EAST COAST TRADE

Gisborne Times, Volume XVII, Issue 1381, 16 February 1905, Page 4

EAST COAST TRADE

TBIAL TRIP OF THE KAEO,

The new auxiliary schoonor Kaeo, recently built by Messrs Lane and Sons, o£ Whangaroa, to the order of Captain John H. Skinner for the Auckland-East Coast trade, wont for a trial spin on "Saturday last, having on board a number of gentlemen interested in the oominoroe and ship*, ping interests of Auckland, including Messrs A. Clark (A. Clark and Sons, Ltd.), H. C. Towsloy (Sargood, Son, and Ewon), Brown-Douglas (London partner of John Burns and Go.), E. Morton (H. B. Morton and Co.). W. C. Somers (Bussell ana Somers), H. Gorrie (A. Buokland and Sons), Charter (L. D. Nathan and Co.), Goudie, (Macky, Logan, Steen and Co.), T. M. Lane (Whangaroa), Fell (Hokianga), W. J. Roes, Culpan, J. M. Brigham (Harbour Board(, H. Wilson itown clerk), J. S. Brigham, Captain B. H. Savory (Elverland), Captain Brown (Aotea). Leaving tho Queen-s'root wharf about half-past ten a.m.. the Kaeo, under her oil engines, proceeded up the harbour and then down, and anchored about two miles outside of Rangitoto Beef, the speed attained being about seven knots an hour, although the engines were not working at their full power,: a look around the vessel and her fine appointments for the oomfort of passengers as well as the crew, am’ examination of the material of which sho has boon constructed, the general opinion was that tho Kaeo should prove a most successful vessel for the trade in which she iB to be engaged. An excellent luncheon was provided in the saloon of the vessel. In the afternoon the guests assembled on the deck of the Kaeo, when Mr A. Clark took the ohair at the request of Captain Skinner. Captain Skinner proposed “ Tho Merchants of Auckland,” and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many of his friends present on the occasion. Mr H. C. Towsley, in replying, congratulated Captain Skinner upon the fioo addition of tho Kaeo to his fleet of vessels for . the East Coast trado. Captain Skinnor had done an immense amount of good to the trade of Auckland by building vossols and opening up communication with all the small port 3on the ooaßt. Captain Skinnor deserved tho support of tho mßtohants, and he (Mr Tewaley) felt sure that ho was only voicing the opinion of the merchants of Auckland when he said it was their desire that Captain Skinner would in the near future find it necessary to build a larger vessel than the Kaeo to keep pace with the trade which he had built up. Other toasts were proposed and replied to. Mr A. Clark said that he, as a Bmall boy, remembered the launch of the brig Moa and the barque Novelty from the yards of Mr H. Niccol, in Mechanics’ Bay, two vessels which did muoh to uphold the, reputation of Auckiandas tho centre of theshipbuilingindustry in New Zealand and Messrs Lane and Sons, the bulldors of the Kaeo, had done a great

deal to uphold that reputation, in conjunction with their late partner, Mr Brown. Mr T. M. Lane, alluding to tho timber of which tho Kaeo was constructed, said that the end of the kauri was in view, but they had for the framing of vessels one of the finest timbers in the world —the pohutukawa—which only repuired to be properly handled and seasoned. As Auckland had made such great advances in wooden shipbuilding he hoped to see the time when it would build iron and steel vessels. Mr E. Morton proposed the toast of “ Captain Skinnor,” and expressed the high opinion in which ho was held by the mercantile community of Auckland. During the afternoon ths party engaged in fishing and various other amusements, and shortly after five o’clock the anchor was weighed and a start made for town, the party being landed at (iho wharf about seven o’oloek, well pleased with the day’s outing and the treatment extended to them by Captain Skinner.—Auokland Herald.