LUNCH ON BOARD THE HAWEA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4459, 5 July 1875, Page 6

LUNCH ON BOARD THE HAWEA.

In response to the invitations issued by the directory of the Union Steam Ship Company, nearly a hundred gentlemen sat down on (Thursday, July Ist, to luncheon on board the new steamer Hawea. Amongst those present were his Honor the Superintendent of Wellington, W. Fitzherbert, Esq. ; Hon. W. H. Reynolds, Commissioner of Customs ; Hon. O. C. Bowen, Minister of Justice ; and several members of the House of Representatives, Provincial Council, &o. The. company having partaken of the good things provided, Mr. George McLean, one of the directors, who occupied the chair, gave the “ Queen and Royal Family,” “ The Prince and Princess of Wales,” and “ His Excellency the Governor.” In regard to the latter toast, he spoke of the great popularity his Excellency and the Marchioness of Normanby had, gained wherever they had as yet visited, whether, in the North or South.

The toasts were duly honored. The Chairman then proposed, “ His Excellency’s Responsible Advisers.” In doing so he said many gentlemen present .wished to.get away quickly, and that must be his excuse for making his remarks brief. -He hoped his Excellency’s advisers would give him good advice on one subject, namely, to travel in the Hawea and leave the Luna at home. (Cheers and laughter.) The Hon. Mr. Reynolds said : Gentlemen, When I came here, I did not expect to be called upon to respond to a toast, in fact, I came here to get my luncheon—(laughter)—■ and I think, sir, you have shown a very good example in making your speech so short, an example which I quite intend to follow, for I cannot see that very much is to be said. But there is one thing which stikes me in connection with this occasion, viz, that day by day and year by year the colony is advancing to a very great extent. I remember my first visit to New Zealand I was detained here for eight weeks before I- could get an opportunity of going to Dunedin, and then I had to go in a little craft which is still plying in the harbor here, I refer to the Shepherd. (A laugh.) Since then, we have advanced wonderfully, gradually improving our steamers, till now wo have in this harbor so handsome and capacious a steamer as the Hawea. With regard to the suggestion which has fallen from you, sir, that his Excellency’s responsible advisers should advise his Excellency to take advantage of the splendid accommodation of the Hawea, and avail himself of her on his trips North and South, I think it is scarcely necessary for us to advise him on that point. No doubt he will take the best boat he pau find upon the coast, - and if he shoiild'visit the Hawea, I think he will have but one opinion on the subject. I may say that for my own part I shall always look for the best boat, and so far as I can see just now, the Hawea will suit me amazingly. (Laughter.) I have to thank you gentlemen, for myself and on behalf of my colleagues, for the manner in which you have drank the health of his Excellency’s Responsible Advisers. The Chairman gave “ His Honor the Superintendent, William Fitzherbert, Esq.” From his .(the chairman’s) experience, Mr. Fitzherbert had been a good Superintendent for the province of Wellington ; indeed, although lie was not going to meddle with political affairs, if he were speaking as the representative of another part of the colony he should say that gentleman had been too good a Superintendent for Wellington ; but possibly very few of those present would agree with Mm on that point. Still he was very glad to see the Superintendent of any province doing the best he could for the interest of the community he represented ; and although he might politically disagree with Mr. Fitzherbert, he honored him for the earnest manner in which he worked for his province. With their fine wharf and other conveniences the shipping interest could not but feel indebted to the Superintendent, and therefore it was with pleasure ho called upou the company to drink his Honor’s health.

