THE COASTAL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10915, 21 November 1898, Page 6

THE COASTAL STEAMSHIP COMPANY, LIMITED.

ANNUAL MEETING AND SOCIAL AT WARKWORTH. ' The Coastal Steamship Company (Limited), held its annual meeting of shareholders at Warkworth on Friday afternoon last, and gave a concert, limelight entertainment, and social dance to the residents and settlers of surrounding districts in the evening. In consequence the s.s. Kapanui loft Auckland at six a.m. on Friday, in order to enable a number of gentlemen from Auckland to bo present, and in addition there were a number of passengers, visitors to Warkworth, and for various points on the Malmrangi River. Among those on board were Messrs. James Dunning (chairman of directors), R. Logan, jun., Tlios, Wells (directors), Winkelmann (secretary to the company), Hobbs (Whangaparoa), E. B. Anderson, Lewis, etc.

HISTORY OF THE COMPANY. The Coastal Steamship Company (Limited), was formed about four months ago, with a capital of £16,000. The s.s. Kotiti, which had been previously owned by the settlers, was taken over, and the company built the s.s. Kapanui. Mr. Logan, jun., of the North Shore, was the builder of both vessels, and they have given every satisfaction to the owners. The Kotiti, Captain Erickson, is 75ft in length, and steams nine knots. The s.s. Kapanui, Captain W. Southgate, is 100 ft in length, 74 tons register, and reels off 12 knots under favourable circumstances of wind and tide, and averages 11 knots. Tho company have, as far as possible, secured in their service tho sons of settlers. The Kapanui may bo said to have a colonial crew. Captain Southgate is native-born, having first seen the light on Smale's Point, while Mr. Darnell, the mate, is descended from one of the pioneer settlers by the Duchess of Argyle, and was born at Marriage Bay, Mahurangi Heads.

THE KAPANUI AND KOTITI. Both the steamers—the Kapanui and Kotiti —arc noticeable for their comfortable, almost luxurious appointments, '.he ladies' cabins deserving special mention, being upholstered in crimson velvet, having as accessories lavatories and other conveniences. The main saloons are unusually spacious, and exceedingly well furnished. The company pride themselves upon the provision made for carrying fruit and other produce, the holds being large and well-ventilated, which is an essential feature to the successful carrying of settlers' produce. The enginerooin of the Kapanui, which is in charge of Mr. Frost, son of Mr. Tlios, Frost, of Onchunga, is worthy of more than passing notice. The ports worked by the Kotiti are the Wade, Orewa (Unit's), Waiwera, Pulioi, Mullet Point, and Matakana. The Kapanui works Orewa (Grills), Waiwera, Mahurangi Heads, Warkworth, Mullet Point, Takatu, Little Omaha, Big Omaha. Tho Kapanui does the trip to Waiwera in two hours twenty minutes, and in throe and a-half hours on the run to Warkyvorth, when made direct to that township. THE RUN UP THE RIVER.

