surely entitle him to recognition from the Humane Society if the circumstances are properly and authoritivety laid before the committee.