ORDERS OF MERIT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5394, 1 March 1879, Page 6

ORDERS OF MERIT.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —I see by the papers that the Harbour Board aro about gathering au heatic information in reference to the lato boat accident in Auckland harbour, with the intention of recoinmeuding the Royal Humane Society to confer upon Dr. Hainca and other gentlemen the society's medal for saviug life. Now, what occurred to mu was this : Why send to Kogland for an order of merit? If the people here are auxious to encourage high and noble deeds in their fellow-men, why not have a colonial order of merit? But, really, is it worth while to rnako so much of what auy person would have done under the eircumstauees 1 It cannot be a rare thiog, in a doctor at all events, to save life ; and* if a testimonial is to bo givm to him, let ii come from the people here. The fact is, this sort of thing is d«>ue to death. Why, Bir, I knew an ex-mayor, of say, " Testimonial ville," receive a handsome present, for what—gulling the p-.ople to their hearts' content, and when an old Teatimouialvillian sent him a piece of plate of British manufacture, ho had not the ordinary courtesy to acknowledge the gift. Of course, Mr. ISditor, I do not undervalue the noble action, if you will, of these gentlemen ; but if you must make some recognition of their services outside the very handsome letter of thanks from the survivors ami the approval of their own conscience, don't go outside the colony for it. Besides, you might set more value on the lives of the survivors than they do themselves. I've | done a little in that line myself some years ago, aud I know that onco out of the 4 'suds," j with their feet on dryland, they don't think so much of the service rendered as other people do.—l am, &e., P>lci: Ja«kkt. Parnell, February 2S, 1579.