Captain Sparke replied for both Mr. Houghton and himself, remarking that gallantry was an extras vacant term to use in auch a connexion. He and his brother officer nevertheless appreciated to the full, the valuable marks of esteem which had been presented, Captain T. T, Lauronson, p.s.c, speaking on behalf of both guilds, members of which Captain Sparke and Mr, Houghton were, expressed official appreciation of the Kau-Kong Chamber's action and trusted thut happy relations would continue, Ietiween owners, shippers and off-cers of the vessels engaged in the trade.
The presentations made consisted of silver cups to both officers and a silken scroll to Captain Sparke, embroidered with similar sentiments that were engraved on the cuba, addition, Mr. Houghton received a gold chain with a medallion inscribed "For gallant efforts in Both cups were inseribed as follows: "Presented by the Nam Hot, Kaukong Chamber of Commerce and the passengers of the Kaukong District to (Captain -Wittiam Hugh Sparke)—(Ci Engineer Marcellus F. Houghton) in recognition of the gallantry he displayed in repelling a_piratical attack on the str. San Nam Hoi fon January 17, 1928. By his galant conduct he succeeded in protecting the lives of all the Chinese passengers and saved the ship."
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.