SUCCESS TO THE S.S. MAWHERA.

Grey River Argus, Volume XXX, Issue 4784, 22 January 1884, Page 2

SUCCESS TO THE S.S. MAWHERA.

At the invitation of Messrs Girdwood, Lahman, and Co., Greymouth agents for the Black Diamond Line of steamers, a number of gentlemen met in the cabin of the Mawhera yesterday morning to Avish success to Captain Jonstoii and his new A r essol. The msreantile community of Greymouth was especially well represented, as was indeed the town in general. There could not have been fewer than 40 or 50 gentlemen present. The meeting was someAvhf.t informal, but Avas none the j less hearty on that account. The ice Avas broken by Mr Gum- , ness, who proposed the health of their esteemed friend, Captain John ston, and success to die steamer he had the the honor of commanding, the Mawhera. He Avas quite sure that anyone avlio had the pleasure of travelling with Captain Johnston Avould cordially bear testimony to his unvarying kindness and attention to passengers. They would also agree as to the efforts made in navigating his vessel from port to port to avoid all possible delays and secure the v most despatch consistent with prudence in transporting his passengers from their point of embarkation to their destination. During his long command of the Grafton Captain Johnston had done a great deal to open this port, and by making its advantages known to attract large steamers here. This was not done at once nor without a good deal of trouble. A natural hesitation Avas felt about trading to this port; but thanks to the energy, pluck, and persistence of Captain Johnston in so often successfully navigating his boat across the bar he afforded the most convincing proof that this Avas a harbor that could be navigated with safety and success. In fact he Avas the right man in the right place. Recognising all this, it was natural and proper that the Greymouth people should give a cordial greeting to Captain Johnston, avlio had done so much to slioav that this port might be successfully navigated by steamers of large size. It was his experience and his success that Avere the principal moans of inducing other masters to follow in his Avake, until now they nor- only had steamers of very Idrge size trading between here and the different ports in the colony, they had also the gratification of sitting in the cabin of a large-sized steamer direct from the old country ; and he thought it was complimentary and honorable to Captain Johnston to be in command of such a boat. The toast Avas drunk with musical honors. Captain Johnston, in responding, said it Avas not easy for him to find suitable terms to adequately express the feelings I with which he regarded the terms in | which he had been spoken of, or the kindness that had always been shown to him since ever lie had been trading to this port. That was the conspicuous feature in his experience Avith the Greymouth people during the time he had been trading to this port, and he^ would not readily forget it ; and his experience in the old country only made him appreciate that fact all the more. Since he had left these shores it seemed to him that he had - een none so kind and cordial as the Greymouth people— unless it was his own mother. Coming to their bar : lie could remember when there Avas not more than six or

even feet of water on it, so that someimes he had to stop outside for a Aveek at ii time ; but even then he had a firm faith n the possibilities of the harbor, and he vas delighted to see that his hopes had )een realised. Here he Avas now alongside heir wharf, and just about to once more sross the same bar in a vessel drawing )ver 13ft of water, Nor would his vessel je the only one. Before very long there ivould be many more such. In fact he igreed Avith the Harbor-master, avlio on jne occasion assured him that they Avould pet see the Te Anau coming in and going jut of this harbor. He had no sort of loubt of it ; and he only wished he could 3ee the lagoon dredged out and turned into docks, as it had evidently been intended for by nature. Indeed he hoped he Avould yet have to take a large steamer from this port to Melbourne. However, ho would ask nothing better than to continue trading to this port, and he hoped Captain Williams would keep him in the trade. He had great faith in the future of the port and the poAver of the breakwater, which he Avas confident must be kept going. Government, after having already spent so much money on it, and seeing the beneficial result of that expenditure, could not very Avell stop now. Nor Avould they. Hon H. H. Lahman proposed the health of Captain Williams, the OAvner of the MaAvhera, who had honored them by naming his vessel after their river, and AA'ho had done so much for the port that they must all acknowledge it. All avlio knew Captain Williams, as he had knoAvn him for the last 15 years with more or less intimacy, must acknoAvledge the enterprise and indomitable pluck he had always shown — a pluck and determination to be admired all the more Avhen proper allowance Avas made for all he had to contend