VETERAN MARINER DEAD.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 221, 18 September 1929, Page 9

VETERAN MARINER DEAD.

CAPTAIN JOHN BOLLONS. LONG SEA SERVICE. Flags flew at half-mast .on the Auckland waterfront to-day, signifying the death at Wellington last evening of Captain John Bollons, master of the Government steamer Tutanekai. Captain Bollons was one of the best known mariners on the New Zealand coast, and had a long association with the Government steamers Hinemoa and Tutanekai. When a lad he shipped on the barque England's Glory, and came to New Zealand. Then followed a strenuous life in various vessels trading in New Zealand waters. He- was a member of the crew of a barque- that was wrecked at the Bluff. After service with the Union Steam Ship Company he joined the Bluff pilot stauV He joined the Government steamer Hinemoa as second officer, and in turn rose to chief officer and finally to master. He was finally appointed master of the Tutanekai.

Captain Bollons had an exceptional knowledge of the South Pacific, and was an acknowledged authority on literature on the sea, the history of the Maori race, and the lives and habits of seabirds and marine animals. He made an extensive collection of birds' eggs and skins, representing all varieties from the Antarctic to the tropics. He collected seashells, and on his trips carried a sinall dredging plant that would work to a hundred fathoms. Ho also had a wonderful collection of Maori curios.

In 1893 Captain Bollons was on the Hinemoa when tho crew of the British barque Spirit of the Dawn were rescued from tho Antipodes Islands, and he also rescued the crew of the French ship Anjou after they had been 90 days on Auckland Island. A couple of years later he rescued members of the barque Dundonald wrecked on Disappointment Island. He was a staunch friend of the men in the New Zealand lighthouse service, and tho visit of the Government steamer to those lonely outposts was always a welcome one. Captain Bollons was 07 years of age. He was married in 1890, his wife being a daughter of tho late Captain J. C. Hunter, of Bluff. He leaves four sons, one the second engineer of the motor ship Maui Pomare, and four daughters. His eldest son died in Canada a few years ago. The funeral will take place "at Bluff.