CAPTAIN T. V. HILL

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 121, 24 May 1941, Page 6

CAPTAIN T. V. HILL

RETIREMENT FROM SEA

Captain T. V. Hill, until recently in command of the trans-Pacific passenger liner Aorangi, has retired after 35 years' service. He was born in Auckland on May 14, 1831, and is a youth went to sea in intercolonial sailing ships, serving in the barquentines Countess of Ranfurly and Senorita and the barque Manurcwa. and also the Government steamer trading to the Cook Islands.

Shortly after securing his second mate's certificate he entered the service of the Union Company, and on December 24, 1905, was appointed fourth officer of the Manuka. He was promoted rapidly and by May, 1910, he was chief officer of the Moura. Captain Hill was appointed to command the first Komata on September 27. 1915, and subsequently the Karori. Atua, Navua, Kurow (first), and Waimarino (first).

In October, 1923, he was appointed to the trans-Pacific cargo service and commanded the Waikawa. Waitemata, Wairuna, and Hauraki. For a short period he commanded the oil tanker Otokia before being transferred to the company's passenger vessels, his first being the Tahiti in the San Francisco service, after which ho was in the Marama in the intercolonial service.

•In September, 1927, he was appointed to the Niagara in the VanH couver service and remained in her, with the exception of relieving periods in the Aorangi and Monowai, till the end of 1935. On the retirement of Captain Spring-Brown on January 1, 1036, Captain Hill was appointed to the command of R.M.M.S. Aorangi and remained in that vessel till his relief at Auckland recently on account of illness.