Medals For Two Natives
p. 150 · Read in the full issue
TWO natives who rescued a third from drowning at Nauru last December have received awards ii om the Royal Humane Society of Australasia. First-Class Police Con stable Lipine received the silver medal, and Ellice Islander Tanielu brother of the rescued native,’
Matiava, received the bronze medal.
The three were in a working party trying to secure a laree moor ing buoy in a high sea with a full gale blowing.
They were working on a life-line when Matiava lost his grip and was carried out by the undertow It was impossible to put a boat oyer the reef, and Tanielu and Lipine were washed back by the surf when they attempted several times to swim out.
When Matiava’s position appeared hopeless, Lipine waited his op pprtunity, gripped the reef with his fingers and toes and allowed the surf to break over him, let go when the surf began to recede and was carried over the reef by the under tow. He swam to Matiava and brought him in.