LATE CAPTAIN BOLLONS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 115, 11 November 1929, Page 11

LATE CAPTAIN BOLLONS

MEMORIAL TABLET UNVEILED

"I foci it a great honour to have beeu asked to unveil and dedicate to tlio memory of Captain Bolloiis a memorial tablet in this church to-day," said the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson) at All Saints' Church, Kilbirnie, yesterday morning on the occasion of the unveiling of a memorial to the late Captain John Peter Bollons, which had been erected by the officers and crew of his late, ship, the Tutanekai. The officers and crew of the Tutanekai attended the service, which was appropriate to the occasion, and tho large congregation included representatives of all walks of life. Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergusson and General Sir Alexander Russell, .K.C.M.G., accompanied the GovernorGeneral. Among those present were Mrs. E. J. Seddon, Mr. G. C. Godfrey (Secretary Marine Department), Mr. B. W. Millier (Assistant Secretary Marino Department), Mr. A. D. Park (Assistant Secretary of the Treasury and formerly of the Marine Department), Mr. F. "W. Furkert (Engineer-in-Chief of the Public Works Department), Mr. P. V. Versehaffelt (Public Service Commissioner), Captain W. Wilcox (Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine), Captain G. P. Hall (Assistant Superintendent of tho Mercantile- Marine), Mr. W. A. Eraser (lighthouse expert), Mr. J. W. Mitchell, Mr. E. H. Field, Captain J. W. Burgess (master of tho Tutanekai), and representatives of lighthouse keepers and ex-lighthouse keepers, with whom Captain Bollons was so intimately associated. There wore also present Mrs. Bollons (widow), Mr. and Mrs. Alan Bollons (son), Mr. Desmond Bollons (son), and the late captain's four daughters. Before unveiling the memorial tablet His Excellency gave a very short address, which, he felt would be in keeping with Captain Bollons's wish. "I think we may all thank God for having known him—for the example of Ids life, lived honorably, faithfully, and without reproach, and for the inspiration that comes to us from such a life," said Sir Charle3. "He was a man whose attributes would be very difficult to sum up in a few words. First of all, he was a great seaman. He was such a man, who in other days, might well have been an explorer as was Captain Cook. He was a man who loved the sea and everything connected with it. He read widely and had a wonderful store of knowledge. . . . He was a born scientist, and loved all Nature and everything pertaining to it. "But what we most of all want to remember, "continued Sir Charles, "is the personality of the man himself. He was simple, kindly, lovable, with high principles, integrity, and uprightness. His sense of duty with his frankness, and a love of truth, inspired with confidence all with whom he came into contact. All faces lightened up at the very sight of him. He brought sunshine with him, and his death brought sorrow to ninny hearts. He had been honoured by the King with the Imperial Service. Order for faithful service—long days of faithful service to God, King, and country, and to his fellow-men. He leaves behind him a precious memory. I know his word to us would be simple and plain; —just carry on.'' At. the conclusion of His Excellency's address Tennyson's ■ beautiful poem, "Crossing the Bar," was rendered as a solo by Mr; F. H. Porter.