MR. DUNDAS WHITETo ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether his attention has been directed to the circumstances following the total loss of the British ship "Dundonald," in the course of her return voyage from Sydney to Falmouth, on Desolation Island, one of the Auckland group, about 180 miles south of New Zealand, in March of last year; to the manner in which the survivors succeeded in maintaining them- 617 selves under circumstances of almost unprecedented difficulty throughout the southern winter and in constructing a primitive craft and so reaching another island of the group, from which they were afterwards rescued; how the safety of the party was largely due to the capable leadership, for a period of more than six months, of the second mate, Mr. Daniel Aloysius M'Laughlin, of Old Kilpatrick, Dumbartonshire, whose conduct was worthy of the best traditions of the merchant service; and whether he can see his way to making any award to Mr. M'Laughlin in recognition of that conduct.
(Answered by Mr. Lloyd-George.) Yes, Sir, my attention has been called to the loss of the British ship "Dundonald," and to the services rendered by Mr. D. A. M'Laughlin. The case has been carefully considered by the Board of Trade, and, while highly appreciating the praiseworthy manner in which Mr. M'Laughlin performed a difficult duty imposed upon him in exceptional circumstances, they regret that the case is not one in which they can grant any reward.