PRESENTATION

Grey River Argus, 22 December 1920, Page 6

PRESENTATION

There was a large gathering at tlie Iteefton Council Chambers on Mo.iday evening tb«i occasion being a- presentation to Mr A. Ecklund, in the form of a medal ai'.l a sum of money contributed by the citizens of the surrounding- districts. Mr J. B. Auld occupied the chair, and in a neat spee'eh eujioliised Mv Ecklund' s brave act, in saving his mate's life. Mi" M. JY.-£.i:i l.ijuit the presntation a.id said it gave him grant "pleasure 'to bs there on sucb a.i occasion. Mr Ecklund, he said, was working with his mate, War.-.n, in the Murray Greek Mine, rad tlit-y liad churged three huletj to fire. Ahi-i tlic holes v.-ero charged, Eckluml went above and. Warren lit the fuses, in some way the iiust hole exploded, and Warren was hurt, Ecklund knew that his mate would be killed, if the others exploded before he was brought up. Eckluml at ont\>- descended, and at the risk of his life rescuefl Warren. Thf only official recognition of his valour .which could be obtained was thf P^nce Edward Medivl. He made efforts to get this for Mr Ecklund, but in tlie meantime JlO asked .Mr Ecklund to r.ecept a medal,, with the story oi" his bravery i 1 scribed on it. Tho Kp.ginecr (Mr Stephenson), had joined in wi-.ii the Union and assisted in profrriiii; this, he fully ap])rccijvtcr' Mr | E'ackland's action. Mr Faga 1 mentioned the dangerous work of a- miner, p.iul the fact that in 1912 the Union luicl fought sijmjiisl sinixlo-hwuled ein - v/oy inent . '"' The U .l ion.' s w I itlont •in doing this was showed by the accident which hud just happened. He presented Mr Ecklund with a bundle-of-jiotesi contributetl by 'Uu- residents of the outlying districts. Mr J. Slcplv.mson also spoke in praise of Mr J'Miluud's brave a-ction. Mr Ecklund in rising to sepak was greeted with cheers. He said that he had only •lore iiis duty, and any other man would have done what he had done. He thanked them for their generous gifts.