The Wilstshire Wreck.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 January 1923, Page 4

The Wilstshire Wreck.

KATn.VS lIKSCCK WOIIK. SKI; VICKS OK MB BOW KING If KCOGNISKD. WKId.I.NGTON. .lan Id. There was a. representative gatherin'.; r»i .■'looping men at luncheon on tioard the steamer Ifiiapeliu to-day. when 'a priKontniion in r.'eognition of the services rendered at the wreck of the Wiltshire was made to Mr Thomas Bowling, chief officer of the Katoa, now on tin* Maunganiii. by the directors ot line New Zealand Shipping Company. The presentation was made oil behalf of the directors by the Prime Minister. Mr .Massey. Those present included Messrs C. Iloldsworth, chairman of directors of the Cnion Co.; .1. IK C. Bond. Dominion superintendent of the New Zealand Shipping Co.; •I. Kindlay. Dominion representative of Shaw. Savill and Albion Co.; W. A. Kennedy, local manager of the Cnion Co.; I). Aiken, general manager of the* Cion Co.: and J. 0. Karl;ness, chairman of the Wellington Harbour Board. After a eulogistic speech Mr Massey presented Mr Bowling with a handsome silver tray, suitably inscribed, fn doing so lie expressed the- hope that it nas not the last they would hear of the recipient, who had a real sailor’s name. Mr Bowing briefly responded, thanking Mr Massey for his remarks, and modestly expressing the opinion that ho had only played n small part in a great adventure. BETTER. FROM OOVERNOB(MIXER AC. The following letter was received from the Governor-General;— “Government House. Auckland. June Dull.. 1922—Dear Captain Plowman:—“T did not have* the opportunity of telling you how great my admiration was for the work carried out hy the officers and men of your ship Katoa in effecting the rescue of the •hip’s company of the Wiltshire. I

have heard of all sorts of tine leadership displayed by Mr Bowling, chief officer, and of the endurance shown by him during that fateful forty-eight hours. The courage and ready resource which characterised the- tine effort of .Seaman Keogh was rewarded hy the saving of over a hundred lives and has won him the admiration of all Auckland, indeed the name of the Katoa is not likely to he forgotten within the history of the Dominion. I trust that special individual acts of gallantry may be brought to notice within the proper quarter. As a brother sailor I could not refrain from writing you these few words or congratulation. Yours very truly— Jellicoe.”