THE WILTSHIRE WRECK

Taranaki Daily News, 13 June 1922, Page 3

THE WILTSHIRE WRECK

OVATION TO THE CAPTAIN,/ PRAISE FOR KATOA’S MEN. The master of the wrecked Wiltshire, Captain B. G. Hayward, and three of his officers were the guests of the Auckland Rotary Club at the weekly luncheon this week, when, they were tendered a most enthusiast!© welcome. Mr. A. G. Lunn, who presided, referred to the disaster, and said that while the wreck might have developed into an appalling catastrophe with frightful loss of life, they had every reason to be thankful that every life had been saved. (Applause.) On behalf of the Rotary Club he offered to Captain Hayward and his officers and crew the sincerest congratulations on their rescue, and. the hope that they would be completely restored to their normal health and enabled to resume their duties. He paid a tribute to the splendid work of the rescue party, and spoke of the inspiring example the GovernorGeneral, Lord JeHicoe, had given in welcoming the men of the Wilt-shire on their arrival in Auckland. Mr. Lunn mentioned that after waiting on the wharves under most unpleasant conditions for over an hour, the GovernorGeneral was the first to board the KaI toa and extend his congratulations to . Captain Hayward and his crew on their : fortunate escape. All New Zealanders I were proud, of the lead Lord Jellicoe had given in the matter. (Applause.) Continuing, the* chairman said he wished to congratulate the harbormaster, Captain H. Sergeant, and Mr. D. Carter, the local manager of the Union . Steam Ship Company, for their efforts i in organising and sending all necessary J assistance from Auckland. He also mentioned that if called upon the memj bers of the club would live up to the very best spirit of their organisation and afford any further assistance rei quired. CREDIT DUE TO WORKERS ON ISLAND. When called upon to speak, Captain Sergeant said the chairman had rather over-estimated the part he had played in bringing about the ultimate rescue of the men on the Wiltshire. He had merely carried out his duty in seeing that all that was possible was done at the Auckland end, but the credit for the thrilling rescue was entirely due to the party which had done such splendid j work at the Great Barrier. He added i that it was a matter of very great sat- | isfaction to the men concerned in the ! rescue work to know that all the men ■ from the Wiltshire had bgen landed j safely. (Applause.) Captain Hayward was loudly cheered when he rose to express his thanks. He said that he had no idea when lie was invited to the luncheon that he would .be called upon to make a speech. (Laughter.) He said there had been a lot of eulogy, but from the first they had all been overwhelmed with their welcome in Auckland. He felt sure he was among friends. He would like to emphasise that it was to the chief officer and the crew of the Katoa-, more than anybody, that they owed their escape. This statement was greeted with continued applause. Continuing, Captain Hayward said he did not in any way want to disparage the work of the Navy, which was at all times magnificent, but the men of the Katoa had been the first to establish communication between the ship and the shore, and it was this first work that was the most arduous. The gear which the men of the Katoa had set up at the beginning was that with which the whole party was brought ashore. These men lowered each other down a perpendicular cliff, and one of them dashed into the surf to get the line, an act which resulted in all the party being saved. (Applause.) ASTONISHED AT RECEPTION. “I must say, on behalf of my officers j and crew,” continued Captain Hayward, i ‘’that we were astonished and most delighted with the reception wo received in Auckland. Everybody is ready to grasp our hands and desirous of doing something for us. I must thank you all very much for that. We have only been in Auckland about 48 hours and everybody is ready to treat us as their greatest friends. Coming up the harbor on Saturday I thought there must be another war on. (Laughter.) I can assure you that we did not feel like heroes, and we certainly did not look like heroes. (Laughter.) But it seemed as if we had won the whole war. I must thank you for your most kindly words, which I feel we do not deserve. II am certain that my officers agree, and my crew, if they were here, would also ' agree with me when I say that I thank i you most heartily for ail your kind exi pressions of welcome.” The members cheered the speaker, and all rose and sang “Rule, Britdnnia.” and a verse of “Pack Up Your Troubles In Your Old Kit Bag,” the chairman remarking that he thought the troubles of their guests were pretty well at an end.