AFTER 50 YEARS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 August 1924, Page 1

AFTER 50 YEARS

WECLIXGTOX, July 29. There was a notable Catherine oil hoard the Xew Zealand .Shipping Company's It.AI.S. Memuera this afternoon. and the speeches that were made were worthy of the distinguished company that had assembled. Commander Cameron. 1T.X.1!.. the master of the

ship, presided, and on his rgiht was ! trd Jrllicoe of Svapa. and on lii« left .Mr .Massey. .Several otticer.s of the

senior service were also present. The o'.casinn was a luiiehemi given by a company whose history has lieen tn a great extent connected with the | rug.ess i f X: \v Zealand. It was in honour of Cajitaiu I!me. who has been for fifty years in the evviie of the Xew Zealand ,S'!ii ! '.iiig Company, and who now, in his 72ml -ear, has asked l i he allowed to retire.

It perhaps dime as a sutprise to tli I’oliti - inns who were present to lint that in the mrreaiiiile marine, as wel

as in the senior service, there were orators who could hold their own with the best of them.

Commander CuineiMii. in proposing the health ef tlie Governor-General

and l. uly Jellieoe, | aid an elcqaeill and touching tribute to the Viscount of Fiapu for his great work in the war, and lie referred also to tlio affection in which he was acid by 11 t whole of the mercantile murine, remarks which were heartily applauded Lord Jellieoe spoke charmingly, as he always does on such occasions, lie was evidently much touched with what load lieen said about him, hut he mingled with his remarks those touches of humour which he so aptly introduces on such occasions. After listening to Commander Caineioa’s remarks, he said, it was evident to him that a change was coming ever the seaman, inasmuch as lie was becoming ipuililied as a statesman and an orator. (Laughter.) As for himself, lie said, it was no wonder that lie belt :t strong sympathy with the oliicers and men of the mercantile marine, seeing that his own lather was a mercantile mariic' ollieer. (Applause). "I myself." lie added, "was nn-rcanl ile-mn i inc barn and I am a New Zealander at heart." (Applause). During the course of Ill's interesting speech. 1.0,'d Jellieoe paid a very warm tribute to the splendid work of the mercantile marine in the war. lie had nt) hesitation In saying that during the submarine menace of 1917 if it had not been I’m the resolute, the murage, and the determination of the ollii els and men of the mercantile marine, Great Miitain would have lost tlm war. (Loud applause.) lie was exceedingly proud of having been tusked to do honour to a great omitme.iit ef the mercantile marine, ’’a.ptain Cone. (Applause). “I’m not sure whether he still toil Ids sett life before 1 did,'’ .added Lord Jellieoe. “I don’t think he (lid. He doesn't look like u " (Laughter.)