AN OTAKI HERO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 5673, 26 April 1880, Page 3

AN OTAKI HERO.

An interesting ceremonial took place at OUM ye3terday (aays the New Zealand Times of April 23rd), when' Sir William Fox had the pleasure of decorating with the bronza medal of the Koyal Humane Society a brave old hero, William Jenkin by n»me, who is certainly as worthy of* the distinction as any man whose name appears on the rolls of the Society. When the^ unfortunate vessels, the Felixto wo and the City of Auckland, were wrecked, Mr Jenkin—who is an old whaler, of nearly 70 yeara. of age, but still possessing the skill, spirit, and strength of men who have seea only half as many winters—at once cilltd for volunteers, and proceeded to save the drowning people,_ In the case of the City of Auckland, which was the one more particularly referred to, there were about 200 souls on board, and he succeeded, after eight hours of the most arduous exertion, not even stopping to take any food, in bringing them all safely to land. The New Zealand G-ivernment conveyed t're circumstances of this gallant rescue to the" Royal Humane Socisty, the result being t^at Mr Jenkin was awarded their bronze medil, and in addition a sum of LSO was voted by the Colonial Parliament last session for dis'ribution amonj the brave men—some four or five in number—who assisted Mr Jenkin on the occasion referred to.

The presentation was made yesterday morning, duriog the customary stoppage of the coach at Otaki for breakfast. Mr Jenkin and his crew, together with a rmmbar of spec^ora assembled at the hotel, and Sir William Fox, to whom the pleasing duty of h^n iing over the badge of honour and tha LSO bad betn entruatel, made an appropriate address, in which he warmly expressed the graat admiration that was felt for the man who, alth mgh nearly 70 ye\rs of age, had by his personal bravery and skill saved the livea of upwards of 200 paopl* from the City of Auckland, making the second rescue he had effected within a week, the Felixstowe having alao gone ashore only a few days before.

Mr Jenkia made a modest reply, in the course of which it was elicited that this was the sixth occasion on which he hai been the means of saving life. Ha also attributed, in a great measure, his health and strength to his abstemious habits—a piece of information which, it need hardly be said, gratified Sir William Fox.who warmly complimented the old man on his adherence to temperance principles. In conclusion, we moat heartily congratulate Mr Jenkin on his well earned honour, and hope that he may be spared for many years to erioy it. As he has been blessed with no fewer than 12 children, there is every probability both of the distinction and the brave deed for wbich it was conferred being handed down for many a generation. *