LUNCHEON ON BOARD THE N.Z.S.N.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 7, Issue 374, 7 May 1866, Page 1

LUNCHEON ON BOARD THE N.Z.S.N.

Co.’s s.s. ‘TARANAKI.’ (From the Hawke’s Bay Times, 12th April.) We have already taken occasion to notice the arrival of the above fine new steamer in our Bay, and the fact of a visit of inspection having been paid to her by a party of gentlemen from the port; but our limits hitherto having precluded our giving more than a brief notice of the fact, we now resume the subject, in order to give a more detailed narrative of the day’s proceedings. Precisely at one p.m. on the 6th April the life-boat left the Iron Pot, conveying the party alluded to, which consisted of his Honor the Superintendent, two members of the Executive, Captain Worsp, of the s.s. ‘ Lord Ashley,’ Captain Kennedy, of the s.s. ‘ St. Kilda,’ several representatives of the mercantile community, and other gentlemen. The day was all that could be desired for the occasion, being beautifully fine, with just enough wind to make the trip a pleasant one. The ‘ Taranaki ’ presented a strikingly noble appearance as the boat approached her—so much so as to call forth expressions of admiration from the party. On arriving alongside we found excellent convenience afforded for gaining the deck, and, when there, ample scope for the exercise of our faculties of admiration. The party spent some time in walking over the vessel, examining her machinery, which combines all the latest and most approved applyances. Particularly we noticed an ingeniously contrived apparatus for conveying signals from the pilot to the engineer. The forecabin and its accommodations also came in for its share of examination and approval. After satisfying themselves so far, the company adjourned to the saloon, where an ample collation was spread, consisting of all that could be desired for satisfying the appetites of the hungry, or affording scope for the skill of those engaged in dissecting turkeys, geese, ducks, roast or boiled fowl, ditto beef and mutton, of which latter there were two splendid saddles, one roasted and the other boiled; besides sardines, lobsters, salmon, and, to finish, salad, —the whole being of first-class quality, and arranged in exquisite taste, reflecting the greatest credit upon the steward. Ample justice being done to the edibles by the guests, and all being satisfied, — Captain Thompson,— who presided, being supported on hi* right by his Honor, and on his loft by Captain Kennedy ; the vice-chair being filled by Mr Dransfield, supported by Mr Maltby,— rose to propose the health of his Honor the Superintendent. He said that he, like most of his profession, felt out of place in making speeches; but though he might not be able to do justice to the subject, he felt sure that his sentiments would be heartily responded to by every one he had the pleasure of addressing. His Honor had done many important things for the province, and not only to Hawke’s Bay, but the Colony at large. The toast was drank with all the honors. Mr M‘Lean returned thanks to Capt. Thompson and the company present for the very warm expressions of good feeling towards him, and assured them that it wotijd always be his endeavour to deserve their approbation by his future course. He would propose the health of the Chairman,, Captain Thompson, and that of the Directors of the New Zealand Steam Navigation Company—mentioning in particular the names of Messrs. Rhodes, Hunter, and Dransfield, who had, all of them, displayed much zeal in the cause of the Company, and effected great good to the community at large. It could not be denied that the privileges we possessed of steam communication was a great boon to the colony, and the promoters of it were real benefactors of their fellow-men. The fact of the arrival of the really beautiful vessel,’ the ‘Taranaki,’ in 17 i hours from Wellington was proof of it. We had news from Wellington which, a few years since, we were without for weeks and months together—now in 17i hours—and we were, ho might say from the number of eteam vessels plying on the coast, in constant communication with the other provinces; and the Directors of this Company were labouring to still further extend the advantages of this means of communication. He thought it right, therefore, that we should show them our appreciation of their services, and of the importance of the work in which they were engaged. It afforded him a great deal of pleasure to have the opportunity of proposing the health of Captain Thompson and the Directors of the Company on board such a vesitel aa the * Taranaki ’—-decidedly for her gape-

