FATE OF THE RIPPLE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19249, 13 August 1924, Page 7

FATE OF THE RIPPLE.

LABOUR MEMBERS’ SYMPATHY. WIRELESS ON COASTAL VESSELS. • QUESTION OP INSTALLATION. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, August, 12. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party this morning;—“The members of ' ■ Parliamentary Labour Party place on ■) their deep aiid sincere sorrow at the fatal disaster which bus overtaken the steamer 'Hippie, and extend their heartfelt sympathy to the wives, children, and other relatives of all those who lost tneir lives in such a tragic maimer.” The loss of the Ripple has raised the question of installing wireless on coastal vessels. Mr Shrimpton, chief telegraph engineer, said that the usual objection was on the score of expense, the apparatus would bo so seldom required. It was suggested that a modified system might be used, which a ship’s officer could work, but ho replied that unless taught when young, men could never pick up telegraphy properly. A sot might be installed for £IOU or less, on which certain prearranged signals could be sent in which Officers could be coached. He was of opinion that if the difficulty of obtaining men who could send clearly could be surmounted, it would pay the owners to put in wireless. Air P. Leuden, who was a passenger on the Ripple, was an American skin buyer, and was proceeding on his way to Gisborne. He arrived at Wellington from Sydney on August 5. He was between 50 and b£) years of age. It is presumed that his relatives reside in America.

FINDING OF OIL BARRELS. THE PROBABLE EXPLANATION. (Pee United Press Association.* KELSON, August 12. The manager of the Anchor Company reports that the Regulus, passing Karori light on Wednesday night last, shipped a heavy sea, and lost six barrels of oil, 20 cases of kerosene, and other oils. ’This no doubt clears up the finding oi barrels reported yesterday. ENGINEER OF THE RIPPLE. (From Ode Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August 12. Mr James Beaumont-Neuson, cnief engineer of tho Ripple, was a member of an old and well known Scottish family. During his long service as a marine engineer he held many important posts. In his early days at sea he was shipwrecked otf the coast of Scotland, and was for four days adrift in an ooen boat in the North Sea. He was picked up ny the Grimsby fisher fleet. He served his time' on the Clyde, and later worked for tfie British Admiralty in Brazil, his duties being connected with dredges purchased from Brown and Sons, of Scotland. Ho was a marine engineer in tho service of the British Government in Japan, and was afterwards employed as foreman of tho gunsighting department at Armstrong’s armament works, Elswick, near Newcastle. He was second engineer of -the Melanesian mission steamer Southern Cross, in which ho came to New Zealand about 17 years ago, and after serving as chief of one of the boats on the Northern Wairoa, he came to Wellington, where for a time he was second engineer of the dredge Whakarirei. Later he transferred to the hydraulic power house on the wharf, and he worked subsequently at Wanganui, at Terakohe (as chief engineer of the Golden Bay Cement Works), at Ngahauranga (for the New Zealand Bacon and Aleut Packing Company), and at Johnsonville (at the Wellington Brick Company’s Works.) About eight months ago ho entered the service of Messrs Richardson and Co., joining the Ripple as relieving engineer to the late Mr Glover. He afterwards served on the Tangaroa and the Ruru, and again relieved Mr Glover. Some weeks ago he joined the Rippje as perma nent chief engineer. _ Mr Neilson had been in tho dominion for about 15 or 17 years, and while hero, he took a live interest in church worke. He was a lay reader at the Newtown, Berhampore. Island Bay, and Johnsonville Churches of England. In his younger days lie served in the First South African Regiment. , ,

Ho was a native of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, and was 65 rears at age. He leaves a widow (who resides at Island Bay) and two sons (Messrs J. and Cuthbert Beau-rnont-Neilson, of Wairoa and Wellington respectively). A brother is a principal in the -firm of Montgomerie. Neileon. Edmunds, and Co., which has a branch in Wellington. Mr Montgomerie Neijaon resides in Melbourne, and will be in Wellington shortly. The late Mr Beaumont-Neilson s father lost his life through being shot at by hillmen while engaged on British Government engineering work in the Himalaya Mountains. Neilson’s Pass, in the Himalayas, is named after Mr J. Beaumont-Neilson. sen.