This medal was awarded to James Lent Martin, a quartermaster of the steamer Fifeshire whole helped in the rescue of the crew of the American ship Patrician on 28 August 1896. The wreck and rescue took place in heavy seas between New Zealand and Australia. Captain Sterling, who was at the helm of the Patrician, said his ship was "fast sinking" when the Patrician came to the rescue. " One may imagine the sea that was running when at times the hull of the Fifeshire, as seen from the wreck, would entirely disappear in the trough of the waves. This may convey to the mind the magnitude of the undertaking...had it not been for the great bravery and heroism displayed by the crew of the Fifeshire, and the risks they ran, being willing to sacrifice both life and limb, we would certainly have perished..." Source: Tuapeka Times 16 September 1896 p. 6
http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&cl=search&d=TT18960916.2.35&srpos=20&e=-------10--11----0sterling+perished+patrician-- 
Also see the National Library of New Zealand. http://natlib.govt.nz/records/22485042