rior accommodation and sailing qualities an important advance in the right direction. Shortly too, it was probable we should experience still more of the advantages to be derived from the extension of steam communication by the opening of the route via Panama. He would, therefore, include in the toast “ Success to the Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Company.” Captain Thompson thanked his Honor and the company for the kind manner in which the healths of the directors had been proposed and responded to. However, as the directors were ably represented by Mr Di&nsfield, he should leave to that gentleman the duty of replying on their part, ss he could better perform it. Mr Deansfxeld, in rising to perform the duty that devolved on him, thanked his honor for proposing, and the company present for responding in so cordial a manner to, the toast. The Directors had labored under many disadvantages, and had many difficulties in their path ; unworthy motives had been attributed to them by some who should have known them better; and little petty jealousies had existed, and occasionally arose, which rendered the position they occupied anything but a pleasant one. But, notwithstanding these things, he, as one of the Directors, was proud to say, that he believed the Company to be strong and united ; and, if it did not prosper as it should, it was not from any fault of the Directors, whose every desire was that it should do so. He again thanked his Honor and the other gentlemen present for their kind wishes, and trusted that a closer intimacy might in future exist than had hitherto been the case between the population of Hawke’s Bay and that of Wellington. It must also be acknowledged that the other Company alluded to by his Honor had been of great advantage to the community, and bore the promise of still greater things. Mr Routeedge responded on behalf of the latter Company. Reviewing the history of steam traffic on the coast, the Panama Company had done, and were doing much for the advancement of steam communication. He instanced the number of vessels they already had on the coast, and the important additions shortly to be made to their fleet, when the Panama service should be in operation and all its boats in full play. He said there was no doubt that the Colony was indebted to the exertions of the Company’s Directors in Now Zealand for the existence of the above service and its development under the able superintendence of a gentleman he had much pleasure in naming,—Captain Vine Hall, —under whose able guidance the affairs of the Company must prosper, and the general public benefit thereby, for in this case the advantages were mutual. He was proud of his position in connection with the Panama Company; but it did not prevent his good wishes on behalf of their rival, the N.Z.S.N. Company. Ho wished them all success, and was especially happy to do so on board such a splendid boat as the ‘ Taranaki.’ He would conclude by proposing the health of Mr Vautier Janisch, the N.Z.S.N. Company’s agent in Hawke’s Bay—a gentleman who had shown a great and praiseworthy ability and industiy in the discharge of his onerous duties to the Company he represented. Mr Janisch expressed his thanks to the proposer and the company for doing him the honor they had done. The Company wore fully entitled to all the services he could render. He had tried to do bis duty and give satisfaction, not only to the Company, but to every one else connected with the vessels—whether passengers or otherwise —and he trusted he had succeeded. If in any particular instance be had failed to do so, it had not been intended, but was the result of accident. Mr Deanseield proposed—“ The Mercantile Interest,” with which he would couple the names of Messrs "Watt. He (Mr Dransfield) referred to the past history of the Port of Napier, and noticed its present position under the guiding hand of his Honor the Superintendent; and believed that having so many men of energy amongst its merchants, it must continue to progress as it had already done, and only still more rapidly. Mr A, Watt responded. He expressed himself as being very much out of place in addressing gentlemen who—some of them at least—were quite at home on their legs, delivering wonderful addresses. They must, therefore, take the will for the deed in his case, as he was a man of very few words, and allow him, without making a long speech, to tender his sincere thanks for their kindness. Mr Joseph Rhodes (one of the Executive) proposed the health of Mr Maltby, the late agent of the Panama Company’s boats. In a speech of some extent he proceeded to review the wonderful change that had taken plqpe on the New Zealand

coast during the past twenty years, since he saw the first-wonderful steam vessel on the coast until this day, when ho found himself on hoard the truly superior ‘ Taranaki.’ He reviewed the course of action pursued by the Directors of the Company in Wellington, and gave them all credit for the work which they had done, and the praiseworthy manner in which it had been accomplished. He trusted that the Company’s dark days of tri. bulation had passed away, and that brighter days had already dawned upon them. The new vessel, * Taranaki,’ was a credit to them, as it would be to any company that might own her. He trusted that she would prove to be as profitable as creditable.

Mr Maltbt replied in a rather humorus speech, returning thanks for the honor done him in recalling past services to mind. In the time of his early settlement in business, he had devoted a share of attention to the interests of the Panama Company, which he was glad to see prospering. His Hokob proposed the health of Mr George Hunter, of Wellington. He had known him a number of years, and believed him to be a straightforward and conscientious gentleman, who had endeared himself to a number of his fellow-men by the pains he had always taken to forward every useful work. As Director of the Company his services were invaluable, and his unremitting attention to their business rendered him deserving of all the honors they could give. Mr Deansfeeld replied on behalf of Mr Hunter. It afforded him much pleasure to do so. He was gratified in being a brother-director with him, whom lie believrd to be a good man in every sense It was true they disagreed in politics, yet ho had the highest possible respect for him, es it was an honor to be able to claim him as a friend. He could not say too much in Mr Hunter’s favor, for the more that gentleman was known the better he was liked. Again he would express the pleasure it afforded him to thauk the Company on his account.

Mr A. Hennedt (one of the Executive) proposed the health of Mr Duncan, who had devoted very much of his time to the interests of the Company, and proved himself a very efficient servant. Those who knew Mr Duncan best were most aware of the energy and perseverance displayed by “ The Little Man,” and were best able to appreciate his merits.

Captain Thompson responded to the toast for Mr Duncan. He had known that gentleman for a long time. He was a most painstaking and untiring officer, and but that he was not a nautical man, he was all that could be desired by the Company. Always at his post, and always with the Company’s interests in view, he did a vast amount of work, including correspondence, &c., and if all did not go right with the Company, it was no fault of his.

—Thepartythen adjourned to the deck, where a pleasant half-hour more was spent, and then left the side of the vessel for shore amidst hearty cheers from both those in the boat and their friends on board the good ship * Taranaki,’ to which vessel, and every one connected with her, we wish every success.