THE NORTH SHORE FERRY CO.

Auckland Star, Volume VII, Issue 1976, 9 June 1876, Page 3

THE NORTH SHORE FERRY CO.

The meeting of shareholders of the North Shore Perry Company, which was partly reported in our columns yesterday was not over till dusk, and the discussion which ensued after our report broke off was of a very animated description. Mr J. B. Russell could not see what the result of Mr Kissling s motion would be if carried. He believed it was the bounden duty of the directors to consult the interests of the shareholders, and although he did not think the good of the company should be I :G~ n A Fn- onT, n«*U/.»1.. i__ J: !___ I__

oniiriuviDu -v- ""j jjwi.u-«_u.-->i w._-iu_g mass, flo was not of the opinion that the directors had altogether acted wisely in sending Mr Buchanan to England. Mr Eussell's remarks were so nicely balanced that he was alterternately cheered by either party. In conclusion he expressed his idea that Mr Buchanan had come the cute Yankee on ' the directors. The Chairman indignantly repudiated such a notion : the directors were the largest shareholders, and in consulting their own interests thought they were consulting the interest of the Company. At the meeting at which it was decided to give Mr Buchanan Mb commission all the directors wero present except Mr W. C. Wilson, who was ill, aud Mr Kissling, who did not choose to attend. Mr Eassling's protest had been given him at 12 o'clock at night on board the Colima, whereas it might have been made at the proper time and place. Mr Kissling's brother, who was a large shareholder, had acquiesced in the opinion that tho steamer would be got cheaper at home. '

Mr W. H. Kissling exolaimed against any reference to his brother, who was not present, lor himself, he was ready for any attack. Tbe Chairman said if tbat was the case he would say at once that Mr W H. Kissling had suggested that the steamer should be imported through Mr T. Russell. That was the secret of that gentleman's violent opposition. If Mr Russell had been commissioned to purchase the steamer there would have been nothing heard of Mr Kissling's indignation.

Mr Kissling : No ! no ! - The Chairman said they were led to adopt their line of action by the fact that iron was cheaper in England than it had been for ten or twelve years. When Mr Buchanan had finished his enquiries he would telegraph the result, and whatever was the difference in the price of the boats it would be transmitted to the shareholders.

Mr W. Aitken defended the action of the directors with some heat, and characterised the conduct of the shareholders with more warmth than politeness, as " currish.'' # This was the signal for a babel of exclamations, and some responsive invective, which was quieted after a temporary storm of words by the withdrawal of the expression by Mr Aitken. After this outburst the discussion toned down, and eventually Mr Kissling withdrew his motion in favour of another proposed by Mr Atkin, and seconded by Mr Aitken, namely, " That when the directors receive advices from Mr Buchanan they will call the shareholders together." The meeting then dispersed.