HALF A CENTURY AT SEA.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20334, 5 September 1931, Page 19

HALF A CENTURY AT SEA.

CAPTAIN G. U. RUXTON RETIRES. (PKEda ASSOCIATION TW.808.4M.) WELLINGTON, September 4. After nearly half a century of sea, of which over 34 years were spent in the service of the Union Steam Ship Company, in which ho held the command of ships for, 21 years, Captain Georgo M. Ruxton has retired with the intention of settling ashore at Sydney. A native of New Zealand, George Huston went to sea at an early age, sailing with his father, who successively commanded the topsail schooner Spray and the brigantine Endeavour in the Lyttelton-Hokitilca trade. After gaining his second mate's certificate, young Ruxton served several years in sailing ships, trading to various parts of the world. He passed for his master's certificate at Wellington, and entered the service of the Union Company on November 2nd. 1895, wnen he was appointed fourth officer of the first Monowai. Captain Ruxton roceived his first appointment to a command on November 19th* 1910, when he became master of the Ivaitangata, in which he had been chief officer for some months. Durine the last 21 years, Captain Ruxton has commanded no fewer than 26 of the Union Company's steamers. He served during the war period in command of the Kanna, which acted for 4i years as collier for the Australian Navy.