against. But in the face of many difficulties he had succeeded ; and he only hoped that his enterprise and perseverance would turn out as greatly to his advantage as it had benefitted the port of Greymouth and the colony at large. The world, owed much to men of the stamp of Captain Williams, who helped to develope and build up great colonies. HoAvever much they might admire in an individual the possession of great learning and attainments, still, in a young country like this, it was the man of plain common sense, with pluck and enterprise, that they appreciated most and felt most indebted to. In their eyes it was of far more Avorth to be instrumental in building up a prosperous colony than in being merely a most learned man. It Avas for this reason that they felt such an appreciation of the enterprising and go-ahead spirit always displayed by Captain Williams, who, in furthering his own fortunes benefitted this port and the Avhole colony as well. The toast Avas enthusiastically honored. Mr Girdwood responded on behalf of Captain Williams, and returned thanks for the kind manner in which Mr Lahman had referred to the OAvner of the boat. There Avas no doubt Captain Williams had sliOAvn an immense amount of pluck in the Avay he stuck to this port. Had it not been for that they Avould not that day have seen such a vessel as they were now on board of alongside their wharf. Captain Williams always stuck to the port let the bar be good or bad, and on that account alone, if on no oth::\ r l Avas indebted to him. He had succeeded in making a trade for himself, but he had done a great deal of good to the port by doing so. The Mayor proposed the health of the officers of the Mawhera, coupled with the name of Mr Brown, chief engineer, under whose superintendence the machinery of the boat was constructed — and good machinery it must be. The passage made was sufficient to show that — 03 days, Avith delays included — a magnificent performance he considered, and Avhich could not have been accomplished except Avith the very best machinery. The toast having be 11 honored in the usual manner, Mr Brown thanked the company for himself and on behalf of the other officers of the vessel for the cordial manner in Avhich the toast had been drunk. Though a stranger to Greymouth, he Avas not altogether a stranger to the colony, having brought out the steamer Westport. He had often heard Captain Johnston speak of the courtesy and Avarm kindness he had of Greymouth ; but he Avas not a bit surprised at it, judging from the hearty reception always received at the hands of the people he had been accorded on the arrival of the steamer — a reception which, if he was not proud of it, he ought to be. For his own part lie hoped he would in time create a like friendly feeling towards himself. He did not wish to blow his own trumpet, but he could say that he Avas perfectly satisfied with the engines. The passage the vessel had made Avas sufficiently satisfactory on that pomt — 58 days' steaming 011 a consumption of coal equivalent to no more than l|lb per indicated horse-power. This was a very low consumption, which combined Avith her performance, ought to be deemed very satisfactory. He thanked the company present on behalf of his brother officers for the kind Avay in which they had honored the toast. Mr Petrie referred 111 complimentary terms to the line class of vessels now A'isiting this port, and rather in advance of what three years ago Avas anticipated would be by this time visiting the port ; but although they Avere pleasing to the eye and encouraging to hope from, they ■were not here merely to be looked at, nor their captains to be complimented. Had they been without their coal industry they would not have such steamers as the Omapere and others hereto-day — am mgst them two of the largest steamers that ever visited Greymouth. These might be looked on as significant of Avhat they might expect in the future. When the Koranui came he said they Avould soon see vessels of 2000 tons coming here. That was treated in a cynical or derisive Avay, but circumstances were working rapidly in that direction. Recently he had a conversation Avith a gentleman who told him that steamers Avere hoav being built for tills port which would take away 1000 tons of cargo on a draught of 12ft of water ; and lie had 210 doubt that in the next year or two they would find vessels of 1500 tons coming here, and that these would gradually lead up to his prediction of vessels of 2000 tons. They Avould come upon them in the like quiet and unexpected Avay that the Omapere dropped in on them. The time made by the Mawhera spoke sufficiently as to the class of the vessels noAV coming to the port. The Mawhera made Greymouth in four days after leaving Tasmania, a performance that would not discredi t any of our coastal ' steamers. He therefore would ask those

