THE ENGINEER OF THE RIPPLE.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18150, 13 August 1924, Page 10

THE ENGINEER OF THE RIPPLE.

MR NEILSON'S VARIED CAREER. | (BPECIAI. TO "THE PSKSa.") WELLINGTON, August 12. Mr James Beaumont Neilson, chief engineer of the Ripple, was a member of an old and well-known Scottish' family. During his long service as a marine engineer he held many important posts. In his early days at sea he was shipwrecked off the coast of Scotand, and for three or four days was adrift in an open boat in the North Sea. He was picked up by the Grimsby fishing fleet. , He served his time on the Clyde, ana later worked for the British Admiralty in Brazil, his duties being connected with dredges purchased from Crown and Sons, of Scotland. He was a marine engineer in the service of the British Government in Japan, and afterwards was employed as foreman of the gun-sighting department at the Armstrong-Whitworth armament works at Elswick, near Newcastle. As second engineer of the Melanesian Mission steamer Southern Cross Mr Neilson came to New Zealand about 17 years ago. After serving as chief of one of the boats on the Northern Wairoa, he came to Wellington, where for a time he was second engineer of the dredge'Whakarirei. Later he was transferred to the hydraulic power-house on the wharf, and he worked subsequently at Wanganui, at Terakohe (as chief engineer of the Golden Bay cement works), at Ngahauranga (for the New Zealand Bacon and Meat Packing Company), and at Johnsonville (at the Wellington Brick Company's works). . About eight months ago he entered the service of Messrs Richardson and Company, joining Che Ripple as relieving engineer to the late Mr Glover. He afterwards served on the Tangaroa, and the Ruru, and again relieved Mr Glover. Some weeks ago he joined the Ripple as permanent chief en- ; gineer. .

j He took a- live interest in church ! work, and was a lay-reader of the Newj town, Berhampore, Island Bay, .and j Jolinsom-ille parishes of 'the, Church, of I England., In his younger days he served in the First" South African Regiment. He was a native of Kirkcudbright ; (Scotland) and was 65 years of age; IHe leaves' a widow (who resides" at j Island Bav), and +-.o sons (Messrs J. and Cuthbert J mm -nmit Neilson, of Wairoa (Hawked y) and Wellington J respectively. brother is a principal iin the firm of Montgomefie Neilson, Edmunds and Company, which has a branch in Wellington." Mr."^lontgom-ene-Noilson resides in Melbourne and will be in. Wellington shortly. The late Mr. Beaumont" Neilson's father lost, his life through being shot 'at by hillmen while engaged on-Brit-ish Government- engineering work *in the.. Himalaya Mountains. Neilsoh's Pass, in the Himalayas, is named after i Mr : J. Beaumont Neilson senior, f Mr Neilson was at cne time a wellknown Rugby footballer in Wellington. In his younger days he played' for Poneke and later with St. James's. He