The Australasian society undertakes considerably more than the English society, and its school competitions are carried out on far better lines. The rescue tests are about the same for the bronze medallion, but there is an additional examination for proficiency in the theoretical knowledge of the art of saving life from drowning, &c. ; the society forwarding printed examination papers for the pupils to answer in writing the theoretical portion of the examination, which includes resuscitation.
In a recent examination paper, consisting of fourteen ques tions, the following related to the saving of life from drowning : z. Describe the different steps necessary to be followed in restoring a person to life who is apparently drowned.
2. Describe Dr. Marshall Hall's method of restoring natural breathing.
3. Describe Dr. Silvester's method.
4. Explain the reason for each movement in each of the above methods.
5. Describe the safest mode of approaching, seizing hold of, and drawing to shore a drowning person.
A practical demonstration of ability in rescue and resusci tation work has also to be given. These examinations are open to all public and private schools in the Australasian colonies. In England the examination only comprises a prac tical exhibition in dummy rescue work, the third trial of which, as will afterwards be shown, is utterly futile, and liable to gross unfairness being practised, and, moreover, only a very small number of schools are allowed to enter.
The medal of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia is intended to express the idea of bravery rewarded. On the obverse a female figure representing Australasia is depicted, in the act of placing a wreath on the head of one whose courage and humanity have been judged worthy of such honour. The Southern Cross, which appears above, identifies the society with the Southern Hemisphere. The reverse contains a wreath of eucalyptus and laurel leaves, around which is the title of the society, the space in the centre being left open for engraving the name of the recipient, &c. The clasp for the silver and bronze medals is the same in shape. It is usually awarded to those who are already in possession of a medal, for a second act of bravery, equal in merit to the previous act, for which a medal has been granted for saving life. A blue ribbon is attached to the ordinary medal, but to the Clarke medal, founded in 188 t by the Hon. Sir W. J.
Clarke, Bart., which correspond, to the English Stanhope medal, a distinctive ribbon—red, with white stripe at either side, and special clasp—is affixed. This medal may be either of gold or silver, according to the merit of the act for which it is awarded. All the awards of this society are honorary, not pecuniary, the idea of the directors being to place all the holders of their awards on the same platform, and to form one muster-roll of brave men, irrespective of rank or colour.
The New Zealanders at pre. sent depend on the society for any recognition of bravery, but strong efforts are being made to induce the Government of the colony to award the New Zealand Cross, at present bestowed for gallant conduct in the field of battle, for courageous acts in the water involving personal risk.
At a number of ports in the United Kingdom there are local Humane Societies, working on similar lines to the Royal Humane Society, but their area of operations is, as a general rule, limited to their own immediate districts. Their formation is undoubtedly due to the example set by the parent body, although the immediate cause of their establishment has in some cases been the result of sudden distress. For instance, the foundation of the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society was due to a great hurricane which swept over the Irish Channel in the early part of January, z839. So great was the suffering owing to shipwrecks, that a public meeting was called at the Underwriters' Rooms, Liverpool, for the purpose of raising funds to meet the exigencies of the occasion and to form a per manent institution for the relief of sufferers, as well as to reward those who saved life. The sum of 5,000l. was subscribed in a few days, and ultimately a balance of over 3,000/. remained for future needs.
This society has for its objects the saving of human life, particularly in cases of shipwreck in the neighbourhood of Liverpool ; the rewarding of persons instrumental in rescuing human life from danger, and the relief of the widows and orphans of those who may perish in the attempt to save others. It also relieves the immediate necessities of those saved, and assists them in getting to their destination, as well as generally granting rewards and relief in deserving cases.