Mr. Henry Duston , who has been Chief Engineer of the s.s. “Mountaineer” since 1901, was born at Workington, Cumberlandshire, England, in 1860. He was educated in his native place, and apprenticed as an engine-fitter in the West Cumberlandshire Iron and Steel Works. Subsequently he had two years' experience on coastal steamers, but then returned to Workington, and was for five years in his old shop. Mr Duston came to Port Chalmers, in 1884, by the s.s. “Ionic.” He started in the Government workshops at Hillside, and was for two years afterwards on the Union ion Company's steamer “Hawea.” At a later period, he was engaged in driving piles on the breakwater at Otago Heads, where he worked twelve months. He left his employment to work at Arrow, where he was employed on the Last Chance claim. Mr Duston has resided in Queenstown since 1888. He commenced work on the steamer “Ben Lomond,” under Captain Wing, and continued as engineer on that vessel till his appointment to the “Mountaineer.” Mr Duston has been connected with the Methodist church, and holds office as a steward. He was married, in 1888, to a daughter of the late Mr Hugh Mc-Kenzie, of Comrie, Perthshire, Scotland, and has six sons and two daughters.