YON LUCKNER'S CAPTORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 78, 1 April 1922, Page 5

YON LUCKNER'S CAPTORS.

iTo the Editor.) Sir.—The "New Zealand Herald" published a paragraph under the date of the ' 2Sth inst.j wherein it was stated that a silver medal was granted, with a ; cl eque for £100; to inspector HowaxcL i The same paragraph incidentally men- J tioned my name, and stated that I would < be the recipient oi a like award. Per- < sonally I have no objection to Mr. J Howard gaining anything. I should j much rather he gained than that he lost. • What, 1 do object to is that he is given a special diploma. This diploma may only be obtained by or for a deed or ( deeds which was or were carried out hy < ono's own initiative or action. I protest that it was I who captured yon Luckner, and that his capture was brought about ; by mc and my efforts only. So soon as ] I received information as to a "suspic- \ ious" craft off the Island of Wakaya, I, ; along with Mr. Jack March, proceeded in a cutter for the purpose of investigating the bona-fides of the report. Owing to stress of weather we were compelled to i return to Levuka. By this time the s.s. Amra had arrived. 1 thereby alvised his , Excellency the Governor of my inability , to make the passage and asked that the s.s. Amra might be obtained for the purpose of assisting my quest. Such was granted. 1 joined the s.s. Amra at five the following morning, and found Inspector Howard a passenger en route to | Suva. When I was putting off from the Amra, to intercept yon Luekner, Inspector Howard said, "Can I come with you ':" (These* were his words). I said "Yes." Until yon Luckner was a prisoner and aboard the Amra the conduct of affairs was entirely in mv hands. I certainly will not be a joint-recipient with Inspector Howard. So rather than accept the honorarium of £100 I shall return it to the generous donors, Messrs. Lloyd's. This because of my principle which dictates that only he who earns the reward should be rewarded.—l am, etc., H. C. HILLS.