JUBILEE OF FERRIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20901, 17 June 1931, Page 12

JUBILEE OF FERRIES.

!THE DEVONPORT COMPANY. REMARKABLE ACHIEVEMENT. "HON. E. W. ALISON EULOGISED. ' FIFTY YEARS AS CHAIRMAN. The fiftieth anniversary of Uio Dcvoniport Steam Ferry Company was celebrated yesterday, when the Hon. E. W. Alison, M.L.C., was warmly complimented by the shareholders who attended the annual meeting on completing half a century as chairman of the company. Congratulatory reference was mado to the company's remarkable record of achievement, in that not one serious accident had been met with during the 50 years it had been in operation, not a singlo strike of any character had occurred, and rot a single year had elapsed during which the directors did not recommend the payment of • dividend of not less than 7£ per cent. The most noteworthy feature of the meeting, at which 26 shareholders attended, was a comprehensive and exhaustive survey by the chairman of the history of the company and the healthy condition of its finances.

In moving tho adoption of tho report and balance-sheet, details of which already been published, Mr. Alison said the accounts mitst be considered fairly satisfactory in view of economic conditions. After making an allowance for depreciation on steamers and plant, tho net profit for the year was £11,230 ss. 'Io that sum had to be added the amount of £544 13s lid brought forward from last year, making a total of £11,774 18s lid.

Effect of General Depression. 'An interim dividend at tlie rate of 7£ per cent, was paid during tho year, absorbing £5625, leaving a balance of £6149 18s lid, which the directors recommended be disposed of by the payment, cf a dividend for tho hnlf-vear ended April 30, 1931, at tho same rate, amounting to £5625, leaving the sum of £524 18s lid to be carried forward to next year's accounts. - It was unfortunate that, owing to reduction in profits, no provision could be made for the transfer to any reserve accounts, and that the allowance for depreciation was less than :n the previous year. • '"I am sorry to inform you," continued Mr. Alison, '"'that owing to the prevailing depression which, as you all know, is not only seriously affecting the State, but tho •whole of the municipalities, local bodies, industries, businesses, and people throughout the Dominion, there has been a marked falling off on each of tho company's lines of trade during the past four months. "Until tho return of more prosperous times, therefore, it will be necessary, consistent with a continuance of efficient public service, to adopt a course of extremely careful and methodical finance and administration of the company's affairsThese at all times have been conducted on sound, progressive and economical lines, but as we are passing through a time of extreme stress and economic difficulties, even greater responsibilities will be cast upon the directors and tho management to so conduct the company's businesses that the interests of shareholders and the welfare of the travelling public may each, as far as possible, be conserved. That task will assuredly be a difficult and unenyiable one." Loss on Operation of Buses. Mr. Alison continued: —"I regret to have to state that the result of the ycai'n working of the North Shore Transport Company has been so unsatisfactory tha'i tfio dividend can be paid this year for, after making the insufficient allowance of 13j per cent, for depreciation on the buses and 10 per cent, on plant, a loss i.3 shown of £53 16s 2d. "There are two main reasons why tho past year's operations have been unsuccessful. The first is that owing to tho existing economic conditions, there has been a substantial falling off in general traffic, and secondly, the taxation imposed upon bus proprietors is most oppressive. Reiferring to the first reason, I may inform you that the residential traffic is fairly well maintained, but owing to the cheapness of the concession tickets issued to residents, the falling-off in general traffic and the excessive taxation, there is great difficulty in carrying out tho business successfully. "I have mentioned that the taxation imposed is oppressive. You often read :.n the newspapers that the charges placed on bus proprietors are far too light. Those who give expression to such a statement cannot be aware of how much taxation bus proprietors have to pay. Let mo tell /you the amount of taxation, direct and indirect, paid by the North Shore Transport Company during tho past year. Tno rfirect taxation paid for licence fees and t ji C ayy traffic amounted to £3574 5s 2d and the indirect taxation, including petrol tax of 5d per gallon, to £2869 14s 1(1, making the total taxation payments for tho year £6443 19s 3d, or a taxation cost for each bus of £l4O per annum. Cost of Running the Bus Services.

