OBITUARY

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 78, 2 April 1941, Page 11

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN H. A. DILLNER

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND. This Day,

The death occurred suddenly at a private hospital yesterday of Captain H. A. Dillner. D.S.C., aged 63. superintendent of mercantile marine at Auckland. Captain Dillner. who had a long and varied career at sea. was formerly superintendent of mercantile marine at Dunedin, and was appointed to a similar position at Auckland in 1939.

Son of the late Captain H. Dillner, a former well-known master in the Blackball Coal Company's fleet Captain Dillner arrived at Lyttelton with his parents in 1379. After attending the Lyttelton District High School, he served in sailing ships and, having gained hi? second mate's ticket, joined the Government steamer Tutanekai. Later he joined the New Zealand Shipping Company's service, qualifying for his master's ticket.

When the Great War commenced, Captain Dillner undertook special service in the Navy, eventually commanding a division of anti-submarine vessels in the North Sea. Decorations which he received included the Distinguished Service Cross, and the bronze medal for military valour from the Italian Government, and he was also twice mentioned in dispatches.

On his return to New Zealand in 1918. Captain Dillner was appointed surveyor of ships at Lyttelton, and transferred to Dunedin as superintendent of mercantile marine in 1931. He is survived by his wife.