MR. CHAS. RANSON RETIRES.

A POPTJXAK MANAGES. I ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF BY TIIE STAFF. I Mr. Charles Raneon, the popular manager of tho Xorthern Steamship Co., T,td., "who retired from that position on Saturday after 34 years in office, was tendered a "complimentary emokc concert byj the company's staff, ashore and afloat, in the Masonic Hall on Saturday evening, j Captain R. C. Hammond, Mr. Ranson's] KUeeoFeor, occupied the chair, the gue*t of the evening being on his right, with Mr. Ernest Davis, representing the) directorate, on his left. Invitations were. limited to the company's staff and a few personal friends ai Mr. Banson, in-1 eluding Messrs. \V. Stewart, L). Carter.] and \V. BloinHeld. The gatfw.rinß was, a very large one, and included reprosen- j tatives from every ship in the company's j fleet. ;\\~o the head ofiiee, branch oilice; and agents frutn Mangonui to Opotiki. ! After the usual loyal toast had honoured. Mr. A. Brown, chief engiivjS , of tlie s.s. Rarawa, one of the oldest I ofTicers of the company, proponed the toast of "Our (!iip*t. Mr. ("has. Hanson." Mr. Hrown said the ple:\-ure of proposing the tna;-1 was teinpp -ed with reßreti that they «ere losing their chief. It | wae over' 3-1 yearn since Mr. Rnnnon h:i-l come amongst them. «nd he was now retiring to enjoy a well-earned rrert with tlie liearty goodwill of every one whoj had worked for him or with him. j Tlie tonst was received with musical honoum and cheers. 1 Captain Norhury, tho oldest -kipper in j the company, presented Mr. Ran*i>n withj a chc<]UP as a token of goodwill fmm I every one of the company's pm|>loyec«. I Captain Xorbury also voiced the regret I of the gathering that, they were losing j their chief, and stated tlvat the great progress made by the company irnder Mr. Ranson's charge was tlie best testimony to his tact and business acumen, wliile the freedom from any serious trouble during that time was lnrgely due to their chief's well-known consideration for the welfare of each of the com-j pany's employees. ] Mr. Raneon. who, on rinin<j to reply, Wfw again accorded a round of cheers, most sincerely expressed his thanks for the honour done him, and for their I h ammo mc gift. Mr. Ranson proceeded: to quote figure* winch indicated thi>| growth of the company .luring Ms term] of office. In 18SS, th< fleet cnrtis-'tcd of j eight vessels trading to a few ports. | Now tliere were forty on the list. Small! compajiLes had been absorbed from time to time, and their business had extended! until it now covered the entire province. The number of employee-; bad increased from 100 to R.") 0. tlie cargo carried from 51.000 tons per annum to 220.01)0 tons, mid the number of passengers from P. 0,000 to 190,000 per annum. Additions] to the fleet represent about £-180.000 rikl he vas proud to say that all had proved suitable for Hi" trade for which j they were built. When he timk oliiee. j the finances of the company were in a bad way. but for the past Jil years the shareholders had received dividends without a break. In thono early days they were in the thick of a light with the j v-eamon's I'ninn, who ran tlie s.s. Stormbird and llellinger in opposition to their ves--.elpi. The late Hon. .1. A. Millar w.n then general secretary of the union, and j a bet It opponent lie never wished to meet I -Jind during that, fight they formed a friendship whi.h lasted until his death. He fully recc.pnii.ed that tlie made! could not have lu-nn aehicv.-d without tlie loyal co-nperation of the employee*, nnd he thanked them all for the great assistance he bad received. Throughout his term of oliiee (.lie directors had given him their loyal support. He deeply felt parting from them as their chief, and he trusted they would show the same loyalty to Ilk tUU'cessor, Captain Hammond." lie also wished to th.ink the company's agents nn ,j many other I friends who had e\-pres-cd their good wishes. A first-cln.=-s musical programme was contributed during the evening by liurnnand's Orchestra. Captains R. If. Gihhons and ('. Hopkins, and Mivsrs. J". R Ross. S. HolrNworth, C. K. llamlin, T. Brough. .1. Kirkbride, and Ix'vantc. j The gathering concluded at 11 p.m..! Mr. Ranson shaking hands with each one j a* they left. !