36 YEARS’ SERVICE

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 189, 9 May 1944, Page 4

36 YEARS’ SERVICE

Captain A. T. Toten Retires After over 36 years’ service. Captain Arthur Thomas Toten has retired from the service of the Union Company. Captain Toteu was born in London iu ISSI, and first went to sea as an apprentice in sail with Messrs. James 'Sproat an‘i Co., remaining in sail as third and second mate for a further 34 years, after which he served for three years with the BucKna.i Steaniship Co., Ltd., and the Aberdeen White Star Line before obtaining his master’s certificate in London. In 1907 he joined the Union Company as fourth officer of tlie Marama tor her maiden voyage from Greenock to Dunedin, after which he was advanced in grade to third, second, and chief officer oi various vessels, till 1917. when he was appointed master of the laviuui. subsequently he commanded the Wainui (first,. Karitanc (first). Koonya. Kowhai. Kittawa, Koranui, Kakariki, Kamo, and Kiwitea In 19’24 he took command of the Oonah in the Bass Strait steamer express service and remained there till rebruarv. 1928. when he was promoted to the lar* r er passenger vessels, taking command of "tlie Maunganui in the San Francisco service. Ho was afterward in charge of the Maheno, Maori. Hauraki, and 'Jahib, lie was commanding the Tahiti when she was lost at sea between Wellington and Rarotonga, on August 17. 1930, through the breaking of her tall shaft. Wter a nerlod of leave Captain Toter. assumed command of the Marama. and when the new Monowal arrived to replace the Tahiti in the San Francisco trade he was appointed to that vessel, and later reappointed to the Maunganui. At the outbreak of the present war. Captain Toten took command of the motorshin Limerick, engaged on special service for the British Ministry of War Transport, and in May. 1041. he was promoted to the R M M.S. Aorangi, also engaged in special service for the Ministry. and retained command till February ot this year when he transferred to the hospital ship Maunganui for a short period. Captain Toten s home is in Svdtlcv. and he intends to continue residence there during his retirement.