Prime Minister P.J. Patterson presenting a watch to Hansel Gayle, a student of Papine Secondary School, who found and handed over a bag containing over$50,000 in cash and cheques. The young man was invited to Jamaica House on January 10, along with his mother and teacher, who were also commended by the Prime Minister.

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Hansel Gayle, a student of Papine Secondary School, found a scandal bag containing over $50,000 in cash and cheques and handed it over to the authorities who subsequently returned it to the owner.

As a result, he was invited to Jamaica House where he was congratulated personally by Prime Minister P.J. Patterson.

The Prime Minister said he was very impressed at the honesty, courage and integrity young Gayle had displayed. "It was very refreshing," the Prime Minister continued," that in these times when he is stressing the importance of the observation of national standards which can help to build our country on a sound foundation, that somebody of Hansel's age - having discovered money that had been lost took the steps to pass it to a responsible person that could ensure its return to the person who lost it."

Mother commended

In this January 14, 1994 file photo, Hansel Gayle poses with the gold-plated watch given to him by Prime Minister Patterson for his honesty when he gave up a bag with money and cheques worth $50,000.

Mr. Patterson also commended Mrs. Violet Gayle, Hansel's mother, and his teacher, Miss Claney Barnett who accompanied him on his visit to Jamaica House. "Parents and teachers have an obligation to set examples for the children and to show them the way in which they should go," Mr. Patterson said.

And three weeks later, a 16-year-old Charlie Smith student, Stanley Smith, found a wallet containing $69 and an identification card belonging to a student of Camperdown HighSchool on a bus plying the Rockfort route. He took it to the office of the principal of Camperdown, and when asked what motivated him to do this he said, "I am a Christian".