LATE ALLAN HUGHES

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 46, 31 August 1928, Page 4

LATE ALLAN HUGHES

BUSINESS PERSONALITY (From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 27th July. The sudden death occurred at Hareourt House, Cavendish square, on 18th July, of Mr. Allan Hughes, chairman of the Federal Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., the Now Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd., and tho Falinouth Docks Co.; ho was, also on tho board of tho Manchester Ship Canal Co. and that of tho Union Steam Ship Co. of New Zealand. Mr. Hughes, who was 76 years of age,' loaves a widow and two daughters. "Tho'Times" has the following appreciation:' "The name of Mr. Hughes was very well known to British shipping men, and especially to those engaged in the Australian and New Zealand trades. He was", one of the outstanding figures in British shipping for • the last 50 years, and he took a largo part in the great development of the cargo services , between this country and tho oversea Dominions. He never sought publicity in any form, but preferred quietly to pull the strings in business. This;,he thoroughly .enjoyed doing, for.business- to' him was much more than work,, and1 his friends will believe that he would have wished to die, ,as ho did,' exercising' control over his various enterprises and in full possession of his,acute faculties. Physically he:was a big man, and iri business he took big • views. By those. who knew him his shrewd judgment was . immensely respected, and many were glad to seek his advice. In later years he was accustomed to come to his office for half the week, and the remaining portion he spent at his.place in Somerset. \Wben he was in town he. was visited by the chiefs of tho various businesses with which he1, was connected. He would sit in his quiet, small room in Fenchurch avenue and thore decide large questions of policy. When new' ships ■ were contemplated, leading builders came and talked over the plans. Ho seldom wrote letters. Important transactions were usually arranged by word of mouth. ■" "Allan Hughes had a knack of getting at once to tho heart of things, and he formed very clear views. . . He disliked intensely being thanked for. the many kindnesses ho did, and, in spite of a certain brusqueness of manner, ho inspired the strongest affection and loyalty in all his staff. It is doubtful if thero has ever been any other individual in British shipping distinguished by tho samo rugged independence of charactor, and, partly because of tho prosont complexity of shipping, it may bo doubted if anyone will over again hold quito the samo position. In his. own determined'and unobtrusive way, he served-British shipping remarkably well."