"You can easily realise the enormous mileage the buses have to run and the very large number of fares which have to be collected before these taxation charges are met, but when you add to tho taxation payments I have enumerated the cost of petrol (exclusive of tax), payments for wages, repairs and upkeep of buses, overhead, office and general working expenses, tho total cost becomes so burdensome that the general traffic requires to bo well sustained to enable euch heavy expenditure to be earned. "A shareholder suggested that to pliable some dividend to be paid the residential fares should be raised. Well, to do so under existing depressed conditions would, in the opinion of the directors, be ill advised. They would prefer, if possible, to reduce fares. That course, however, is not possible if effective services and well-conditioned buses aro to be provided and I feel sure shareholders will agree that to meet the public requirements regular and satisfactory services must bo carried out and the buses kept up to a first-class standard of condition end cleanliness. "I can assure you the company's business is capably, economically and most attentively managed, and, further, tho whole fleet of buses and plant is well maintained and tho several services aro regularly and efficiently run. Proposed Harbour Bridge. "Shareholders will expect some reference to bo made to the proposal to build a bridge across the Waitemata," continued Mr. Alison. "Since our last annual meeting, tho Harbour Bridge Association resolved to ignoro the finding of the lloyal Commission, namely:—'That £,fter careful consideration of all the, evidence, and after investigations made in the district, your commissioners arc of the opinion that the time for the erection of a bridge across tho Waitemata Harbour .will not arrive in less than 20 years.' "Tho association has promoted a small company which is seeking legal authority to build a bridge across tho Waitemata to be privately owned and authorised to impose tolls on the users of tho bridge, excepting foot passengers. In the bill which, it is stated, has been approved by the several local bodies directly interested, provision is made that each one is freed from any liability in connection with the cost of construction of the proposed bridge. "Personally, I am certain tho proposal Ss premature and such a large expenditure pnwai'ranted. However, if outside' capital

can be secured to complete the building of a suitable bridge with necessary approaches, and the public interests are fully protected in the bill before Parliament, all well, but if the required finance is secured, those who find the money can bo looked upon as philanthropists, not business men. Company's Golden Jubilee. "To-day marks an epoch in the history of our company, for this is the 50th annual general meeting which has been held since its inauguration. To-day tho honour and privilege is afforded mo, as continuous chairman of directors from its foundation, to greet and to offer warm and sincere congratulations to shareholders upon tho attainment by tho company of its golden jubilee. Fifty years seem far distant and wonderful in prospect, yet time passes so rapidly they are not so long to look back upon. And what astounding changes, developments and progression have taken place both at Auckland and the North Shore during the company's half-century of existence! "It would take too long and might bo considered out of place to dwell upon a recital. of even tho most outstanding ' changes which have taken place during tho past 50 years, but a brief reference to some facts, events and experiences which have transpired during that timo 1 may not prove uninteresting or weariscme to hear. I can toll you this, that i'i the company's history during tho past 50 years were told in detail there would bo a noteworthy record of which every 1 shareholder would feel proud. Economic Depression of 1881. " Tho company was promoted, and ' utarted its ferry business under most disadvantageous circumstances and conditions, for in 1881 the times abnormally hard," said Mr. Alison. Iho economic and living conditions geneially were far worse than those existing today. Employment was most difficult to get, money was scarce and wages extremely low, tho ruling rates for labourers being 4s 6d to 5s a day, while carpenters, bricklayers, engineers and other skilled artisans working a full 48-hour week, were paid from 7s fed to 9s a day. As nn illustration of the hard conditions referred to, tho New Zealand Herald, under tho heading of ' Fifty Years Ago,' recently published an extract from its issuo of that timo as follows: " ' The Government has decided to reduce tho rate of wages paid to unemployed on work provided for their benefit. Iho new rates will bo 1 4s a day instead of 4s 8d for married men, and 3s for singlo men, the prices for piecework being proportionately lowered. The reason given for this reduction is the large number of men in Canterbury and Otago who prefer to remain in receipt of Government pay rather than accept slightly higher wages from private employers for larni work.' " As you know, the present rate of wages paid by the State to the unemployed when working is 12s 6d a day to married men, and 9s to single men a payment which is three times gicatoi than was paid by the Government to unemployed on relief work in 1881. 1 rom this illustration you can readily realise the serious and difficult conditions existing in 1881. Rigid economy and hard work were the enforced orders of the day. Half a Century of Progress.

" The quotation of a few figures and facts will, in a measure, serve to show tho remarkable progress which has taken place during tho past 50 years. In 1881 the total population of Auckland City was only 16,664 (less than the combined present populations of Devonport and Takapuna) and with suburbs, 27,423. In 1931 the population of Auckland City is shown as 103.600 and with suburbs, 211,905. In 1881, the total population of New Zealand was 508,000; in 1931, 1,510,940. In 1881 the imports to Auckland amounted to £1,490,124, and tho exports to £813,113. The last statistical returns show Auckland's imports were £15,740,700 and the exports £14,721,526. " Tho vessels which entered coastwise at the port of Auckland in 1881 were 4041 with a tonnage of 340,614, and the number of overseas vessels was 218 with a tonnage of 127,767. Last year the number of vessels which entered the port was 7067 and the tonnage, 2,639,013. In 1881 Auckland province had 153,181 head of cattle and the whole of New Zealand, 695,783 head. By the latest published official returns the cattle in Auckland and North Auckland numbered 1,417,595, while throughout New Zealand the number was 3,765,668. In 1881 the imports per head throughout New Zealand were £ls 2s 3d; in 1930, £2B 15s 7d. In 1881 the exports per head wero £l2 12s 6d; in 1930, £3O 6s Bd. Remarkable Taxation Increases.