resent to drink success to the coal !si itevest of Greymouth, coupled with the C .araes of Messrs Kennedy and Nancarrow, ; h rho, now that such magnificent steamers o' , f ero coming to our port, would not be lehind hand in making every provision for I he vessels coining- here — nor in making I very provision for loading the steamers o rifch as little delay as possible. Some- ti hues they were detained for a week. If 1 : hips were Bent here for coal it should be d ho duty of the coal mine proprietors to o cc that they suffered as little as possible c hrough delay that ought to be avoided. I The toast was drunk with honors. c Mr Kennedy thanked the company for t he manner in which they had received t he toast proposed by Mr Petrie. He t lid not feel disposed to claim any special ] sredii'for anything that they had done t n the past. Their own interests had a jeen very largely mixed uo in anything 1 ;hey had done, and if they had succeeded i .11 satisfying the public in encouraging { nitorprise, and developing the trade i Df the port by shipbuilding or otherwise f t was extremely gratifying to themselves f is well as to the general public. It was ] not long since they met on an occasion 5 similar to that, at which "reference 1 was made to the part played by Captain ] Williams in the development of the trade 1 of the port ; but as that was a matter that < had been referred to by several other speakers it would be enough for him to state that he thoroughly endorsed all tbat ] had been said by them as to the courago ] and energy of Captain Williams in invest- ] ing large sums of money in steamboats of ■ the kind they were now on board of, risky as the investment was considered by 1 some people. He would also like to. bear : testimony to the share contributed by ■ Captain Johnston towards " a the general result. He had displayed courage and judgment in the navigation of the port, and had succeeded where others had failed. \ When the Grafton had. been commanded by others she was not the success that she proved when commanded by Captain Johnston. And although Captain Williams was a gentleman of undoubted pluck and enterprise, it was not likely that he would have advanced his capital but for the assurance of Captain Johnston that the investment would be a good one. These were some of the reasons they had for welcoming Captain Johnston. They had a natural feeling of gratitude for the services he had rendered to the port. Besides this, Captain Johnston was a popular man with all passengers who had sailed with him ; he was also popular in whatever part of the colony lie was known for his kind attention as much as for his careful seamanship. As to the future trade of the port, he would merely say that as far as the coal mine proprietors were concerned he felt that nothing would be wanting on their part to meet the requirements of the trade. But there were many things beyond their control that were required for the proper development of the trade, such, for instance, as the storage of coal. At the present time they were suffering from a congestion of trade, but it was not brought about by any remissness on the part of the coal mine owners. Steamboats that might have arrived last week were only able to reach here on Saturday evening last. While they had been lying windbound in the straits the coal mines had been lying idle simply for the want of coal storage. That Avas a thing beyond the help of the coal mine proprietors. At Newcastle, for instance, the coal mine proprietors provided storage, but thentheir carriage was provided at a lower rate than here. If the New Zealand Government would do the same the coal mine proprietors would also provide coal storage. The question was one that did not in reality rest with the coal mine owners. Coal would not bear double handling ; and the question resolved itself into this, that Government should either provide more efficient storage or else alter the tariff so that the coal mine owners might provide the storage for themselves. At present they had j storage for GOO or 700 tons on the wharf, but storage for at least 1800 tons was ! wanted. There was room on the wharf ! for fully 2000 tons, and if they had that every vessel then lying at the wharf could be sent away that tide. That Avas the position, and he could not see that the responsibility rested with the proprietors of the coal mines. The two mines together had sufficient hands to put out 400 tons per day, which was 25 per cent more than the average trade of the port. They could always fiud the additional men provided there was trade for them, but to put on more men ban there Avas a demand for the coal they could turn out Arould menu that they Avould probably have to Avork for half wages. He hoped the state of tilings he had just explained to them avouUl be remedied at some future day ; but as far as the mine OAvners Avere concerned they Avere quite equal to meet trade demands even if they doubled or trebled. Mr Nancarrow also briefly returned thanks for the way in which the toast had been responded to. Ho might say that the company which lie represented would always do its utmost to second the efforts of Mr Kennedy in furthering the interests of the coal trade of the port. So far they had done all that their means