OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 24008, 6 October 1941, Page 6

OBITUARY

CAPTAIN H. R. HUGHES EXPERT IN GABLE REPAIRS (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Oct. 5. A retired master mariner, with an unsurpassed record of submarine cable work fn the Pacific, Captain Harry Rockford Hughes,, died yesterday at his homo in St. Heliers. Aged 66, Captain Hughes was born in Worcestershire, and served his apprenticeship in sail for some years, including the Boer War period, when he was a junior officer in the Union Castle Line, between British ports and South Africa,

In 1903 he joined the marine staff of the Pacific Cable Board as fourth officer of the cable ship,lris, which had just been built to the board’s order for repair and maintenance work. He with the vessel continuously for nearly 30 years, eventually becoming her commander. ■ He retired in 1932.

During nis long service, _ Captain Hughes established a very high reputation as an expert in laying and repairing cables. He carried on this work in Australian, New Zealand, Polynesian, and Canadian waters, often under conditions which tested the skill and endurance of the' ship’s company to the utmost, and he was called upon frequently to undertake repairs to vable in Cook Strait for the New Zealand Government. ' Among shipmasters, he was known as an extraordinarily skilful navigator,, and he accomplished many remarkable feats, quickly locating cable faults at points far distant from land. When , the Ins was armed and sent out from Auckland in the last war to search for Count von Luckner, who had escaped from internment V>n Motuihi Island, Captain Hughes was in command of the shore party at the Kermadec Islands where tho Germans were recaptured. Later, the Iris was renamed the Recorder, and passed to the ownership of Cable and Wireless Ltd., which no longer operates her from Auckland. After his retirement Captain Hughes did a large amount rf coastal pilotage work for overseas shipping companies. Hj is survived by his wife, a daughter, and a son. Flight-lieutenant S. W. R. Hughes, of the Royal Air Force.

PRIVATE J. F. H. HARRIS The death took place last week of Private James Pulton Neil Harris, who was a son of Mr and Mrs Ales. Harris. Musselburgh Rise. Private Harris had returned from an overseas training camp on leave. He had not been feeling well for some time, and an illness developed which proved fatal ■ Private Harris, who was 35 years or age, was an accountant by occupation, and was educated at the Musselburgh. School, Otago Boys’ High School, and Timaru Boys’ High School. 'He went on to Otago University, where 1m won his Blue for boxing, being a prominent member of the Otago University BoxClub, and also taking part in tournaments staged by the Otago Boxing Association. He was a clever and game He was greatly esteemed _ for his quiet, unassuming, and genuinely sincere Christian charactre. Full of the spirit of goodwill and kindliness towards his fellows, he was ever ready to do a good turn where he could. Ha was a zealous Sunday school teacher and Bible class leader in the Musselburgh Presbyterian Church, and his life,” though short, was Ml of service. MRS A. B. M'KENZIE (P.A.) CARTERTON, October 6. The death occurred here on Saturday of Mrs Adelaide Blaokall McKenzie, wife of Mr Edward McKenzie, the New Zealand Rugby selector.