" I might here remark that from the 1930-31 figures published of the exports and imports it is apparent that if a favourable balance of trade is to be maintained there must be a considerable curtailment of imports. I might also state, that while the increases referred to are remarkable, the taxation increases are more so. In 1881, the taxation per head was £3 14s while in 1930 it was £l3 8s 7d, an increase of over 300 per cent.

"The population of Devonport in 1881 numbered 1316, and the revenue of the then local public body, the Devonport Road Board, at March 31, was £462 6s. Contrast these figures with the statistical returns for Devonport at March 31, 1931, namely, population, 10,400; revenue, £84,430. "And since 1881 what marvellous scientific achievements and startling, bewildering changes have eventuated' _At that time there were no tramways, not even horse-drawn, no motor-cars or other motor-vehicles, no telephone, no electric lighting or electric-power, no wireless, no aeroplanes or seaplanes, no submarines, no oil-driven ships or boats, no freezing works, no picture films or talkies, no X-ray nor so many of the amazing inventions and developments of the past 50 years. Then, taking in addition the advances and attainments in surgery and mechanics, it makes one wonder what further scientific discoveries and developments may take placo in the next 50 years. First Board of Directors. "ft may interest shareholders to be informed that when the company was promoted in 1881, the capital was £IO,OOO in 10,000 £1 shares. In 1895 the capital was increased to £50,000 in £1 shares, of which £25.000 were then issued. Later on, in 1913, the capital was increased to £150,000, and again in 1927 it was further increased to £250,000, of which £150,000 was issued, and which is the amount of issued capital at date. "The first directors were Messrs. E. W. Alison, J. Edson, W. 11. Fenton, W. I'llilcox anl fieorgo Quick. The first secretary was Mr. B. lanner, one of whoso sons "is now in tho employ of the company.

"The, class and type of tho ferry-boats in 1881 were vastly different from those of to-elay. You will readily realise the difference when I tell you that of the four steamers purchased from the Auckland and North Shore Ferry Company, three were paddle-steamers, named Takapuna, Tainui and Alexandra, and tho other was a small screw steamer named Devonport. The total number of passengers tho four steamers were licensed to carry was less by several hundreds than our company's Peregrine alone is licensed to carry. Probably some shareholders present will remember the small, narrow and shai'p-bottonied paddle-steamers 1 have mentioned, and, visually contrasting the old and tho new, will bo reminded of tho great improvements which have been made in type, style of construction, stability, carrying capacity and speed. "Starting under the adverse and depressed conditions to which I have referred, and succeeding a ferry company which had been running irregularly, charging high fares, imposing unreasonable travelling conditions upon residents, and inattentive to their requirements and convenience, a company which, though it had been in existence for 10 years, had paid oijly one dividend of 5 per cent, during tho whole of that time, tho Devonport Ferry directors decided that their policies would bo tho very opposite to those of their predecessors, and such as

would provide the most convenient, efficient and reliable ferry service at the lowest possible rates, consistent with a moderate return to shareholders upon their capital investment. "Those policies have been continued throughout, and I c;tn unhesitatingly say that tho perfecting of communication and the provision of up-to-date, well-main-tained steamers, plant and facilities, and all that has made and makes for tho advancemcnt of tho North Shore, hns been encouraged, and, as far as possible, given effect to. Further, the yearly and other concession tickets issued to residents on the northern shores are undeniably the cheapest travelling charges in Australia or New Zealand. Welfare of the Community. " T can assuro you that from tho earliest days to the present the minds of (hose who have guided the company's business have been filled with a full sense of responsibility in providing for the convenience and welfare of the travelling community," continued Mr. Alison. 'Also tliev have endeavoured to move prudently witli tho growth of population and the march of progress. I need hardly mention that to ensure success, steamboat management requires study, preparation, training, practical experience and ability. The administration of the company's affairs from tho first undoubtedly has redounded to the credit of the directors and the management. " As one's memory drifts back over the past 50 years there is brought to mind the almost wonderful changes, progression and developments which have, during that period, taken placo in connection with the ferry services, passenger and vehicular. There are also brought to mind the remarkable changes, progression and developments which have during that period taken placo in connection with the city, port, and the northern shores of our magnificent harbour, and the great benefits which the travelling public, the employees, officials and shareholders of our company have secured by reason of that advancement.

