GLOBE-TROTTING MADE EASY. HISTORY OF A GIGANTIC VENTURE. COOK'S TOURS AGENCY OPENED IN AUCKLAND.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 319, 24 November 1888, Page 6

GLOBE-TROTTING MADE EASY. HISTORY OF A GIGANTIC VENTURE. COOK'S TOURS AGENCY OPENED IN AUCKLAND.

Auckland, October 21. Evjjkyjjody has heard of Cook's tours, bub everybody is nob acquainted with the comprehensive character of the undertakings , involved in this appellation. The history of Cook's tours was related to-day at a pleasant gathering of business men who assembled ac No. 4 Aic-ade Buildings to view the lirro's new premises a,nd wish them on the occasion of the 'Opening 'ol'feho'ir New -Zealand branch office. There was -a representative attendance, ' amongst those present being Messrs 0. P. Pierce, W. Taib, M. Niccol, J. L. Wilson, \V. Aickio, H. Biett, Jno. Reid, J. L. Kelly, G. M. Reid, I). Bruce, R. George, Vickers, Thompson, T. Henderson, C. Buddie, D. B. Cruickshank, Inspector Broham, Captain Olive, and others. The office piesented a very neat appeaiance, and reflected much credit on the contractor. New Zealand wood, chiefly kaui,i, stained and panelled, was used in bisteful design, and the ornamental w.ork was of an excellent description. A few well-chosen photographs and obh- r pictures adorned the walls, and generally speaking, every possible facility had been provided lor the transaction of the firm's business. Mr E. B. Bilbrough, in a neat speech, referred to the inauguration and success achieved by the Cook's tours. Hostated that Mr Thos. Cook, the founder of the firm, began business in this connection with conveying 500 people in a special train between Leicester and Lough boro' in 1841. The operations slowly but steadily increased till in 1851 over 150,000 people visited the great exhibition by excursions arranged over the Midland Railways by Thomas Cook. In 1861 some 1,500 people in one party visited Paris, < and " Cook's Cheap Excursions" thither were inaugurated — and so successfully, that in 1878 the firm conveyed over 70,000 passengers to the Exhibition there, lor which they gave a cheque to the French Minister of Finance equal to one thirtieth of the coital re ceiptsof the whole exhibition. By 1875allthe chief Continental railway administratibns recognised and accepted " Cook's Tours " giving the firm of the right of booking locally and arranging excursions ; and although they have not yet succeeded in convincing the Government of New Zealand of the advantages to the railways of these airangements sufficiently to get them to allow 1 the firm commission on local as well as foreign booking, ib ■was, nevertheless, a well-known fact, that the inauguration ol cheap loCal and excursion fares where the firm has so j far extended, has greatly increased the railway traffic, since residents as much as foreigners appreciate efforts made' to cheapen and facilitate their peregrinations, atid holiday trips. The firm has now been 48 years in existence, and during that period some nine millions of people have availed themselves of the arrangements, including crowned heads, statesmen, pleasure seekers, and . all classes of people. I Advertising costs the firm over £10,000 i annually in the papers alone, while they issue oveu 8,000,000 programmes, handbills, etc., in the year, including about 300,000 copies of the "Excursionist and Tourist Gazette." A very great undertaking was the conducting of a body of 1,000 French Pilgrims to the Holy Land, bub the greatest work the firm has >yet undertaken was the transport of the English expedition up the Nile — contracted for and arranged with the British Government by Mr J. M. Cook. Owing to the success of this gigantic operation, the firm felt justified in extending their system throughout the world, and in response to frequent requests, decided to embrace the Australasian colonies in their field. MrF. H. Cook's visit to Australasia last year was for the purpose of making preliminary 'arrangements, and at his request Mr Bilbrough made the complete tour of New Zealand to see the possibilities of- the colony as a tourist resort. Being delighted with the scenery and satisfied with the hotels, he interviewe.l the Minister for Public Works to see what encouragement the firm might look for. The outcome of this interview, and the promises made by the Union Steamship Company with whom he had made special arrangements, and other steamship and coach companies and hotel?, was the decision of the firm to extend here. When, in addition to such atbractions as the Hob Lakes, Mount Cook (Aorangi), the Otura Gorge, the Buller Gorge, Southern Lakes, and West Coast Sounds — the colony has a fine climate, splendid agricultural and pastoral lands and healthycities, he thought the coming of wealthy people who go away pleased would mean the advising ot relatives and friends to come and see our Southern Britain likewise; arid notonly that, ib would also mean the advertising of the colony ' on a sound basis — viz., from inspection, and therefore the increase of colonists and the inducing of farmers to send out their sons to settle and make homes. And if these would only come contented to make a competency and not to speculate, to borrow at ruinous interest, andjjto look Micawber-like for " gold rushes"-— but rather the gold of the grain, the smiling fields, and the little balance at the Bank — could they come bo a better place ? Thefirm's arrangements cover all the chief routes in the world — from a trip to Australia to a trip to Jericho, the firm can still pass its patrons on there, just as easily as they can now book them tli rough New Zealand. They havo agencies now in all the chiof New Zealand bowns, besidps some 50 more in other parts of the globe, and 60 branch offices. In conclusion Mr Bilbrough mentioned that tlie office fittings were designed by Mr A. P. Wilson, of -High -street, and the contract carried out by Messrs Hirst and Moody. The writing on the windows and doors was undertaken by Mr Henderson, and carried, out by Mr Taylor. 'Mr Bilbrough concluded his remarks amidst loud applause. • Mr-G. P. Pierce said that ijpne could deny that .the operations of. Messrs Cook wei'e both considerable and beneficial. The firm had a world-wide reputation, and the local representatives were 'gentlemen of ability. He asked those present to drink to the success of the firm. -. ,

-, The; in vitation „,w as .heartily resppn ded to and accompanied with cheeks. Mr A. Akin Higgina,,in returning thanks, said :— "lt give's me' great pleasure to be present at the opening pi, the Auckland Branch and to hear the ' Congratulatory sentiments expressed, by you. 'I have been with the. firm . for 'over 15 years and seen the business growing under the able management of Mr Jotlh <M. Cook', who is always making new, eifortsi to meet the public wants and facilitate travel in dll quarters of the globe. I greatly regret that he was not here in .person to listen to the kind way you have j drunk the firm's health. We hope, however, that since he is giving up an increased share of the management of the business to his eldest son,. Mr F. H! Cook (who, as you are doubtless aware, has just recently visited New Zealand), that he will now be enabled to come and see the scenic beauties ot the country for himself, and learn by; observation what so far he has only been' able to estimate by letter. Mr F. H. •Cook much regretted that he could not stay over for the opening of this branch, in which he took peculiar interest, but his regret and, likewise, that of his father, will no doubt bo greatly mitigated when they hear of the kindly expressions made by you as&embled here to-day. 1 cannob conclude without thanking the press for theii kind ) eferences to the firm in their initiatory stages ol their extension to New Zealand and since, nor should I omit to mention Messrs Upton and Co., who fora number of years* have acted as agents for the litm in thid city until the development of thi& business necessitated the opening of our own office to which Mr E. E. Bilbrough has been appointed manager with the excellent results you have heard and seen for yourselves to-day." (Applause). The gathering then dispersed. The office will be open for transaction of business on and after to-morrow.