CAPTAIN A. H. DAVEY

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 118, 12 February 1941, Page 8

CAPTAIN A. H. DAVEY

Farewell By Master Mariners LONG SERVICE AT SEA Captain A. 11. Davey, master of the Awatea, who Ims retired Horn the mercantile service after 31 years’ with the I mon Steam Snip Company of New Zeamnd, Ltd., was the guest of honour at a lurewell luiictiou m Wellington last evening, given by tin: New Zealand Company ol' .Master Mariners, .Many ol me caj,laiu s old shipmales were tai-.-ent. They wished him health and imppiuess in nis reuiemem, and congiainlated mm on his long and suecessiu. career.

Ine toast to Captain Dave) )va c pro-I'O.-ed by the Wellington tmrbournmsler, Captain I’. 8. Peterson, ami the secretary of the Merchant Service Guild. Captain I’. A. Macindoe. Belli paid a tribute to the sterling qualities of Captain Davey as a master marine.-, and expressed regret that be had been forced through ill-health to retire from

Captain Peterson said lie bad sailed across the Tasman more than once in the Awatea, and had never heard Captain Davey speak detrimentally of any of his officers. He had always placed well-deserved confidence in his officers, which in itself was a tribute to the man in charge.

These sentiments were endorsed by Captain Macindoe, who added that Captain Davey had won the love of all seamen with, whom he had come in contact during his many years at sea.

Thanking the speakers for their remarks, Captain Davey recalled past Mays when, as a lad, he set off to seek adventure "in deep water.” “This function tonight is the finest thing I have ever had happen to me,” he said, "and I can only say that I thank you all from the bottom of my heart.” The master of ceremonies, Captain S. Holm, apologized for the absence of the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, the Minister of Marine, Mr. Semple, and the president of the New Zealand Company of Mariners, Sir Charles Statham, none of whom were able to be present.

The Navy was represented by Lieu-tenant-Commander Roberts, and Comman'der Cornelius, and the Marine Department by the secretary. Mr. I. B. Campbell, and Mr. N. Millier. During the evening some newsreels depicting various engagements in the war were shown, including a vivid picture of the naval engagement between the British and French fleets at Oran, Algeria.

Captain and Mrs. Davey are to make their home in Auckland.