The weather in the morning, on leaving Auckland, looked threatening, but as the day strengthened the rain-clouds rolled away, and tho result, was a fine day, and a delightful breeze. On passing Whangaparoa some nico coastal scenery eamo into view, notably a number of islands between Wliangaparoa and Mahurangi, including Chandler's Island, which is used for grazing purposes by Mrs. Chandler, Motukilc, and Moturiki, and in tho distance Kawau, Sir George Grey's erstwhile famous island home. Ere reaching Mahurangi Heads the 8.8. Ivapanui was decorated with bunting, in honour of the occasion, and on her way up Mahurangi harbour Handed (passengers, with stores, and look on board cargo at various points. Tho run up the harbour was a delightful one, bay after bay opening out, and revealing new points of beauty, while on reaching the river proper, it appeared like a wavy band of silver winding in towards tho great ranges, with its picturesque banks clothed to the water's edge with native bush and tree ferns. As tho Kapanui passed tho hydraulio lime and Portland cement works of Messrs. J. Wilson and Co., the men turned out on tho river frontage of the works (alongside whioh were lying several vessels), and made overy demonstration of welcome and gratification at the advent of tho party. In a few minutes thereafter the Kapanui had moored at the Warkworth Wharf. It was easy to be seen that it was a " red-letter day" in Warkworth, and Mr. Jagger, of tho Warkworth Hotel, responded to the bunting on the Kapanui by hanging " the banner on the outer wall" at his hostelry. Ho had made every provision for the wants of the visitors, and did his best to minster to their comfort. ANNUAL MEETING OF THE COMPANY. At three o'clock the annual meeting of shareholders took place in Hie Masonic Hall. There was a representative attendance of shareholders, there being about 40 present. j;r. .las. Dunning (chairman of directors) presided. The chairman submitted the report for the period ending .Scptemlier 30, for the Board of Directors. He said it was with more than ordinary pleasure and gratification that lie presided over tho first general meeting of shareholders. The success which had attended the efforts to establish & popular and efficient settlors' steamship company had been in every way encouraging 6000 sharos had been sold, and more shares were being applied for every week. The. Board of Directors were satisfied that- in the near future the company's shares would bo eagerly sought after, and had wisely determined to sell shares to people living in the country only, the advantage of this course being apparent. Tho fine steamors Kapanui and Kotiti wero a credit to all concerned, and wore exactly suited for the requirements of the trade. The directors were sensible of owing a debt of gratitude to many friends, who by their energy and kindness had done so much to place the company in its present favourable position, and in return would do their best to build up and maintain a first-class service, whioh would be satisfactory to producer and shareholder alike. Reference to the balancesheet would show that a fair profit had resulted from the trading operations by the s.s. Kotiti to the present time. Taking into consideration tho fact that she oominenced running at the very worst time of the year, and against an opposition charging half-rates, tho directors and shareholders had every reason to be more than gratified with the result. In conclusion, lie hail to state that their finances were in a thoroughly sound state. (Applause.) The following is the balance-sheet r,s rt September 30: Liabilities: Capital, 16,000 shares at £1 each, £16,000— 10,029 unallotted shares, £10,029 ; 5971 shares taken up, £5971; less calls unpaid, £1873 4s. Capital paid up, £4097 16s; to contracts. £7825; less payments on account, £6120—£1705; sundry creditors, £2113 Is 9d; balance profit and loss account, £43 lis 7d: total, £7959 9s 4d. Assets: S.s. Kapanui, £5055 10s 4d; s.s. Kotiti. £2830 10s 5d ; furniture, £18 14s; sundry debtors, £53 lis 9d; cash in hand, £1 2s lOd; total, £7959 _ 9s 4d. Profit and loss account for period ending September 30: —Dr. to charges and expensos, £20 3s Id: wages, £194 1b 6d; dues and wharfages, £2 0s 6d; maintenance, £55 14s sd; claims, £2 0s Id; interest and discount, £24 6s 3d; balance, £43 lis 7d: total, £341 17s sd. Cr.: By revenue, £34117s sd. The Chairman moved the adoption of the report aud balance-sheet. Mr. S. Meiklejohn seconded llio motion, and it was carried unanimously. The retiring directors were re-elected, viz., Messrs. E. Morrison, Wm. Huntor, Andrew Hood, S. Meiklejohn, It. Logan, jun., Geo. Cruickshank, Tlios. Lees, and .Ins. Dunning. In addition to these gentlemen, the following wcro elected directors:—Messrs. Anton Riissek, of the Pulioi; Hobbs, of Whaugaparoa: E. B. Anderson, Auckland, and Jas. Harrison.

It was decided that the next annaul general meeting of shareholders bo hold in the month of May, at Warkworth. ENTERTAINMENT IN THE M4SONIO HALL.

