HOW TO SPEND A HAPPY DAY.

Observer, Volume 1, Issue 21, 5 February 1881, Page 208

HOW TO SPEND A HAPPY DAY.

Why do not the directors of the Kaipara Steam Shipping Company take a leaf out of the book of the North Shore Ferry Company ? If they did, they would get a practical insight into the working of their steamers that would amply compensate them for any loss of personal dignity they might experience. The leaf to be taken out is the one the North Shore Ferry Company turned over on llegatta Day. On that day the directors went on duty at the Ferry Company's tee, and took it turn and turn about to punch the tickets of the outward bounders and check those of the homeward bound. When I crossed over to the North Shore, Willy Aitken and Buchanan were on duty. The latter punched my ticket for me. In the innocency of my heart, I imagined, first of all, that these two directors had devoted the holiday to performing this somewhat onerous duty in order that some of the company's very much over- worked employees mij?ht, for once, have a good spell, but no, on looking round, the well known faces were all there. Then 1 thought they must be tight, and that this was the way steamboat company directors went "on the bust," but no, altough the "wit " was apparently out, there was no wine in. Then I thought it must be a joke, and that Buchanan was trying to see how many tickets he could punch a minute, but no, he was serious if ever a man was. I attempted a little joke by repeating to him those lovely lines, with the refrain " Punch, punch in the presence of the passengare,"

but I saw from the expression of his face that my levity was ill-timed, so I desisted. Poor man he did not look happy, the perspiration was streaming down his face and he was hopping about with an agility that did him infinite credit, firwt punching the tickets of those going on board by the gangway, then catching sight of a straggler jumping on board over the bulwarks, he would rush after him and demand his ticket, Whilst this was being accomplished, others would escape on board by the gangway, and as there was an enormous crowd, Mr. Bu» chanan must have fouud his position no sinecure. I made enquiries as to the meaning of all this directorial energy, and as far as I could learn, it was simply done to save "bawbees." So here is a wrinkle for other Steam Ship Companies especially the Kaipara Company who according to their last annual report found themselves compelled to write off liabilities in proportion as they wish to declare a dividend, let the Directors off with their coats and buckle to, if -the passenger traffic is not large and ticket punching not required, they could always help to load the steamers and so dispense with the .services of a hand or two. There is only one diliculty, and that is, that in order to carry out the scheme properly the Directors must have confidence in one another, otherwise there will be an extra staff required to watch them. On the occasion I have alluded to at the North Shore Tee, it seemed to me as if Aitken in addition to his own duties was also endeavouring to keep an eye on Buchanan, this of course is mere surmise on my part, he may only have been anxious that his comrade shouldn't injure himself by his exertions. I looked carefully around to see if there wasn't another Director watching Aitken, but just when I thought 1 had spotted "one, the steamer moved away from the wharf. On my return from the North Shore in the evening I made enquiries and found that the Directors were still prowling about but what they were doing I could not ascertain, whether they Avere still watching one another, or watching their employees, or counting up the tickets and comparing the result with the "bullion," I know not. But anyhow I congratulate them upon their talent and trust they spent a pleasant holiday.