MERIT REWARDED.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 18, Issue 1108, 31 August 1871, Page 2

MERIT REWARDED.

The Wanganui Chronicle says;—A few months ago, our readers will remember, there appeared in our columns au interesting description of the storm in the Atlantic wherein the captain audi the first and second officers of the steamship Europa were washed overboard and the command of the steamer devolved, under very serious circumstances, upon .. Mr Fiulay, an old resident in Wanganui, By the English mail just arrived we are in a position to lay before our readers the account of how this timely daring was rewarded. On the afternoon of Friday, April 28, a number of gentlemen met on board the Europa in New York harbor to do honor to Officer Finlay for his distinguished conduct in bringing the Europa safely into port after the dreadful gales which the vessel encountered, with the loss of her commander and officers, on the night of March 4th. Mr A. D. vorson, in presenting Mr Finlay, in the name of the subscribers, with a United States bond for 1,000 dollars in gold, spoke in high terms of the courage displayed by Mr Finlay on taking command of the vessel after the sad accident occurred and his skilful management in bringing her safely to land. The handsome gift was handed to Mr Finlay amidst the applause of the spectators. On thanking his friends for their valued testimonial, Mr Finlay alluded very feelingly to the loss of his brother officers, and expressed an earnest wish .that he would never again be called on to do his duty under such melancholy and trying circumstances. The company was afterwards entertained to a collation. We understand that, in addition to the gift presented to Mr Finlay, the boatswain and his mate were each presented with fifty dollars. The Europa sailed next day for Glasgow under the command of Captain Campbell, formerly of the Britanjjia, an active and skilful seaman, and for several years a captain in the Anchor Line. Mr Finlay has been promoted to the position of first officer.