UNION STEAMSHIP COY.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 83, 9 April 1934, Page 8

UNION STEAMSHIP COY.

SUPERINTENDING ENGINEER MR. JAMES SMITH'S RETIREMENT [ Per Press Association. ] WELLINGTON, April 8. Mr. James Smith, retiring superintending engineer for the Union Steamship Company, was the guest of honour at a complimentary social given by the Wellington biancii of the New Zeaiar.d Institute of Marine and Power Lu gineers on Saturday evening. Mr. Smith was born on the Clyde u : -d served his time at Glasgow. He went to sea in 1882, one of his first snips being a paddle steamer. From 1920 tc the present he has been with the Union Company. “His record of service is second to pono in tho history of the mercantile marine of the British Empire,” said the president, Mr. P. MacKenzie, ‘and I am pleased to think that Mr. Smith is still to be in harness and is going Home to compete with the younger intelligences in engineering.” Mr. Smith was presented with a pair of field glasses. “Not the least important event in the history of New Zealand was the formation in 1875 of the Union Steamsnip Company,” said Mr. J. Sommerville, secretary of the institute, in proposing the toast of the company. “From a small company it has become one of the greatest shipping concerns of the Empire.” Replying, Mr. W. S. Falla, joint gen-eral-manager of the company, said: “It is important that we in this country and Australia should develop our own nationalism to withstand, shall I say. the attack from other quarters. If we do not give this question study there are grave dangers ahead for the •or-al concerns. We aro all vitally affected.” _