Representatives of all branches of the Railway Service in Wellington filled the Dominion Farmers’ Institute Conference Hall on 12th September, on the occasion of the presentation of the Royal Humane Society of New Zealand's bronze medal to Mr. Cyril Mills, of the mechanical engineering staff of the Railways. Mr. Mills was instrumental in saving four lives in the fatal boating accident in the Paremata Harbour last December. The General Manager of Railways (Mr. H. H. Sterling) presided. He was supported by Messrs. M. Dennehy, Assistant-General Manager of Railways, F. C. Widdop, Chief Engineer, E. T. Spidy, Superintendent of Workshops, and G. G. Stewart, Officer in Charge of the Publicity Branch.

Amongst the visitors were: Mr. W. H. Field, M.P. for Otaki; Captain G. Hooper, Nautical Adviser to the Marine Department; and Mr. P. F. A. Coira, of the Royal Humane Society.

Mr. W. H. Field, who was introduced by Mr. Sterling, paid a tribute to Mr. Mills's act of bravery, saying that he did not know of the case of a man being more entitled to admiration. (Applause.)

Giving a more detailed account of the incident, Mr. Sterling, who made the presentation on behalf of the Royal Humane Society, said: “We are here to-day to do honour to our comrade, Mr. Mills, and I am very glad to pay tribute to him and to his act of gallantry.” Mr. Sterling said that on December 30th, 1928, six men attempted to cross the entrance of Paremata Harbour in a small dinghy, which capsized. Mr. Mills witnessed the accident, and in a small boat, went to their assistance. He managed successfully to rescue two men, and then returned for the third, and faced grave risk in a choppy sea, in getting a semi-conscious man aboard. However, having succeeded, he again set out and rescued a fourth man, at imminent peril of his life, landing this unconscious man on the beach. The other two men were drowned. “One can understand an act of bravery on the impulse of the moment, when the danger is not realised,” said Mr. Sterling, “but this incident was not one of that description. In face of obvious risk, Mr. Mills went out as his deliberate duty, and we must stamp it without any other evidence as an outstanding act of bravery.”

Mr. Sterling referred to Mr. Mills's past record, which he said thrilled them with pride. In the Great War. Mr. Mills was awarded the Mons Star and later received the Croix de Guerre. Also, at the age of 15 years, he held the swimming championship of the Midlands (England). “We are pleased,” Mr. Sterling said, addressing Mr. Mills, “that the Humane Society should have seen fit to reward your act by their bronze medal—the inscription on which reads: ‘Awarded to Cyril Vincent Mills, for an act of bravery, December 30th, 1928’—eloquent in its brevity. I personally have great feelings of pride in pinning this medal on your breast, and trust that you will enjoy long life to wear your decoration. I heartily congratulate you.”

The representative of the Royal Humane Society (Mr. P. F. A. Coira) also congratulated Mr. Mills, and, with Mr. Sterling, expressed the wish that he would long be spared to wear the decoration.

Mr. Mills, who was received with loud applause, suitably responded. He said he felt it a great honour to have received the medal at the hands of Mr. Sterling.

He was given three hearty cheers.