His Honor thanked the company for the kind manner, in which the toast had been received, and referred to tho satisfaction which must be felt by old residents when they saw their splendid harbor graced by the presence of so fine a vessel as tho Hawea. After some bantering remarks on the New Zealand Company having now to cope with a rival who wished to share in its profits, he said, seriously speaking, most persons must be pleased to witness hew competitors enter the field, and this not because they were dissatisfied with the New Zealand Company’s services, but for many other reasons, principal amongst which was the idea that free trade in all things was good (hear, hear). And again, they liked to have plenty of shipping in their port. We have nothing particular to dispose of, for we have not the thousands of bushels of wheat which some of the richer provinces produced ; but we have our wants, and claimed to be attended to. In fact, Wellington was a hind of corner shop—(a laugh)—which could not be passed by. There was plenty of accommodation, but there was nothing particular to sell to-day, though there might be some day ; yet the corner shop must be attended to. In conclusion, he proposed “ Success to the Union Steam Ship Company,” coupling with it the name of Mr. George McLean. The Chairman, as representative of the company, desired to return thanks for the manner in which the toast had been received, also for the compliment paid to the company by the visit of so many of tho business men of the city. -He would go a little further than the Superintendent, and express the opinion that Wellington was sure to become a great port. The East Coast and the West Coast were already drawing supplies from here, and so soon_ as railway communication with adjacent districts became more general, AVellington must become a port of great importance. He had not lately come to hold that opinion, for his Honor knew he had expressed the same sentiments years ago, and now he held the opinion more firmly than ever. With regard to the company which ho represented, he might say it was fully alive to tho progressiveness of New Zealand, and that was the reason they came before the colonists with the new steamer. They saw that tlie expansion of New Zealand trade required more carrying power. They did not desire to interfere with other companies, but they behoved there was sufficient room for them and others too., (Hear, hear.) Of course, they had produced a vessel superior to others on the coast, but nothing could bo said against other companies for not having better supplied the wants of. the trade. Tho vessels hitherto in use had been procured when they were suited to the trade, and had done good service, though it was only fair to say these vessels were not equal to the new boat, seeing that she was provided with all the latest improvements. But 'the other company, doubtless, would soon improve Its fleet, and he trusted there would he room for all. That there was room for both ■ho was convinced, from the largo quantity of freight which had been offered, part of which had to bo refused. (Hear, bear.) The Union Company was anxious to extend its trade, and to pay good dividends to its shareholders ; and they wore also anxious that the company should not' be rnerely an Otago company but ‘ a New Zealand company, and that there would be shareholders in every port. Ho then referred to tho good qualities of the vessel, but admitted that a mess had been made of tho trip from Lyttelton. This had been occasioned by injudicious loading ; and it was reasonable enough that with her screw out of water the’ vessel should have travelled slowly. But this would not be done again, and the Hawea would soon prove she was a really good boat. He would now propose “ Success to Other Steamship Companies,” and expressed the hope that all would work amicably together. (Cheers.) Mr. Burns (of thoN.Z.S.S. Co.) said he had much pleasure in responding to the toast, and on behalf of his company offering a welcome to the Hawea in tho trade. Tire company which he represented had worked very hard for a number of years, and doubtless with some success, not extraordinary success perhaps, but still they had made headway. However, they were not sufficiently selfish to think they should not be met by competition—(cheers) —and they offered tho Hawea a ( friendly welcome into Wellington waters.

Their boats were not equal to the 'Hawes, but nevertheless they had done exceedingly well for many years, and while he was glad to see a better boat had now come in, he hoped the New Zealand Company would before long be equal with,the .Union Company in respect to the quality of boats. (Cheers.) Mr. Bishof (agent for McMeckan and Blackwood) also responded. He hoped the Union Company would have success, and trusted the Melbourne Company would still be able to hold its own along the coast. No doubt the new steamer would prove a benefit to the New Zealand people, and he trusted all companies would .work together amicably. Mr. Edward Pearce then proposed the health of Captain Malcolm. He was quite sure everyone would receive the toast well, for all who had had the pleasure of travelling with that gentleman spoke very highly of his genial manner ; not that this was his only claim to their esteem, for ho commanded respect by his ability, none being better up in the duties of his profession than he. Captain Malcolm responded. “ Success to the Hawea,” proposed by Mr. Fitzgerald ; “ The Agents of the Union Company/’ proposed by" Mr. Dransfield and responded to by. Mr. Leviu ; and 11 Captain Wheeler,” proposed by. Mr. Duncan, haying been duly honored, the company separated. We may mention that the luncheon .was-got up in first-class style by Mr. Bennett, providore of the boat.