would permit of in that direction, and he only regretted that they had been unable to develop the trade ten times as much as it was at present. Mr F. W. Lalnnan proposed " The Press," coupled witli the names of Messrs Arnott ana Petrie," Avhich was duly honored and responded to by Mr Jno. Arnott. J Mr Nancarrow proposed the health of the Avorthy agents of the Black Diamond I Line of steamers (Messrs GmVwood, Lahman and Co), avlio had always done their best to promote the interests of the port. Mr GirdAvood responded. He referred to the number of years ago since he had been first appointed shipping ag nt for Messrs M'Meckon, BlackAvood, and Co., a position he maintained until the advent of the Union Company ; and he was glad to think that the agency of that Company had fallen into the hands of one so capable and deserving as Mr Nancarrow. The business of a shipping agency brought one into contact with a great many people. But he might say without boasting on behalf of the firm, and as a tribute to those with Avhom they had to Avork amongst (the mercantile community) that during the I<l years lie held the agency for M'Meckan and Blackwood all the various claims against them, transhipping and otherwise, would bo covered by £100. That spoke volumes in behalf of those with whom they had to A\ r ork. Mr F. W. Lahman also briefly re-

ponded, and expressed the hope that Japtain Johnston Avould be as successful 11 the new boat as lie had been in the ild. Mr Kennedy proposed "The Railway )epartment," coupled Avith the name of Mr lonayne. While they Avere praising the >Avners and masters of veseels, it seemed .0 him that a Avord Avas due to the Railway Department. It Avas that lepartment that had lifted them >ut of the old rut in \;.:'.S.i the joal trade had once been confined to the narges ; and if they had been doomed to continue in that groove till the present ;ime they would not be assembled there :o congratulate Captain Johnston. It Avas she us\ial thing to regard all Government Departments as the embodiment of red tape, but he could assure them that there was very little red tape about Mr Ronayne, and he spoke from personal experience. He used to the best of his ability for the interests of the public all the means at his disposal, and more succssfully than many managers would do if they Avere 111 his place. He hoped, and he believed the community hoped the same, that he Avould long continue to manage this line ; and, if he Avas to be removed, that it might be to a much better position than Avhat he Avas then occupying. The toast Avas drunk Avith enthusiasm. Mr Ronayne said that in respect to his management he could honestly say that he had done everything in his poAver to further the coal interests of the port. He j Avas not accustomed to stick at a trifle in pushing on the Avork. He put on special trains and Avorked night and day when necessary. Exception had been taken to the money spent on the maintenance of the line, but he could assure them that the expenditure per mile on the railway Avas far in excess of the amount per mile spent on any other line in the colony. If the line did not satisfy everybody, or Avas not all that it ought to be, it was not the fault of the manager or the men. In five years he expected they would have a steel railway, Avhen there would be no more complaints of jolting and want of springs. Their carriages Avere not Avhat lie Avould like. They Avere all fourAvheeled things, and about as bad as could be found anywhere. If he could get all that he Avantod, or all that lie asked for, there Avould be no cause for complaint. He reckoned their coal storage amounted to about 750 tons on the Avharf in Avaggons, and with the help of the storage at Brunnerton belonging to Mr Kennedy (about 400 tons), brought it up to 1150 tons, Avhich Avas not ' so Aery bad. At the same time he had been promised 50 Avaggons by Government. Of these he got but 25, though Avhen he asked for the 50 he said he Avould require another 25 within six months, if he had Avhat he Avanted he would have another 100 waggons, Avhich Avould increase their storage capacity to 1,200 tons and put them in a very good position. He asked Government for tilings, but they had not got them to give. Dozens of places in the colony Avere clamouring for- engines and rolling stock, and they Avere thus forced to do the best they could jvitliAvhat they had. As far as the Railway Department was concerned, he could say that nothing Avould be left undone to meet the trade requirements of the port. In speaking on these matters his wharf foreman deserved a Avord of praise. Not a master that came to the port but Avould speak well of him. He Avas a man who never spared himself, and Avhatcvor success attended railway Avork on the Avharf was greatly due to him. He Avas a good man 'who could not Avell be bettered, lie knew his Avork and did it, and he (Mr Ronayne) never interfered Avith him. He Avould merely add that so long as he remained here he Avould spare no effort to make the railway a success. (Hear, hear). This closed the affair.