In early July 2005, I received several emails from David Howse of Cambridge, England concerning Captain Holland, the first skipper of the Rangitiki following her 1947/48 refit and return to commercial commission.

Immediately below are some notes provided for me by Mr. Howse and a couple of photographs of Captain Holland on board the Rangitiki.  I am indebted to Mr. Howse for this information.

My Grandfather, Captain Edward Holland ended his long career with NZSC in command of RMS Rangitiki, after passing a long and difficult war in command of the Rangitata, which he first commanded in October 1935.  His final voyage was from Auckland to London via Pitcairn, Panama, Curacao and Southampton, a total distance of 11,429 miles, docking in London on Tuesday June 7th 1949, according to his logs.
 
He was known to his crew as 'Dutch' Holland - but never to his face!

His logs indicate that he first took command of Rangitiki on September 24th 1948 for a London to NZ voyage. I suspect this was her first commercial voyage after war service and repatriation work.
Always with NZSCo, (since joining a training ship with his brother in his early teens), he was in command of the SS Surrey ( in 1920), Norfolk, Ruapahu, Devon, Hororata, Rimutaka, Rotorua, Remuera, Rangitane, Westmoreland, Rangitata, and last, but not least, Rangitiki.

Capt. Holland on the bridge of RMS Rangitiki

With "Theasy" (Mrs. Holland) taking a stroll on Rangitiki's boat deck