THE NEW S.S. RIMUTAKA.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXI, Issue 4298, 6 March 1901, Page 7

THE NEW S.S. RIMUTAKA.

_ Yesterday afternoon, on the invitation of the Now Zealand Shipping Company, about fifty gentlemen occupying representative positions assembled on board tho new twin-screw steamer Rimutaka, at her berthage at the j Queen’s Wharf. The line proportions and huge dimensions of tho new steamer, as well as her gorgeous fittings and appointments, were inspected and admired by tho visitors, who included the Right Hon R. J. Sodden, Premier, the- Hons W. C. Walker, W. Hall-Joncs and James Carroll, Dir J. G. W. Aitken, (Mayor of Wellington), Mr Nicholas Reid (president of tho Chamber of Commerce), Mr ,W. Ferguson (secretary of tbo Harbour Board), and loading merchants, bankers, etc. A luncheon, which was a splendid testimonial to tho cuisine of tho Rimutaka, was served in the saloon; and after full justice had been done to it, Sir Murray-Aynsley, chairman of the I New Zealand Shipping Company, proposed tho customary loyal toasts, which .were duly honoured. The toast of “ Success to the New Zealand Shipping Company” was next proposed by the Premier, who referred to tho remarkable growth of the company’s business and fleet, coincident with the colony’s development. Ho contrasted the magnificent proportions; of tho Rimutaka with those of the sailing ships with which the company commenced; and said that, in view of the cost of constructing such a large .steamer, the rates of freight charged wore such as loft no room for lomplaiut. The company had shown its patriotism by coming to tho assistance of tho Government when a difficulty arose about the conveyance of military contingents to South Africa. From the manner in which it consulted the requirements of the colony, ho thought tho company (xnihl: with confidence anticipate obtaining a, continuance of support. The toast,which was drunk with enthusiasm, was responded to by Mr J. It. Blair, on behalf of the directors of tho company. Mr Blair said the prosperity of the company was dependent upon that of New Zealand, and it was to tho advantage of everyone that hho .company should do well for its shareholders. Tho lino just inaugurated in connection with trade to South Africa- would have a fair trial, and when he mentioned: that the .freights fixed wore satisfactory to the Premier ho thought there was .an assurance 'that 'they ’were reasonable. The Mayor, 'iiv.; proposing tbo health of Captain Grconstfcet, ; referred, to thtfb gentleman’s long service-aiid- high reputation, qiuli said that 'the-esteem in which ho was held by .his employers was .shown by their -choosing him' for thecommand,of such a splendid steamer as tho Rimutaka. In responding, Captain Greenstrcet said ho had been, in* the New Zealand trade for twenty-live years, and had commanded the barque Mabaura, which carried: the first cargo of frozen mutton from this country to London. He was proud to- command snob a vessel as the Rimutaka, and he specially praised her , safety, aa her twin-screws _ were a great safeguard against .accident of almost any kind. They had, in fact, been- the moans of averting a collision in the English V-liciiuol when she was on her wiry to the owners from the hands of tho builders. The proceedings, then terminated, the general opinion being expressed that the successful and enjoyable function fittingly marked an epoch in the development of the New Zealand Shipping Company’s business. ‘