NATIVE HEROISM.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 June 1922, Page 7

NATIVE HEROISM.

DROWNING OF A CHIEF. BRAVE ATTEMPT AT RESCUE, BLIND MAN AND LITTLE GIRL. Suva (Fiji), May 17. One of the most thrilling stories of quiet heroism has just come to light by the receipt at the native office of the evidence taken at an inquiry at Labasa concerning the reported drown.ing of a chief or buli of the native town of Namuka on the Macuata coast iof Vanua Levu. The -buli’s name was Inoke Radrisi. He and a native boy of 12 years were capsized about a quarter of a mile from land in a rough sea. The buli was a sick man and weak. The evidence given below tells a pathetic but splendid story of heroism. A little girl of eight years, named Marica, showed herself a heroine, and guided a blind man, Joseva, swimming to the rescue. Finding she could not help, the girl, swam ashore, and after a search found a takia or raft made of bamboos, and paddled out to help, only to find Joseva feebly swimming round helplessly and Inoke gone. The old man’s simple story of how he dived and found the body of Inoke and brought it to the surface, and dragged it along until exhaustion compelled him to let it go is a veritable epic of heroism. And one must not forget in this tribute how Inoke died, courageously like a chief without a struggle. The evidence is given in full. Jiaji Tobesavu said he lived at Druadrua. The rowing boat with a sail went out. He and the buli were in it. They were going to Visago. There was a strong wind, and the boat overturned when it was 500yds. from shore. The buli said, “Let us swim to land.” They had gone a little way, and the buli said, cr Let us return to the boat.” They went back, and were hanging on to the boat. Jo and Marica swam out, and the buli instructed witness and Marica to. swim, off, and go ashore. They arrived on the beach, and witness went to the town. He did not see if the buli was following. He went alone to the town as he was very cold. Jo was a blind man, Marica was a little girl. Witness was about 12 years old. To the Court: The sheet was not tied. The buli was holding the rope, and a gust came, and the boat heeled over and 'filled.

Marica Samavu, of Nahuahua, said: “1 was fishing alone on the shore. I saw a boat with the buli and Tobesavu capsize about 200 yds. from the shore. I ran to the town. I called Jo. He is blind, and was the only person in the town. I returned with him to the | beach, and he and I swam out to the | boat. The buli and Tobesavu were I clinging to the boat. The buli said. I ‘You and Tobesavu swim to shore together. You help him.’ When we got ashore, I went to Lekeba to try to find a boat. I found a takia (canoe) there, and brought it back and picked up Jo, who was swimming about 50yds. from the boat. I asked Jo where the buli was, but he was too exhausted to answer. 1 suppose the buli was drowned. I knew before that he had chest trouble.”

Joseva Ratuisova, of Nahuahua, who was blind, said, “I was in the town at Nahuahua when Marica told me the buli was capsized. I was frightened and went to the sea with Marica, who guided me by the hand. We swam off and got to the boat. I followed her close, touching her. The buli said, ‘Let you and me swim off.’ We swam off, and •the buli said, ‘Let us follow the wind.’ Then the buli said, ‘I am going to die.’ iHe touched me with his feet. I tried to get him and dived and I brought him up, and dragged him along. Then I got cramp in the hand I was supporting the buli, and I had to leave go. Then Marica picked me up in a boat. Marica and Tobesavu got ashore first. The depth was only three fathoms.” The Court found that Inoke Radrisi had been drowned, and said that the conduct of Marica and Joseva in attempting to rescue him was worthy of the highest praise.