NORTHERN S.S. COMPANY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIV, Issue 122, 23 May 1913, Page 2

NORTHERN S.S. COMPANY.

SUCCESSFUL YEAR. EXPANSION OF BUSINESS. The annual meeting of shareholders in the Northern .Steamship Company, Limited, held to-day at the offices in Quay Street, was well attended. Mr. M. A. Clark, chairman of the Board of Directors, presided. The accounts and balance-sheet (providing for the payment of a seven per cent dividend), of which particulars have already been j published, were adopted, on the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. | Joseph Miller. In moving their adoption, Mr. Clark said: ''The company's operations during the past year, I am pleased to say, show a satisfactory result. The enhanced prices for agricultural and pastoral products that have ruled for some time have led to increased traffic over all our main lines, both in passenger and freight departments, so that, in spite of the heavy additional cost in the working of. our vessels, with which the past year commenced, our revenue has been more j than maintained. Owing to the expansion of the business, it was found necessary to appoint an assistant-manager, as an understudy to the manager, and, latter due consideration, Captain Hammond, late manager of the Kaipara j Steamship Company, was selected and j appointed to the position. The only serious accident I have to mention is : that to the Tuniwha in the Thames River in August last, caused by the vessel striking a submerged oojeet. The growth of the Wbangarei service, referred to at our last annual meeting, led to the purchase of the Rotoiti from the Union Steamship Company. The vessel was overhauled and extensively improved at Wellington, a considerable sum being expended in enlarging the accommodation for passengers. In this respect she is now the most commodious vessel in our fleet, as sleeping berths have been provided for 20!) saloon passengers, and 73 in the steerage. The results have justified the large outlay, as the vessel, now renamed the Manaia, has gained the favour of the public, and is admirably adapted for the service in which she is employed. The substitution of the Ngapuhi for the Aupouri in the Tauranga service has proved very successful, the change having been greatly appreciated by business people and residents in that district. This has been evidenced by a marked increase in passenger truffle. In consequence of these changes the Aupouri was withdrawn from commission to be available for service in case of emergency, and in the opinion of tour directors a spare vessel of this class has been long required, in view of the extent of the Company's operations. We have now placed her in commission temporarily during the annual overhaul of some of our vessels, and we also expect to utilise her during the term of the Exhibition. Hie auxiliary vessel Torea, built by Mr. George Niccol. was added to the fleet during the year, and is now doing good service between Tauranga and Te Puke. An additional barge was also constructed for us by the same builder, for use in the service between Paeroa and Te Aroha. and has proved very satisfactory. The small vessel for the Waiuku service, for which a contract was entered into by Messrs. J. I. Thornycroft and Co., of Southampton, has been sent out in sections, and its erection will shortly be commenced at Onehunga. It is hoped to have it completed within three months, in ample time for next summer's trade.

"Your directors have had under consideration for some time the building of a very light draught vessel to replace the steamer now engaged in the Waipu service, which, under present conditions, is subject to many interruptions. They have not yet decided as to the most suitable machinery for the vessel, and before taking action will wait to see the result of the trial of the kerosene motors which have been sent out by Messrs. Thornyeroft and Co., with the new vessel aJreadyjrefprrecl to, and which have, been represented as very efficient. A further addition to our plant has been made by the purchase of the old French gunboat Eure, which has been converted into a hulk. Your directors have felt for some time past that it was absolutely necessary to procure another hulk to provide ample supplies of coal in case of emergency. The vessel I have mentioned is sound and in pprfect order, and, having space for 2,000 tons of coal, will meefc our requirements for a long time to come.

As the changes in our service to which I hove referred have worked out well, and there is a prospect of a continuation of good trade, together with increased traffic during the forthcoming Exhibition, we hope with freedom from accidents to show an equally good result at the end of our next yearly period. There is another thing that I would refer to. A fortnight ago an accident happened on the Wakateve. As it will be a matter ot inquiry by the Marine Oepartment in the Magisterial Court, a full account will be published, and in the meantime we can not make any remarks, save that the extent of the damage will not materially affect the result of the year's operations.

On the motion of Mr. A. B. Roberton. seconded by Mr. .(.'. V. Houghton, the retiring directors —Messrs. N. A. Nathan, John Brown, and M. A. Clark—were reelected.

Messrs. G. O'Halloran and W. W. Bruce were reappointed auditors. The shareholders passed a vote of thanks to the members of the company's staff, ashoTc and afloat, on the motion of Mr. G. Elliott, seconded by Mr. L. <J. Bagnall.