AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 281, 28 November 1938, Page 8

AFTER FIFTY YEARS.

IN SAIL AND STEAM. CAPTAIN" S. HEWITT RETIRES. After being at sea for dose on 50 vears, Captain S. Hewitt, of Auckland, has retired from the employ of the Cnion Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd. He came ashore when the motor vessel Kauri arrived at Port Chalmers on Friday last. He intends to reside at French Bay, Titirangi. Captain Hewitt is a Yorksliireman and when 14 years of age in IHHU. His first ship was the full-rigged ship Milton Parle, owned bv GeoiW Gordon and Coni]>any, of Glasgow. the age of IS Captain Hewitt was third mate of the Milton Park. After serving in two other ships belonging to the same company, he sat for his master's squarerig ticket. Captain Hewitt traded in many parts o"f the world before leaving the sea and coming to New Zealand in 1010. He entered the timber trade in the employ of the Levland-O'Brien Timber Company. Ltd., Auckland, and also farmed in the King Country. The call of the sea, however, proved irresistible. In 1917 Captain Hewitt joined the Union Steam Ship Company, Ltd.. as third officer of the Wliangape. He was appointed master of the Rakanoa in 1924, and since then lias commanded more than 20 vessels on every route over which the company operates. He was in his last ship, the Kauri, in the Australian trade for six months. Captain Hewitt has a fine record in that lie has never grounded or lost a ship in hie command.