MARINE ENGINEERS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 10 April 1934, Page 2

MARINE ENGINEERS

GREAT PROGRESS REVIEWED OVERSEAS SHIPPING THREATENED “Not the least important event in the history of New Zealand was the formation, of the Union Steam Ship Company in 1875,’’ said Mr \V. Sommer - vi lie, secretary of the New Zealand Institute of Marine and Power engineers, at a complimentary function tendered by the institute at Wellington to Mr James Smith, retiring superintending engineer of the company, and his successor, Mr R. L. Gillies (reports the “Post”), Mr Summerville said that the development and progress of New Zealand had undoubtedly been bound up with this important concern, particularly in the early days when the company engaged in a more extensive coastal trade. Its progress had been of a phenomenal nature. Prom a small parochial concern it had become one of the most important lines in the British Empire. When the company was formed it owned live vessels aggregating about 2000 tons, and it now owned well over 50 vessels aggregating considerably more than 200,000 tons Instead of its largest vessel being of 720 tons its biggest ship was now nearly 18,0-00 tons’. The past 50 years had witnessed marvellous developments in marine engineering and propulsion, and in naval architecture, continued Mr Sommerville, in all of which the Union Company lurd kept abreast or in advance of the times. During that period the steam turbine bad been introduced and bad had its rivals, but a return was being made to Parson’s turbine in order to recapture the Blue Riband of the Atlantic. . The Diesel engine had also been developed to a very high standard as a propelling unit and had thrown out a challenge to steam. With these important developments had.come the use of oil fuel iu. place of coal, and cf steam pressures as high as 5001 b to the square inch, w'th temperatures of 700 deg. r. The same period had witnessed the introduction of electricity aboard ship and its use as a- means of propulsion. TRIBUTE TO' MANAGEMENT

“When w e come to look back and review these remarkable changes as far as the Union Company is concerned, said Mr Sommerville, “there is no doubt that the prosperity o" thb company has had a great deal to do with these important advancements. It is also a tribute to the foresight ot the founders of the company, Sir James Mills, anu those associated with him in the eairy days, and later such men as Sir Charles Holdsworth, and Messrs D. A. Aiken, A. W. Wheeler, and N. S. I*alia. These names will always stand out very prominently in connection with the management of the company. Mr Sommerville said that since tile institute was formed in 1880 it had always been intimately connected witn the Union Company. They had facec. adolescence and manhood togeher. bn James Mills and Mr Aiken were honor ary associate members of the liistitute, Mr Smith was an associate member, and Mr Gillies was an active member of the institute. Mr Smith, liesaid appeared before them as a bundle of facts so far as the Union Company s' engineers were concerned, and no. thought that Mr Smith had a staff worthy of the highest recognition—a. body of men ranking-second to none.inthe British Empire.... He recalled that-, when tlie company celebrated its jubilee' Sir James Mills said that lie had always had a great regard for the engineers as a bodv, since they had served the company "well end stood by it- in many a tight cornel’.

NEW SHIPS IN VIEW Replying on behalf of the management of the company, Afr N. S. Falla, (joint general manager) said that the company was proud to be toasted m such a manner, and he regretted that those who had been longer connected with the management were -unable to be present. If -Mr Aiken were present he would first and foremost wish to pay a tribute to the loyalty of the engineering staffs throughout the company’s career. Those w.ho had to do, with the handling of a shipping business knew very well indeed what the engineering side meant to the owners of a ship. They in their professional careers knew that this was a, great age of change. .Mr Smith, h e said, was not entirely severing his connection with the company, but was leaving shortly for Enghind, and it was no secret to say that his mission' was to do with the problem of the propulsion of r.ew tonnage. It was a great tribute to Air Smith s mental and physical vitality that he was able to go and discuss such matters with overseas experts in his profession, and meet them on equal terms.

INTERNATIONAL ASPECT “After the three years in which I have been away from the Union Company, having to do with overseas trade,” said Air Falla, “I have found on my return to office remarkable changes in trade generally, most ot them, of course, common knowledge The substitution of oil for coal is livery big thing, but I have in mind more particularly the extraordinary international aspect of shipping problems as we at present find them. “This theme was dealt with in a very able manner by the chairman ot the P. and 0. Line, Air Alexander Shaw, on hit; visit to New Zealand, and it is impossible for me to add anything to his eloquence; but I think his words should be very closely studied because there are very real dangers to the shipping companies of the British Empire to-day, and of particular concern to the Union Company and others who partici pate m the intercolonial trade. “The Union Company was horn in New Zealand and nurtured here, and has come to some eminence—and hy thegrace of Providence will continue to hold its place.

There is no gainsaying, nor is it proper to minimise, the real dangers of the present ago, and accordingly it is highly important that we in this country and in Australia shoiud all develop our own nationalism to withstand attacks from other quar tors. Unless we give this matter very close study and proper support, l assure you there are grave dangers ahead for local concerns

“That perhaps is a sombre note— not sombre, but grave—but because of its importance I think it is not out f 4 place to mention it in this company. We are all vitally affected.”