NORTHERN STEAMERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18709, 15 May 1924, Page 5

NORTHERN STEAMERS

YEAR OF INCREASED TRADE.

INTO ADVERSE CONDITIONS.

COMPANY'S ACTIVE POLICY.

The annual meeting of shareholders in the Northern Steamship Company was held yesterday. In moving the adoption of the directors' report, and the balancesheet, a summary of which was published yesterday, the chairman, Mr. N. Alfred Nathan, said the various trades in which the company's vessels are engaged have been well maintained, the tonnage of cargo and number of passengers having exceeded the figures of the previous year. This is particularly gratifying, especially in view of the competition of the North Auckland railway, which lias had to be met. The development of trade in the Bay of Plenty has been considerable, due principally to the extension from Tauranga of the East Coast railway, and improvement in the train services. The bridge across the Tauranga Harbour has been completed, and it is expected during the present year to run the train services from Tauranga, thereby doing away with the steamer call at the Mount. To meet this increase in trade, ii was found advisable to provide larger and better passenger accommodation. Inquiries were made in Great Britain as regards the cost of building a steamer of the ManaiaRarawa type, these showing that about £140,000 would be required for a similar vessel, which was prohibitive. However, the company was fortunate in securing an option over the steamer Matangi, of 1349 tons register, belonging to an Australian steamship company. The vessel proved on inspection to be in first-class order, being registered Class Al at Lloyd's. During the summer this vessel has been engaged in the Tauranga service, and has proved herself very popular with the travelling public. Shs is very suitable for the company's trades, and a profitable addition to the company's " During the year we have been free of serious industrial trouble and a good feeling exists with the employees," continued the chairman. " Satisfactory agreements have been made by ' round table ' conferences with the masters, officers, and engineers. The company's fleet and plant have been well cared for and maintained; both are in good repair, £27,137 having been spent on upkeep and overhaul. The year has passed free from serious marine or fire disaster, and I am pleased to say we have had no serious accident to any of our employees. The officers and engineers, both ashore and afloat, deserve a word of commendation, for it is greatly due to their efforts that the work of the company has been carriedout without serious mishap. The claims on our insurance account have, therefore, not been heavy, resulting in an increase in the credit balance of this account.

" Tho volume of trad© handled by the company, as compared •with last year, ijas increased to the amount of over 26,000 tons of cargo, while the passenger traffic has been increased by 82152 ordinary passengers and 4525 excursionists. The in crease in the passenger traffic is no doubt greatly duo to the exceptionally fine summer season, together with extended services and the better facilities it hasbeen possible to give the travelling public. The outlook for the coming year is promising, and while we believe our present tonnago could cope with a much larger business, we shall take steps, as may bo necessary from time to time, to keep abreast of the growing requirements of the various districts we serve, with a belief that such a policy will not only help to develop the country generally, but prove of material benefit to the comj pany." - '■' ; - '■ . .'" The motion for the adoption of the report was carried. ' The retiring directors, Messrs. M. A. Clark, N. A. Nathan i and G. T. Niccol, were unanimously reelected; The auditors, Messrs. G. O'Halloran and W. Wallace Brace, were re-elected. '■'- , . A vote of thanks was accorded to '.lie manager, directors, and staff. •. v _