PRESENTATION.

Evening Star, Issue 4279, 13 November 1876, Page 2

PRESENTATION.

About thirty gentlemen, representing the consignees and underwriters interested in the recent voyage of the ship Thomasina M'Lellan, met in the large room of the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon, for the purpose of presenting to Captain Gibb a written address and testimonial expressive of their appreciation of his conduct in a time of great peril.

Mr Tewslxt, who was called to the chair, after detailing the circumstances which necessitated the ship's detention at Bio, mentioned that the claims upon the Bhip were a mere bagatelle, only two per cont., and only one case (of pillage (for which, of course, the captain could not be held responsible) having occurred. In asking Captain Gibb to accept this address and testimonial, they did not wish for a moment to do so as a reward of doing his duty, but they did it because he had attended to all their interests, not in a perfunctory way, as some men in similar eiroumstances would hare done, bat had done so as well as he possibly could. He concluded by reading the following address, and presenting Captain Gibb with a purse containing 100 guineas. " To Captain John Gibb.—The undersigned consignees and underwriters interested in the late voyage of the Thomasina M'Lellan from Britain to Dunedin, desire to mark their sense of the skill as a seaman/ and the thoroughly prompt and business' like manner in which, as the person in command charged with the responsibility of acting as agent for all interested, you met the circumstances of danger in which your vessel was placed by the spontaneous combustion of the coal carried as dead weight. By your intelligent and considerate management, the expenses were reduced to a minimum and the loss of time to many signing, a matter of even greater consequence, was very small—so small that here in New Zealand the mishap was scarcely wired when the ship herself put in an appearance. Ihis written testimonial chiefly, and in a minor degree the aceompanying present, are intended by the signers as an evidence that a thorough and intelligent discharge of one's duty is worthy of, and deserves recognition." (Here followed the signatures.) Captain Gibb : The nattering and substantial testimonial presented to me this day has taken me so much by surprise, that I am at a loss to find words to express my thanks to those gentlemen who have so kindly come forward and subscribed to it. A purse of money is at all times acceptable, but under present circumstances I hold this written testimonial you have been- pleased to present me with in far higher estimation In this you have generously signified your approbation of the way in which the. ship's business referred to has been managed. I consider that in the whole affair I have only endeavored to discharge my duty as a shipmaster ought to do in the interest of all concerned, when pi iced in similar oircumstanceß; On my return Home, I will purchase Bomethng of a lasting nature to keep as a souvenir, and to remind me, if that were necessary, of the kindness and consideration I have received at your hands this day. It only remains'" for me now to thank you all for your kind consideration and very handsome present. —(Applause.) The Chaieman : All that remains for us to do is to wish Captain Gibb every success in his future seaman's and mercantile career, and to hope that should he ever be placed in similar circumstances of danger, the consignees in that case may be as fortunate as we have been in this. The proceedings then terminated.