THE S.S. KANIERI.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 20902, 11 May 1887, Page 2

THE S.S. KANIERI.

Tub 8.8 Kanieri,’■ the latest addition to the fleet of the Union 'team Ship Company of New Zealand, arrived in Blenheim yesterday morning. She has been built expressly for the trade between this port and Wellington, being of light draught and of great carrying capacity in proportion to her depth. A full description of the vessel has already appeared in the Ma ßLßOitouti ii Daily Times. The Kanieri made the passage up the river yesterday without the slightest dilficully and without touching ground in any place. Notwithstanding the wetness of the weather a number of well known business men.and others went on board the new steamer yesterday forenoon and were shown over her by Mr Juggins, the Blenheim representative of the Union Company. Her accommodation was much admired, and is in fact far better than in any other vessel of her size trading on this coast. In most small steamers the Judies’ quarters are wretchedly small, but in the Kanieri they are at least as well provided for as the men. Their cabin is forward, clear of the noise of the screw, and is roomy and comfortably furnished. After inpeeiing the various parts of the ship the visitors were invited InMr Liggins and Captain Manning to go down to the saloon to drink pros per ty to the vessel. Mr Horton proposed the toast Success to the s.s. Kanieri and the Union Steamship Company, coupled with the name of Captain Manning. He said that no doubt some of the gentlemen present would remember the beginning of the river trade to Blenheim. At first all the-communication was by Port Underwood and the first ambition of the settlors was to secure the services oi one.or two hookers. This was after a time accomplished and a craft named the Falcon was obtained for the trade. This was followed by two other, named the j Treble X and the Dido. The first 1

steamer on the river was a era it j named the Osprey which had been 1 originally built for a punt and had an old engine fitted on board, j which drove sort of Mappers by which she was propelled. This vessel was n-md to tow the sailing craft up and down the river. Other vessels of a better sort were afterwards put on the trade, till for a time traffic on the river was stopped by natural causes. On the reopening of the river trade was resumed and the Union Company and other owners had run vessels. The Waihi had done good service and now she was surpassed by the fine boat on board of which they then were. The Company deserved all credit for their .■■ 1 ‘. prise in providing such ample accommodation for the trade of the port. Much had been said lately about improving the port of Pieton and providing additional wharf accommodation there with the object of sending the whole trade of the district that way. He did not approve of this scheme and considered that it would be wasting the public money to spend it in such a manner. The greater part of the trade of the district was done with Wellington, and it was invariably the case that goods were conveyed more cheaply when only one carrier was employed than where there were two. At present the railway charges to Pieton were within a fraction of the freight from Blenheim to Wellington, and he thought that it would be wise to give every encouragement to the river trade. The Union Company deserved the thanks of the commercial community for their enterprise, and he begged the gentlemen present to think their health, with prosperity to the Kanieri, coupling the toast with the name of Captain Manning. Captain Manning expressed his pleasure at the manner in which the toast had been proposed and received. He had every belief in the permanency of the river trade, and suggested that more interest

should lie taken than at present in improving the river. lie did nob say that large sums of money should be spent, or that there should be anything like a Harbor Board, but often a small expenditure of LIO or L3O would materially aid the navigation of the river. Mr Liggins proposed the Mercantile and trade interests of Blenheim. He said that though tue Union . Company was often charged with having a monopoly it did not wish to raise the rates of freight, and in fact had lowered thorn from time to time. The prosperity of the Company of course depended on the mercantile interests. Jle coupled with the toast the names of Messrs Clous ton, Hanna, Earp, and G irling who each briefly replied. Mr Olouston proposed the health of Mr Biggins, who thanked the visitors for the manner in which they responded to the Toast.