NOTABLE CAREER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26822, 13 July 1948, Page 6

NOTABLE CAREER

MR J. T. KNEWSTUBB WAR EFFORf RECALLED Mr John Thomas Knewstubb, who died yesterday, in his sixty-fourth year, was a notable figure in the industrial life of Port Chalmers. Born at Carey’s Bay, he was of the third generation of his family. Mr Knewstubb was educated at Port Chalmers and apprenticed as a shipwright to the Knewstubb Brothers in their shipyard. In 1901 he became apprenticed to the engineering trade serving with the firm of Morgan and Cable. In 1915 he joined the Public Works Department as mechanical engineer for the Central Otago district, and a year later was appointed second engineer at the Ashburton Borough Council’s powerhouse. Mr Knewstubb returned to Port Chalmers in 1920 to become works manager of his old firm, which is now known as the Stevenson and Cook Engineering Company. In

1928, with Messrs J. W. Scurr and J. G. Neill, he purchased the business and became managing director, which position he continued to hold when the firm became a subsidiary of Fletcher Holdings in 1942. Under Mr Knewstubb’s direction the firm continued its notable work, the outstanding job being the repair of the famous whaling factory ship, C. A. Larsen, in 1928. The firm had been i pioneer in the construction of gold dredges, and in 1936 built the Molyneux dredge, claimed to be the largest built in New Zealand to that date. Other works included the supply of steel girders for the Dunedin Post Office and many Otago bridges. Early in the recent war, Mr Knewstubb, with the consent of his partners and the approval of his staff, offered to make up a ship repair unit to go to the United Kingdom or anywhere in the war area to repair vessels damaged by enemy action. When the offer was conveyed to the Admiralty the fi-m was asked, along’ with others whether it would consider buildin 1 ’ mall vessels of war. As the result of the conferences which began in 1940 and in which Mr Knewstubb olryed an important part, Port Chalmers undertook a programme of construction which included 14 minesweepers and well as repairs to damared war vessels. The present ship building yards were erected and several minesweepers were built. Praise was given by the Marine Department and the British Admiralty for the quality of workmanship in the minesweepers. In addition to this work, major repairs were effected to the Ducalion and the John Deere, while two Netherlands ships and many others which had suffered from enemy action were refitted. The latest major work undertaken was the supply of a new rudder and post for the U.S.S Merrick, of the Byrd Antarctic expedition. Mr Knewstubb was a member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, and was in his third term as a member of the Port Chalmers Borough Council. He had also served a term on the Otago Harbour Board. He belonged to the Foresters’ Lodge over a long period, and was a foundation member of Lodge Koputai of Freemasons. He was the prime mover in the re-establishment of St. John Ambulance classes at the beginning of the war, and in the following year he became superintendent of the first St. John Ambulance Division to operate in Port Chalmers. He was a member of Koputai Old Identities’ Association, the Bowling Club and the Dunedin Orphans’ Club. In his early years he had been a gunner in the Port Chalmers Naval Volunteers, a player in the old brass band, a keen yachtsman and a rower for the Queen’s Drive Club. He later took up motor boating. He was also an enthusiastic amateur photographer Mr Knewstubb married Miss Sophia Jrihe Willmott about 1908, and is survived by his widow, one daughter, Mrs H. G. Gordon. Malaya, and three sons. Mr James Knewstubb. of Melbourne and Messrs Eric and Walter Knewstubb, of Port Chalmers.