THE HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 81, 5 April 1906, Page 5

THE HARBOUR FERRY SERVICE.

TRIAL TRIP OP THE COBAR. Yesterday afternoon in bright weather the new steamer Cobar, which was purchased in Sydney for the ferry service in Wellington, made her trial trip. Amongst those- who joined in the trip were the Hon. C. H. Mills, Messrs. W. A. Kennedy (Union Steam Ship Company), Air. J. H. N. A. Burnes (New Zealand Shipping Company), Mr. Wm. Watson (Chaaruian of Directors of the Wellington Harbour Ferries, Ltd.), Mr. E. G. F. Zohrab (Manager), Mr. Townsend (Mayor of Miramar), and many others. The boat was gaily decked with flags and looked neat and trim, after having her decks overhauled and extended to better; fit the convenience of large numbers of' passengers. Captain Jones, who was in charge, set a course for Seatoun, and after cruising close to the K#raka Bay and Seatoun Wharves, steamed across the entrance to the harbour to the temporary wharf at Pencarrow, where the Railway Department is procuring rubble and stone for the Hutt Railway straightening works. Thence the Cobar 6t earned along the east coast of the harbour to Rona Bay, and finally mnqr-ed at Day's Bay. After being conducted over Day's Bay House by the manage? of that resort, Mr. De Caro, a champagne luncheon was served by tho company, and some congratulatory speeches were made by those • who had taken part in what all agreed was ti very enjoyable trip. The Hon. C. H. Hills proposed the toast of "The Company and Success to the Cobar." lie said they had all enjoyed tho outing very much. Many would be able to call to mind the difficulties of getting aeros* thft harbour a few years ago. Now they had four or five fine steamers regularly employed in the service, and many were no doubt surprised that the companies had been able to make the business pay. The Cobar was a very fine vessel, eminently suited in every way for the purpose for which she was obtained. He wished success to-the company. (Applause.) Mr. W. Watson replied on behalf of the company. After thanking Mr. Milk for his kind remarks, he said that the first ferry steamer, the Moa, ran in. the harbour in 1880 under tlie command of Captain Abruhani. She carried 350 passengers, and travelled seven knots psr hour. At that time there was no wharf at Lowry Bay, and passengers got ashore in the primitive fashion inseparable from the times. The return fare was 2s 6d ; now it was Is. At present there were five wharves at the harbour suburbs, and five steamers were plying daily to them. Three of then could steam .twelve knots, and the others ten knots. During the year 1905 the ferry steamers carried 207,001 passengers, the five steameis being licensed to carry between them over 3200 passengers. In 1905 no less than ls4o tons of coal Mere consumed by these steamers, and the wages paid for the same period amounted to £4660. While the return fare to Day's Bay was is, that to Seatoun and Karaka, Bay was 9d, and the company was just about to run" to the Evans Bay Wharf at 6d for adults. In the past he regretted to say that those who had pioneered tho ferry service had received small recompense. With tho amalgamation of the Minimal* Steam Ferry Company and the Wellington Steam Ferry Company, and by good management and careful and cou-r teous conduct on the part of the company's servants they hoped to merit the esteem and confidence of passengers, and to generally increase trade, and so pay a small dividend. In conclusion, he mentioned that the manager had received a telegram from the Premier regretting his inability to be present owing to his absence in the South. Mr. Townsend proposed the health of the manager of the company, Mr. Zohrab. Wellington, for its 6i7.e and population, he said, hud as good a ferry service as any other seaport town in Australasia. (Applause.) He spoke approvingly of tho manner in which the various services had been run, and congratulated the company on the amalgamation of tho two businesses. If thero was one- man who had a good deal to do with tlie development of the service it was Mr. Zohrab. (Applause.) Mr. Zohrab briefly replied. He would, he aaid, do his best to serve his company woll and the public also. Mr. Wm. Cable proposed the health of the ciminnun of directors, and Mr. Watson buitubly responded The run" homo was made round the L north of Somes Itlaud in very. fa6t time.