Captain James Crawford, of the s.s. “Huia,” trading between Wanganui and Wellington, was born in 1846 in Stirling, Scotland. Accompanying his parents to Auckland per ship “Phœnix ” in 1860, he commenced a seafaring life from that port. After four years under the flag of Messrs. Willis, Cern and Co., he joined Captain McGregor's p.s. “Iona” as second mate. He was transferred to the s.s. “Argyle” as mate, and subsequently became master, remaining on that vessel eight-and-a-half years. Captain Crawford was afterwards in command of the s.s. “Waitaki” for three-and-a-half years, and after two years ashore was appointed to the position he now holds in 1888. In 1871 he was married to a daughter of Mr. R. Knaggs, of Mangapai, settler, and has three sons and a daughter.

Captain Andrew Joseph Thomas Anderson, of the s.s. “Wairere,” which plies regularly between Wanganui and Pipiriki on the Wanganui River, was born in 1865 in Dunedin. He is a son of the late Mr. Joseph Anderson, who was engineer in the Public Works Department on the West Coast of the South Island, and was transferred to Wanganui in charge of the river works. Captain Anderson was for some time a draughtsman and subsequently an assistant surveyor under the Public Works Department at Westport. For some years he was employed in carrying the mails to and from Pipiriki, and in forwarding Cook's tourists. Entering the service of Messrs. A. Hatrick and Co. in 1892 as a deck hand on the river steamers, he was soon promoted to the position of pilot and purser, and has occupied the important office he now fills for two years. Captain Anderson is popular with the travelling public, and holds several valuable testimonials certifying to his ability and consideration for the safety of his vessel.

Photo by A. Martin.
Captain A. J. T. Anderson.

Mr. Joshua Harris, Chief Engineer of the passenger steamers “Wairere” and “Manuwai,” hails from Motueka, Nelson, where he was born in 1863. Educated at Picton, he served five years at Messrs. Robertson and Co.'s foundry in Wellington. For six years he was engaged on the s.s. “Te Aro,” plying in the Marlborough Sounds, and after over five years as engineer he took a certificate as captain for river and lake service, taking charge of the steamer for about six months. Subsequently Mr. Harris was in charge of the s.s. “Torea,” “Phœnix,” and “Elsie,” in Pelorus Sound. After a general experience in sawmills and on Government surveys and contracts, as a miner in the Ravenscliff Mining Company at Waikakaho for two years, and as engineer to the Golden Gate Alluvial Mining Company at Mahakipawa, Mr. Harris was appointed in May, 1895, engineer of the s.s. “Waitara,” tug-boat at the Wanganui Heads. Six months later he received his present appointment. In May, 1896, Mr. Harris was married to May, third daughter of Mr. John Titter, brick manufacturer, of Mosstown, Wanganui.

Photo by A. Martin.
Mr. J. Harris.