THE N.Z.S. CO.'S STEAM SERVICE.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2949, 6 March 1884, Page 3

THE N.Z.S. CO.'S STEAM SERVICE.

[BT TEtEOEAPII.] Auckland, March 6. At tbe banquet, on board the Buapehu lait Dißht English gome was served whioh hud been brought out in the refrigerating chambnr of the veissl, and tbe wines were cooled with ios produced by the apparatus on boird. (

The chair was occupied by Mr Murray--3 Ayosley, Chairman of Directors ; the croupier 3 at tbe Chairman's tattle was Dr Campbell ; . at the head of tbe second (able was Captain ) Crutcbley, master ol'thoßuaiiehu, the oroupier i being Mr J. Anderton, one of the Directors ; , Mr John Studbohne and Mr A. Cracroft , Wilson, Directors, and Mr Qibbs, Secretary E of the Company, presided as the side tables. - Among the gueata were Captain Oldham, of i H.M.S.Lark. Sir F. Whitakfr proposed the toast of the , evening, " Success to the New Zealand ; Shipping Company." He said : When I ) came out from Knglani), we took 123 days to t e»t to Sydney, and when I came on to New , Zeal»Dd, from Sydney, I took 17 days. . When I got to New Zualand travelling about ■ the coast was of the m Jit rude description, in , point of fact Ihero were no public convey- . ances at that time, that is by vessel, I and amongst other things, I bought a small ship of my own for tbe purpoie of travelling about in. It was a , Teasel of 12 tons burthen, and that was then s my only mode for getting about to different I parts of the country. 'This vessel had a very . pretty name, The Eauia, but a friend of > mine rechristened her The Donkey, and in ■ Tbe Donkey I was in t)ie habit of travelling about New Zealand. I ask you to look around now and eee wbat is the mode of travelling. Look at the ships we bave bad in port to-day — the Wairarapa and Te Anau. I ask von to compare my Donkey with those tiro ships, and judge whether you bave net a better mode of travelling now than I had in those days. Something has been slid with regard to monopolies. I think those who were in the Assembly last session will recollect a discussion that took place as to whether some sort of advantage should not be given to this Company in consideration of their having been the first to initiite a service ef this description. I, as much as uny man, object to monopoly, but it did appear to me that under tbe circumstances some little advantage should be given to this Company, and I di J my beat to proenro it. But the General Assembly thought otherwise, nnd did not gnnfc it the oonnideration which I thought it should reciiive. I would say nothing whatever in depreciation of any other CompaDv, any rival Coanpany, if I may so call it, because I bavo n-yeelf no interest in one Company or the other, and I never had any. All I am anxious to tee is that tbey may prosper and carry on' the trade they are now commencing not ocly to the advantage of the colony, but to their own sufficient remuneration. lam sure if they do not make this service puy the colony mast suffer, because tbe service must ceaee. The question simply oomos lo this, whether we are in a position to maintain such a service as we are at present enjojing. Wa have one already established, and we are promised that tbe other one will be in operation in a very short time. I will say in regard to New Zealand, and I know something about this colony, that it is perfectly capable of maintaining iei-vices of this character and description, if we only find a market in other pirU of the world for onr produce, for New Zeilatd is capable of producing titbin her own borders three titneo as much as she herself requires. In proposing success to tt.is Company, I am sure they heartily deserve it. It in within the recollection of all of us, that some ten or twelve years ago there was a monopoly, and the whole trade of this ;olony was carried on by one firm. As regards that firm we did not receive from them any great amount of liberality or any great amount of courtesy. We all admit thero is a great deal of advantage to be had from a wholesome competition. It is a necessary tbing to have competition. We are, therefore, very greatly indebted to this Company for coming forward and breaking down the monopoly, which was certainly not doing us good service. We are to have the best character of ships, and ships suited to tbe trade of this colony. We find that we are better served now tban at any former time, therefore this Company is entitled to very greatconsideration. Itistbefirst that has established a steam service here, and I for one say that we would bare had to wait for some years at all events for a service, if this Company bad not come forward. I have no interest in these Compnniei. I have, of course, the same interest that others have who have taken up their home in this country, in seeing its trade properly served. It is tbe depire of all of us, therefore, thai; such a Company ahou'd prosper. Indeed I believe the prosperity of tbe country means to a. large extent the prosperity of thesa two Companies. I feel sura that New Zealand must gain by their enterprise.

Mr Murray-Aynsley, Chairman, of the Board of Directors, said in responding : We look to the mercantile community to continue the support they hare given as. We have had good support up to this time, but it depends on its continuance bow far we may succeed in the future.' Without the people of the country supporting us, it would bo useless to attempt to run here. We are tatisfird, and we hope the trading comaunity is tatisned also. His Worship the Mayor informed us that he wanted a monthly line to Auckland. We will be justified in establishing a monthly line to this place if the trade of tbe place will justify it. We only want support. Oar steamers will follow the trade, of that you may be assured. Mr Hurst said there were more shareholders in the North tban in tbe South, but what in a company we have to look to is where businesi is it is there we must send the steamer. We hopa that we sball became a mail terries for tbis conntry. We do cot want to interfere with the San Francisco Hoe, but to run alternately, so you would have a fortnightly mail. Wo get our mails sometimes two a week, and then we are a fortnight without any. We hope Government will support us by sending home instructions for a fortnightiy mail, if possible. We have shown by the way our steamer* have ran that we cao perform that service. You bave aeen these steamers coming here with the latest date*, indeed, with a day later news in the South, and much later in the North whin the vessel arrived here. We show yim that we are doing our work in the quickest; time possible. Mr J. M. Clark proposed the health of Captain Crutchley, to whi<;h thn Utter in responding referred to the fact that 20 years ago he visited Auckland at a youngnter on his first voyage.