The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1888-12-26

presented Chief Officer Hart with
valuable gold medal bearing q suit
able inscription; also silver medals
and f2 in coin to each of the four
seamen Of the Mariposa who parti-
cipated in the rescue, accompanying
each gift with few wcll-chosen
words of commendation.
Capt. Hayward, in reply to the
toast of his health, took occasion
to disclaim for himself any special
merit in the rescue Of the passen-
gers and crew of the Henry James.
The prime factor in such n case is
that ships captain should know
his employers. 1t did not take long
for him to make up his mind what
to do when he received Lieutenant
Cressup's letter. He asked him
self what Mr.. Spreckels would do if
he were on board. He knew that
Mr.. Sprcckcls would say at once,
"go and rescue these people," and
feeling that his conduct would be
approved by his employers, he did
not hesitate one moment, but shaped
his course to Palmyra Island and
was fortunate in rescuing these peo-
| pie from their trying and almost
desperate situation. The credit
therefore really belonged to Mr..
Spreckels, who said when the facts
were reported to him, "you did
| quite right" 1t was encourage
ment of this kind by others that
enabled commanders of ships to
perform meritorious acts in the
cause of humanity. For himself,
he made no claim to special merit.
He had simply done his duty to his
fellowmen, in the fullest confidence
that his conduct would be endorsed
by his employers.
Mr.. Chas. Mason, III. B. MS
Vice-C Consul, on behalf of the British
Government paid high compli-
ment to Captain Hayward, and said
that the conduct of Mr.. Spreckels
in this affair had been highly ap-
preciated by the British Government.
Instead ofmaking claim for payment
for the rescue, passages and main
tenance of these people he had re-
fused to receive any consideration
whatever for the very valuable SER
vices rendered, and the expenditure
incurred in the maintenance and
transportation of the shipwrecked
crew and passengers of the British
bark Henry James. That was a
very liberal and generous act, and
it was highly appreciated by the
British Government, who would
have been pleased to pay any charge
that might have been made for it.
This illustrated the liberal, manly,
and enlightened policy of the
Oceanic Steamship Company, which
was identified with the commercial
development of important British
Colonies in the South Pacific as con-
tractors for the transportation of the
Australian and New Zealand mail.
He trusted that the bonds of friend
ship thus established might be
strengthened in the future.
Chief Mate Hart made brief ac-
acknowledgement of the compliment
paid him in the toast of his health.
This is the third medal awarded
him by the British Government in
assisting to save life at sea.
Several toasts were proposed and
responded to. Among the speakers
were Hon. VIM. G.. Irwin, Homo
lulu; John ID. Spreckels, President
of the Oceanic S. S. Company !;
Director Collins, S. Shortbridge, Re-
publican elector; Mayor Pond, and
Robt. j. Creighton, Agent for New
Zealand Government, who said that
the contracting colonies cordially
approved of Captain Hayward S
humane act in rescuing twenty-five
British people, cast away on bar
rem islet in an unfrequented part OF
the Pacific Ocean. Doubtless Cap
tain Hayward had assumed serious
responsibility in changing his voyage
under postal contract with foreign
, governments, but the result justified
his action. Ii there had been 9
| delay in delivering the mail, under
the circumstances no penalty would
have been imposed; but this con-
tingency did not arise. The good
ship Mariposa went long way out
, of her course and rescued these
: people, and arrived in San Fran
, cisco on time.
: After spending a most enjoyable
: evening, the guests took their leave
| of Captain Hayward, agreeably i'm
! pressed with the hospitality of the
, President and Directors of the
, | Oceanic Steamship COmnany.