PRESENTATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9179, 8 October 1888, Page 10

PRESENTATIONS.

HUMANITY REWARDED. A HIGHLY interesting event took place at the office of Mr. H. P. Barber, Swedish Vice-Consul, Fort-street, on the '2Gth September. It was the presentation of a fold medal, forwarded through the Board of Commerce, Stockholm, from King Oscar of Sweden, to Captain Peter Tbeet, formerly of the Auckland three-masted schooner Buster, in recognition of his plucky conduct in rescuing four Swedish sailors of the Swedish barque Diana, wrecked at Starbuck island, in the South Pacific, on the l'_'rh of August, ISSii. On the invitation of Vice-Consul Barber, the following representative Consuls and others were present:— Air. J. T. Campbell (United States Consul), Mr. D. B. Cruickshank (Consul for France, Chili and Hawaii), Captain Webb (ViceConsul United States), Mr. Herman Brown (German Consul), Mr. V. Johanssen (Danish Consul), Mr. Kees George (Portuguese Consul), Mr. F. J. Moss" M.H.R., Mr. H. W. Henderson (of Henderson and Macfarlane, the owners of the Buster), Mr. James Macfarlane, Captain Lundmark (of the Swedish ship Stevanger now in Calliope Dock), Mr. F. B. Macindoe, and other gentlemen. Captain Theet was also present. The medal is gold, rather larger and thicker than a sovereign. It Is a plain medallion, and the lettering is in raised characters. The reverse side bears the head of King Oscar of Sweden in the same manner as on a coin, and around the circle are the words, " Oscar 11. Rex Sveegar Norviga Goth et Vard." The obverse sale bears across the front the name of Captain Tlieet, and around the rim the motto, " Sui memores alios fecire merendo." The clasp encloses a crown and the national ribbon of honour is attached. Mr. H. P. Barber, said that in April, ISB7, he had received a letter from Mr. F. J. Moss informing him as Consul of the rescue by Captain Theet, of the threemasted schooner Buster, of four Swedish seamen, of the Swedish barque Diana, from a small coral island about four miles by two miles, and not 100 feet high, ii, tiie South Pacific. On receiving' the lett lie (Mr. Barber) communicated with Colonel Pierce, the Swedish Consul in Wellington, who wrote to the Stockholm Board of Commerce, and the result was that this medal was forwarded for presentation to Captain Theet. On receiving the medal lie (Mr. Barber) communicated with Captain Theet, asking when he would like it presented, but Cap tain Theet expressed a wish that the presentation should be postponed until .Mr. Moss returned from Wellington, as lie (.Mr. Moss) was present as a passenger in the Buster at the time of the rescue, and had taken such a prominent part in bringing it under the notice of the consul. Mr. Barber then attached the medal to Captain Theet's breast, amidst the applauseof those present, and wished him long life to wear it. Mr. Moss then stated the circumstances of the case, and said he felt that if ever a man deserved a medal for saving life it was Captain Theet, and on his return to Auckland he wrote to Mr. Barber, the Swedish Vice-Consul, who at once interested himself in the affair, with the result which they were there that day to celebrate. Captain Theet, in acknowledging the presentation, said in doing what he had done he had only done that which humanity dictated, and which one man ought to be be expected to do for another, and he was in that position that he was not in fear that he would be censured by his owners, as some captains would be for losing two days of time. The result showed that he was not wrong, for on reporting the matter to Messrs. Henderson and Macfarlane, they told him he had done quite right. Those present then drank the health of Captain Theet in bumpers of champagne, and wished him many years of happiness and prosperity, during which he could wear the honourable medal which had been conferred on him.

ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY'S MEDALS. During the meeting of die Auckland City Council on Sept. '27 a very interesting ceremony took place. It was the presentatior of the medal of the Royal Humane Society of Australasia to Constable Luke McDon nell, and a cerfcilicate of merit to Thomas Scarrett. The Gazette notification re Luke McDonnell, which was read by Mr. Crowther, Acting Mayor, was as fallows :— "Luke McDonnell, a water pclice eonstable, saved the life of Janus Briggs (aged 38 years) from drowning in Auckland Harbour, on the ."Ist May, 188,'. Briggs fell into the water at the Queen-street Wharf on a dark night; Mr. McDonnell, hearing the splash, jumped into the water, supported Briggs till help cau.e, when lie was rescued. Awarded a bronze medal.'' The Chairman of the Council, in making the presentation, said that on behalf of the Council, and on behalf of th > citizens of Auckland, he had great pier sure in presenting to Mr. McDonnell this medal of the Royal Humane Society, and he was glad that they had amongst then a man who had courage, bravery, skill, and ability to meet emergencies as they arose. Mr. McDoNNKLL returnee, thanks as he received his medal and certi ieate. The Acting Mayor then presented to Mr. Thomas Scarrett the Royal Humane Society's certificate for re scuing Joseph Young and Laura Tuoliy, on the Gth of November. They were going off to a craft, when their boat capsized, and he put off in a flat-bottomed dingy with a single paddle and saved them. The Chairman added that they were proud to have gentlemen of such courage and skill amongst them.

On the occasion of the retirement of the matron of the Asylum (Miss Campbell), that lady entertained the female attendants to a supper. The latter took advantage of the opportunity to present her with a silver tea service and an address. Miss Campbell was much esteemed alike by the staff and the patients. On Sept. IS at the Tabernacle soiree a pleasing ceremony took place, in the shape of a presentation to Miss A. Dewar, who for seven years has given her services gratuitously at the harmonium. It seems that the date of the church anniversary was also that of her birthday, and advantage was taken of the coincidence to present her with a handsome gold watch, not in recompense, but in recognition of her services. On the exterior of the case her initials were chased, and inside was an engraved inscription, " From the Tabernacle Church in recognition of faithful service rendered as organist. September IS, ISSS.'' Mr. Spurgeon made the presentation in a few felicitous sentences, expressing a hope that, although the watch was a good one, the recipient would live to wear it out. Mis* Dewar briefly returned thanks. A number of the friends of Mr. A. Y. Hay, late accountant at the Bank of New* Zealand, assembled on September 19 in the strangers' room of the Auckland Club, in order to present to him a token of esteem and regard in which he has been held hero for many years past. The presentation was made by Mr. H. C. Tewsley, anil consisted of a richly-chased sterling silver salver, appropriately inscribed. Mr. Hay made a brief, but appropriate reply. He left for Canterbury on September 20 by the s.s. Tarawcra.

A large and influential assemblage of the Roman Catholics of Parnell and the surrounding districts took place on Sept. 2a at the residence of the Rev. Father Costello for the purpose of saying good-bye to him prior to his departure from amongst them. Mr. O'Brien, late Judge of the Native Lands Court, introduced the assemblage, and in the course of his remarks he referred to the many good qualities and the kindheartedness of his reverence. He then presented Father Costello with an address and a purse of sovereigns. The rev. gentleman made a suitable reply, and said that he fell) deeply grateful for the expressions contained in the address.

Mr. Fish's constituents, Duncrlin, presented him with a purse containing 90 sovereigns.