" There is, however, sad to relate, one depressing remembrance for, with the exception of myself, there is 110 director, no executive ofTic.er, no member of the office staff, no one employee, who was working in any capacity during the first years of the company's operations who is now alive. Each lias gone to his rest. Fifty Years as Chairman.

" Throughout tho whole period of 50 years 1 have been the chairman of the company, receiving tho support, and onjoying the confidence of successive bodies of directors and shareholders. My policy and practice during all thoso years have been those of reliance.and intimacy with all my associates in every grade of the service.

" 1 have always held that the personal relation, entered into in the right spirit and with a harmonious feeling of goodwill, goes a long way in securing cooperation by the officials and men in tho company's employ to further the best interests of tho company and of the travelling public, I have always endeavoured to put myself in tho other man's place and considered what I would desire done if I were the official or employee instead of being the head representative of the company.

"As evidenco of the goodwill which has all along existed, T might here mention that throughout the whole of its career the company has not suffered a stoppage of its services—not even during the unprecedented general strike of 1890, when the workers struck in almost every undertaking throughout tho country, State, civic, shipping, industries and business concerns. 'J he ferry hands refused to strike and loyally continued performing their duties. The company has a capable, reliable and vigilant body of officials and employees in Us various •services and I trust that the same goodwill, one to the other, which has so long existed may ever continue. Company's Wonderful Record.

" Before concluding I ought to tell you that throughout the whole 50 years the company has had an exceptional record respecting three matters of special importance. Firstly, there has been a remarkable freedom from accident, not one serious accident having taken place during the whole of its career. Secondly, as I previously mentioned, no strike of any character has occurred; and, thirdly, during the whole 50 years, at each annual meeting of shareholders the directors have recommended the payment of a dividend of not less than 7£ per cent. " I know of no other shipping company which has a similar record—a record which should cause every shareholder to be filled with gratification and pride. May the company in the future have a continuance of such a record, and may it go on progressing on sure and sound lines, pursuing the same policies in tho future as in the past, and may the chairman prosiding at the 100 th annual meeting be able to congratulate the then shareholder on a similar record, and that tho same encomiums may bo voiced as stated in the Auckland Harbour Bridge Commissioners' recent report, in which reference was made to the efficiency, adequacy and cheapness of the ferry service, namely: 'Having personally seen ferry services operating in various parts of the world your commissioners have no hesitation in saving that the ferry service on t'ne Waitemata harbour compares favourably with similar services in other countries." (Loud applause.) The Chairman Congratulated.

In seconding the adoption of the report, Mr. G. E. Major said he had no idea when he attended the meeting that there would be presented to shareholders so interesting, so voluminous and so luminous an address. No better evidence was needed of the painstaking devotion which Mr. Alison had given to tho company during the 50 years he had been its chairman. His address was an imperishable document of what had been achieved by Auckland's pioneers. lie had listened to many addresses from the lips of many chairmen, but he could honestly say he had never heard an address so comprehensive, so vigorous and so lucid. Mr. Major said it was typical of tho chairman's far-seoing methods that he should have cast, an eye into the future and visualised the 100 th annual meeting. That brought up the .question, which Mr. Alison had very wisely dealt with, of tho prospects of a bridge being built across the harbour. Undoubtedly, I lie time was not ripe for tho expenditure of such a. huge sum of money as a harbour bridge would entail and the directors were to bo thanked for the steps they had taken in face of tho danger to make tho ferry service ns efficient as possible. Mr. A. E. Glover congratulated tho directors, and the chairman in particular, on their enterprise and abiding hope in the future of the company. Shareholders should bo extremely gratified with tho handsome dividend they were receiving. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. E. M. Coleman, the retiring director, was re-elected unopposed. Messrs. Thomson and Rodger woro reappointed auditors. Goodwill of the Shareholders. Mr. W. Duncan moved that Mr. Alison l>o congratulated on the remarkable record he had achieved of being chairman of the company for 50 unbroken 'years and thanked for the capable and devoted service ho had rendered the company during that long period. Tho shareholders were exceedingly, proud to havo such an efficient, capable and far-seeing chairman at their head. Tho motion was seconded by Mr. J. Raynes and carried by acclamation. It was decided, further, to mako Mr. Alison the recipient of a souvenir to mark his jubilco as chairman.

In thanking tho shareholders for their good wishes Mr. Alison said it was extremely gratifying for him to hear, after 50 years' service, expressions of goodwill and confidence in himself and tho directors. It had been his endeavour to carry out his duties zealously and fearlessly for tho good of the company, its shareholders, officers and employees and for the benefit and progress of the community, and ho would endeavour to fulfil those duties in the same spirit in the future. (Applause.) The dividend will be payable at the company's office, FGrry Buildings, on and after to-day*