THE TAKAPUNA SERVICE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 31, 5 February 1910, Page 5

THE TAKAPUNA SERVICE.

TRIAL OF NEW STEAMER.

Some time ago a number of "businesl men came to the conclusion that Xakapuna had possibilities as a residential suburb for city men, if it could be reached in. les3 time. To bring i£ a littl* nearer Auckland they at once set t« work —on land by laying-a ..tramline ~ from the Lake to O'JTeil's'poiiit, and on . water by having a new ferry steamer built to run 'between"the Point and the ■wharf at Auckland. Yesterday thi» steamer, whifch hfis ibeen named the "Pupuke," -was taken for a trial run, and the occasion wai marked by the promoters and.others .interested in.' the venture by a little celebration. The Z weather -was bright and sunny, and trip was made under the most favourable auspices. The steamer in charge of Mr. W. Ryle, late chief officer of- tie -sju— Wimmera, was taken the iharibouf - to the spot where the Kaipara struck* and then back to CNeil's Point, where the newly laid lines to Takapuna could be seen. Altogether the jaunt occupied an hour an a-half or thereabouts. : The party on board included the dire*----tors of the Company, Messrs. J. Brow«----(Chairman), P. Sfc Hansen, A. E. 316*--rison, .W. Blomfield, H. H. Adams (also a member of the Waitemata Council), Captain J. Smith, and Mr. H. Gilfillan, junr., Secretary of the Company; several members of the Waitemata Countjr•"■ Council, among them Messrs. Jamie* " HcLeod (chairman), W. MoCaJhie, A. Lang, F. Dye, T. F. Kerr/Taylor, C. A.:: Cawkwell (secretary), and G. A. Jackson " (County Engineer). Other guests were Messrs. J. Barker, Matthew Glark, (j - Rhodes, E. W. Walker, W. Stewart, G. Go-w, W. R. Holroes, and Bishop Lenihaa and Captain MsKenzie. Most of those on board made a tour o£ 1 inspection of the ship, and appeared to be" eminently well satisfied -with what they saw. Also, the trip served to show con- - clusively that the little steamboat wa» - speedy and comfortable —tie sort of craft, " in fact, to do well the work for which .she - was built. Then before the party dispersed there were refreshments for everybodj;and a little speech-making.

Mr. James McLeod (chairman, of the Waitemata County Council) proposed the, toast of the Takapuna Ferry and Tram- " ways Company, and complimented the company on the successful achievement of a difficult undertaking.. The County Council had granted the company a conceal sion which would in time no doubt be- ■ come valuable, but in the meantime the ratepayers would benefit considerably as a result of a fast and regular service, which would make Takapuna a popular __ residential marine suburb.

Mr. J. Brown, chairman of replied on behalf of the company, and sketched shortly the efforts of' the company to secure success in their undertaking. He thanked the Waitemata County Council and the Auckland Harbour Board for the valuable assistance they-Had given the company in placing no obstacles in the way of a venture which must make; for the progress of Auckland. He also thanked, on behalf of the company, Mr. L. B. Harris, the constructing architect of the vessel; Hr. George Fraser, the engineer; and Mr. Nlccoll, the builder; and complimented them on the good work they had evidently put into the steamer. The length of the Pupuke is 100 ft, and tne beam of the hull 21ft. The extended deck is 28ft -wide, and the draught is 6ft 6in. The hull has air-tight compartments completely round the boat, which should make for greater stability in steaming across the prevailing winds. The boat has an electric light installation, her speed is 10 1 knots, and her complement of passengers is 730.