THE S.S. WAITAKI.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 151, 14 October 1876, Page 2

THE S.S. WAITAKI.

Our report concluded yesterday just at the point where the Waitaki had returned from her excursion trip. To continue from there, we may state that as soon as the excursionists had left the steamer, things round the cabin were generally put in order, and all " traces " of the voyage promptly removed. We did not accompany the boat on the trip, for two reasons, firstly, because our report could not have reached tliis office in time for publication in last night's issue; and, secondly, because the crowd was so great on board, that there really was not rcom for a reporter to take notes. In justice to our reporter, it may not be out of place to state here that liis report of yesterday was written on the left-hand corner of a soap-dish in the ladies' cabin, so we trust our readers will excuse any faults or defects. But to return to the doings on board the steamer. After Ben had got everything ready, about forty-six of the hungriest-looking men we ever saw sat down to a splendid cold collation. The noble band of forty-six went to work with a will, and breasts of turkeys, wings of fowls, and undercuts of beef, disappeared like smoke before the March wind. The simile may not be a good one, but it is about the best we can think of at the present time. The eatables having suffered considerably, and the greater portion of those present having admitted, like old Punch's school boy, that they could not eat any more unless they stood up, the real business of the afternoon commenced. Mr. George Sumpter, Chairman of the Directors of the Oatnaru and Dunedin S.S. Company, occupied the chair, and Captain Edie faced him in the vice-chair. As business was the order of the day, the usual loyal and patriotic toasts were omitted, and Mr. T. A. Ciowes at once plunged in medias res by proposing "The Oamaru and Dunedin Steam Shipping Company." He expressed the pleasure he felt at being called upon to propose the toast. He presumed that his name had been associated with it because he was neither a director nor a shareholder in the Company. He could not but admire the pluck of those persons who had gone in for a suitable boat for the Oamaru trade. He believed he was correct in stating that the bulk of the shareholders resided in Oamaru or the surrounding district. The fact of Captain Edie being in command of the Waitaki was quite sufficient to guarantee a lai-ge passenger traffic by her. He would not occupy their time, but would call upon Mr. Geo. Sumpter to respond to the toast. That gentleman was able to tell them more than he could about the steamer.

The toast was most enthusiastically received.

Mr. Sumpxer, on rising, expressed his thanks to those present for the kind manner in winch the toast had been received. He could assure them that the Company would spare no efforts to make the steamer not only a convenience to those in Oamaru, but to persons residing in the Waimate districts. There might be some who thought the Waitaki too large for the present requirements of the district; but they must bear in mind that the trade now was rapidly growing, and in his opinion it would not be long before another steamer like the Waitaki would be required. (Hear, heai 1 .) With Captain Edie on the bridge, the travelling public need have no fear, and the trip between Oamaru and Dunedin would not be attended with any danger. After a bad attempt at a song, by a Mr. Humphries, , The Chairman called upon those present to drink the health of Captain Edie. The Chairman spoke in high terms of the gallant old salt, and stated that by his courteous demeanor and careful attention to the comforts of his passengers, he had earned for himself the good opinion of everyone which had travelled with. him. He believed the Waitaki would achieve a greater success under the command of Captain Edie, than any other person that could have been chosen. He begged to propose the toast with musical honors. The toast was drunk, accompanied with " He's a jolly good fellow."

Captain Edie, on rising to respond, stated that he was not much of a public speaker. He thought, however, as regarded the boat, that she was a perfect success, and with careful management, and the good will of Mr. Smith, they would all pull along well, and that the Waitaki would be as fortunate in the trade as the Samson.

Dr. Gaela>td, in proposing the next toast, stated that he felt considerable modesty in doing so, as he was a comparative stranger in Oamaru. However, he had been requested to propose " The health of Mr. Mills, the Manager Director

of the Qatsaru and Dunedin Steam Shipping Company," and he could not refuse. He (the Doctor) could not help being astonished when he looked back and saw the great improvements which had been made since the Harbour Company first commenced. In his opinion the greater facilities which were offered to travellers induced people to travel, and the greater the conveniences provided the larger the traffic would be. He must congratulate the Company on having such a splendid boat and so popular a commander. If persons could now run from Dunedin to Oamaru in four hours, he thought there would be very few who would patronise the coach.

Musical honors accompanied the drinking of the toast, and Mr. Mills, in replying, stated that, like Captain Edie, he was not much of a speechmaker. Their kindness in drinking so heartily to the toast with which his name was associated, had affected him deeply. [Here the speaker nearly broke down with emotion. Dr. Wait, however, was fortunately at hand and applied restoratives, and the speaker was able to proceed.] Mr. Mills then continued, and expressed a hope that the Waitaki would be as successful as the other boat 3 with which he had been connected. The Oamaru and Dunedin Steam Shipping Company were fortunate in having such a good ship, so popular a commander, and also an excellent directory and a good manager. (Hear, hear, and laughter.) The boat was a large one, and she was capable of doing a large amount of work ; and he felt sure that with the cordial assistance of Mr. Smith, the Traffic Manager, in giving her quick despatch, she would do the trip easily each way in four hours. Before sitting down, he would like to propose Mr. Smith's health, with musical honors. Mr. Smith, while thanking them for the cordial manner in which the toast had been received, could assure them that it would be a pleasure, as well as a duly, to give his assistance in furthering the despatch of such a magnificent vessel. In the wool season, he had no doubt she would be found a very great convenience. After Mr. G. Taylor had given the song, " A Life on the Ocean Wave," Mr. Scott, in suitable terms, proposed the health of Mr. H. Aitken, the agent in Oamaru for the Waitaki.

Song—Mr. Thompson. Mr. Aitken briefly responded, and thanked them for the compliment paid him.

Mr. Thornton proposed " The Press," and alluded to tlie power of the Press and the good it could do, when its efforts were properly directed. He coupled the toast with the names of Messrs. Rule and Humphries. Both gentlemen replied—the latter, however, by some extraordinary means, managed to couple the name of Socrates with the success attending the "Waitaki. As we never had the pleasure of Mr. Socrates' acquaintance, we are scarcely in position to contradict the statement made by the speaker. Mr. Robert Rtjxe then sang, in capital style, " 'Tis but a Little Faded Flower," in fact, we consider tins was by far the best effort of the afternoon in the vocal line. lisii •'.-"- Mr. Mills proposed the.^^amaruHarbour Board," coupled witjt the names of Messrs. Sumpter and Forrester. Both gentleman suitably replied, and alluded in glowing terms to. the success which had attended the construction of the Breakwater, a work which waft spoken of all over the world.

Mr. Christie gave that grand old song, " Scots Wha Hae," which was followed by a capital Scotch recitation by Mr. D. Miller.

The.other toasts w«re "The Ladies," responded to by Mr. Scott; "Captain Sewell," by Mr. Humphries; and last, but certainly not the least, -" Mr. Ben. Cavill, the Steward of the Waitaki." Ben's health was most heartily drunk, and received with the greatest enthusiasm. Cheers for the Chairman and Vice, a verse of "Auld Lang Syne," and three bars of the "National Anthem," closed the proceedings, all present expressing themselves as highly pleased. The company returned to town by special train, kindly provided by Mr. Smith.