In the evening the company arranged for a concert-, limelight entertainment, and social dance to the residents of the township and their friends, which took place in the Masonic Hall. At half-past seven the hall was crowded to excess by the friends of the company, the settlers of the district and neighbourhood, some coming 10, 15 and 20 miles to be present. Mr. Carrie, of Warkworth, presided as chairman. The first part of the entertainment consisted of a series of limelight views exhibited by Mr. H II Smith, of Auckland, English and American views, also views of the leading Auckland yachts, including Mr. yacht (Mye Wilma) and views of the company's steamers, Kapanui and Kotiti the two latter being received with enthusiastic applause and rounds of cheoring. They were from slides prepared by Mr. Winkolmann Then succeeded a concert programme Mr Lewis sang, in good style, " Geraldine," and The Soldier s Last, Good-bye." Miss Oberg (a pupil of Herr Zimmermann), violiniste, executed a fatansie by Danola. Another excellent item by this talented young lady was ft mazurka by Wieniawski, which was encored In response to an enthusiastic encore for her admirable execution of a selection of popular Scottish airs, she gave " Yankee Doodle " Mr. Vallack (Wade), who rendered in caoital style, "Vote for Mr. Rafferty," gave in response to an encore, "I Did It," and at- a later stage "You Know." Mr. A. Grant (Mahurangi Heads), sang very nicely. "The Four Smiths," and " Rocked, in the' Cradle of, the Deep," his fine voice being heard to great advantage in- the latter song. Master H. Johnstone (North Shore), executed verv cleverly the sword dance, and the Highland Fling. Mrs. Bayner and Mr. Yaill (Warkworth) officiated as accompanists.

Mr. Dunning then brought the ( a^ al " ee ° t the company under tho !. 1 ?®, t j tra( ] o ing. Ho said they had built in,«"! umw two entirely suitable boats. In t P they had a gopd eea-going steamer, as com fortable as a house, and as fast as a grej_ hound Speed and comfort in t-hcso days was SS^Vr"HBSt advantage of getting from \\arkuorui Auckland in less than 3£ hours° n ®*^ and he wished it to be wet understood tUat on Fridays the steamer would go direct ftwn Mahurangi to Auckland, and from ' to Mahurangi, without calling at I lie Spring, . Ho would point out that by practically lc.-.e ine the distance between the corn ancl the town, the place where the produce was grown to the place whore tho produce was used, their produce and every acrel- - their district was enhanced in laluc. it had been said that the rett .ton wmdd mt on ise the cheapest boat, but he chalie g • statement. The settlers woukl patronise heir own boatstho boats that had teen pai l for with their own money, and which wereide tified with the progress and g °! their own districts. Mr. Diinnig-. ■ some length 011 the advantages offered bj the ™ZI)IS.hnWO-W.» i '! to r one of the first in his district to join he enterprise. The Koliti in three months had cleared £43. Some people said that it as a town, or storekeepers movement but t J would see from the names 011 the directorate that the various districts were well repre°Mr'Hobbs (Whangaparoa and Wade) said that he could assure those present that t Kotiti was doing well at the Wade, and her trade was increasing. Mr. George Cruickshank (Matakana) remarked that they had much to be thankful for, in their fine boats. In the old times it sometimes took a week to get his butter ' the Auckland market. They were indebted to Mr. Dunning and Mr. Logan, jun., for what they had done in this matter of giving cheap and speedy communication, I hey should put their shoulders to the whec , so as to get the company out of debt altogether. They were going to make the company ft success, as the interests of town and country were mutual. , Mr. Sainsbury (Kaipara. Flats) moved a voto of thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who had given thorn so excellent an entertainment. They were indebted also to the Coastal Steamship Company; it had come to stay. (Cheers.) . A number of shares (over 100) were taken up during tho evening. In the evening tho Mahurangi Brass liana, under tho conductorship of Mr. R. Morrison, efficiently rendered a number of choice musical selections in front of the Masonic Hall. , . , The proceedings wound up with a social danco in the hall, to which a large number stayed. Mr. M. Morrison made a most efficient M.C. Light refreshments were provided in abundance by Mr. D. B. smith, steward of the Kapanui. Early in the evening tho Kapanui dropped down to Grants Island, in order to get away early in the morning to Auckland. At throe 0 clock the party for Auckland left Warkworth, being regretfully obliged to bid good-bye to the merry dancers in the hall, who wont 011 footing it till daylight, and pulled down tho river to tho Kapanui. Captain Southgato had steam up, and his crew in readiness, so that there was 110 delay in starting 011 arrival, and tho run was made from tho is. and to Queen-street Wharf in two hours and twenty minutes, thus ending 0110 of the pleasantest excursions which has taken place from Auckland to Warkworth.