HEROISM ON TAHITI

Hawera Star, Volume L, 10 September 1930, Page 5

HEROISM ON TAHITI

GOVERNOR-GENERAL ’8 TRIBUTE

(By Telegraph —Press Association.) WELLINGTON, .Sept. 9

Warm appreciation of the heroism displayed by the master, officers and men of the Tahiti was expressed by the Governor-General at the anniversary meeting this evening of the Sailors"’ Friend .Society. The Governor said lie had never come across a more thoroughly modest party of men who desired only to be regarded as those who in an "emergency harl> done their duty. . , , i lie was impressed particularly by the attitude of ‘Captain Toten, who had expressed as skipper of the boat the appreciation all New Zealanders entertained of the coolness, promptness and courage with which the- e.rqw had acted and endeavoured to save not merely the passengers, hut also the ship. The' captain, with modesty worthy of a great man, had stated that they did but do their duty, and that the men whom they were thinking of all the time, and who really deserved the tribute were those down, in the engine room working in the dark with water rising, and not knowing whether it was going to bo possible: to save the ship from one half-hour to another. ‘lt, iwas a fine tribute from a great man, and a very modest one,” said His Excellency.