LOSS TO SHIPPING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23178, 26 October 1938, Page 15

LOSS TO SHIPPING

MR. J. FINDLAY'S DEATH THE SHAW, SAVILL LINE DOMINION REPRESENTATIVE SERVICES DURING WAR [BY TELEGHArJT —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON. Tuesday The death occurred to-day at his residence at Grant Road, Wellingtfin, of Mr. James Findlay, New Zealand representative of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, Limited, an outstanding and greatly respected personality in shipping circles in the Dominion, at the age of 7'2 years. Mr. Findlay had represented his company in New Zealand for 25 years. During his long career of nearly hall a c'.mil hi;, with the Shaw, Savill and All.ion Line, lie saw it grow from a .small sailing ship concern to one ol the great shipping companies of the world. When he joined its service, the company was in the transition;'! stage of development from sail to stenm. Mr. Findlay saw the passing of the clipper ships and the rapid growth of t'lo coinpany's steamship tonnage, which was induced by, and which materially aided, the development of the Dominion's refrigerated cargo trade. He saw, too, the advent of motor-ships, which now form a considerable part of the company's tonnage. His wide knowledge of the requirements of the New Zealand trade was of great service to his company in its provision of shipping tonnage.

Father's Fast Tea Clippers Son of a well-known shipowner, Mr. Findlay was born near Glasgow in the year in which his father's ships Serica and Taitsing gained high places in the great race of 16 China tea clippers from Foochow to London. Findlay ships were always in the first flight of tho racing China tea clippers, but four wrecks hastened tho death of their owner.

Following his father's death, Mr. Findlay entered the service of «a bank, but a few years later ho turned to ihe shipping business, and joined the staff of the Shaw, Savill and Albion Coinpany, Limited*. He s]>ent 21 years in the London office, in which lie rose to the position of accountant. He was appointed New Zealand representative in 1913, with headquarters in Wellington. Up to that time, the company's

business in New Zealand had been conducted by its agents in various centres under the control of an advisory committee and marine superintendents. Mr. Findlay married before he loft England. - Transports for Dominion Forces On the outbreak of the Great War Mi-. Findlay, in association with representatives of other shipping companies, was called into council by the Minister of Defence, Sir James Allen, concerning the chartering and fitting out of transports for .the Main Body of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, ilr. Findlay's expert knowledge of shipping was of great value to the Government, and appreciation of his services was expressed publicly on more than one occasion by the Prime Minister, the late Mr. W. F. Massey. Following the requisitioning of British liner tonnage by the Imperial Government in 1915, an overseas shipowners' committee was formed in New Zealand. Mr. Findlay was elected chairman, and continued in that capacity until 1921, when,all stocks of requisitioned moat and wool in the Dominion had been cleared. Mr. Findlay was awarded the 0.8. E. for his services. It was Mr. Findlay's custom to go to London every three years, his last voyage abroad being made in 19. Jo following the death of his wife. His sister, Miss Findlay, came out to New Zealand in 19.54, and she had resided with him since. She is his only surviving relative in the Dominion.