“ A SPLENDID SAVE. ”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3190, 8 April 1911, Page 9

“ A SPLENDID SAVE. ”

RESCUED BY A WOMAN

There was an interesting reversal of life-saving procedure at Manly.the other morning, when, instead of a man going to the rescue of a woman in difficulties, a woman saved the life of a man. Lifesaving at Manly is splendidly organised, and it is wonderful how quickly people in difficulties are rescued by aid of the line and reel. But one of the dangers is that it is not always easy to tell whether or not a bather is in difficulties. The antics of a man in the breakers tare sometimes _ indistinguishable from appeals for distress. Just- after breakfast oh this paxtcinlar morning a young man named Walker, one of the most skilful “surfers” at Manly, went in for; a bathe, and after shooting the breakers for some time, was carried into a channel, and at the same time seized with violent cramp in the stomach. Walker threw up his hands for help, realising as he did so that those on the beach would probably take the movement as merely part of his play. This wasi actually what happened. A life-saver on the beach saw Walker go under, but, knowing what a fine swimmer he was, did not think of going to his assistance. Walker said afterwards that he thought at the time it was “rotten” to die in this wav, only a. few yards from the shore with a number of people looking on and*thinking it was fun When he had gone down twice,, and had given up hope, a rescuer bore down on him and quickly took him to shallow water. It was not until the arrival of a second rescuer that it was seen that the first comer was a. girl. Miss Ivy Schilling, of the “Miss Gibbs Company, was bathing at the time, and she alone of all those about realised Walker’s danger, and dashed at once to his assistance. Miss Schilling was cool and skilful in her handling of the exhausted. man. _ “Miss Schilling is a areat girl,” said Walker afterwards. fi lt was a big relief to. me to see her sweeping over to me. and she got hold of me like a veteran life-saver. Strong. I’m no feather-weight, but she ibunclled me under her arm as'if I was a. kid, and carried me out to the dry sand as if I were a parcel of drapery. All agreed that it was a splendid save. Mis® Schilling thought so little of her exploit that she went into the water a'crain, and ha.lf-an-hour later, when an inquiring journalist left- the was Still disporting herself with some friends a good way out among the breakers.