A STEAM-TENDER FOR WESTPORT AND CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 472, 2 March 1869, Page 3

A STEAM-TENDER FOR WESTPORT AND CHARLESTON.

PUBLIC MEETING. A meeting which had been called by circular, but which was open also to the public generally, was held on Friday evening in the large room of Gilmer's Post-office Hotel. Its object was to take preliminary steps for the formation of a company to provide a suitable steamer for the service of the port and district. There was a large attendance, a majority of the business men of the town being present. Mr John Munro was nominated to the chair.

The Chairman, in stating the purpose of the meeting, expressed his satisfaction at seeing so large a number present. He accepted it as encouraging evidence of interest being taken in its object, and of the public desire to see that object achieved. It was a matter greatly to be regretted that, in Westport, there had been a want of sympathy on nearly every subject which had been brought before the inhabitants. There was, however, in this meeting some indication of a healthy spirit of co-operation. It was gratifying to be able to congratulate the inhabitants upon such a fact, and he hoped that the promising appearance of the meeting at its beginning would be succeeded by as agreeable results. He hoped the object of the meeting would be taken into consideration, and be dealt with earnestly, yet fairly. He intimated that Mr W. Lloyd would favor the meeting with explanations and with calculations which he had made as the basis upon which they might proceed to consider the advisability of procuring a steamer suitable for the Buller, and for the adjoining ports. Mr Lloyd begged to lay before the meeting a few facts relating to the subject, before it became directly under discussion. The subject was one which had been talked about and written upon to a very great extent, without, as yet, any practical result; but he believed that it only required a little active movement to have the matter set in thorough working order. Admitting the desirability of forming a company for the purchase of a suitable steamer, there arose three distinct questions. Should we have a steamerfitted for towingpurposes only? Should we have a steamer fitted also for tendering the larger steamers in the roadstead ? And should we have a Bteamer which, including these two purposes, would also be suitable for the coasting trade, such as the adjoining ports of Charleston and Fox's ? As to having a tug-boat only for the port, he thought that the day had gone bye when such a project would create a sufficient amount of interest. But, by a little amalgamation of interests—by having several services so conjoined that they would work easily and smoothly throughout—he had little doubt of a company proving an unqualified success. He considered, first of all, the extent of the surrounding district, and the fact of the people inhabiting it looking upon Westport as the emporium from which the-r could be most readily supplied witu all articles of general consumption. He relied also upon the hope of regular steam communication with Charleston and Fox's increasing the relationships between the business people there and "Westport as their proper centre of trade. He considered, further, that it would be a red-letter day when we should have a steamer waiting upon the inter-provincial and inter-colonial boats calling off the port. He believed that it would be the commencement of a new era in connection with the interests of thi3 part of the country, if the privilege of the large steamers calling off "Westport could once be secured. He had only that day been informed that there was a probability of Hokitikaand Grreymouth being the two first ports of call for the steamers bringing the outward Suez mail. If that were to be the case, it would naturally at once occur to the meeting that if the inhabitants of Westport were in a position to say to the owners of these vessels, " We can sign a contract with you to have our tender alongside your boats immediately they drop anchor here," it was reasonable to suppose that, with the known exports of Westport, and with the known facilities for tendering, so far as the harbour was concerned,;they would have no objection to make arrangements by which their boats would call. Coming to the next point—towage— that was the weakest point in his programme. Still he thought some amount of revenue would be derived from towages. The charges hitherto had been preposterous, and from that fact alone towage was not so freely taken as it would otherwise. They had an example in the fact of one vessel now remaining inside the bar, and of two being in the roadstead, detained by the absence of facilities for towing, except at extravagant rates. His plan was to have a boat suitable for that purpose, for the tendering of steamers, and for the requirements of the Charleston and Fox's trade ; and, in reference to the latter places, he understood that the project would he well received if "Westport would only take the lead. With regard to the probable cost, he must first explain the description of the boat required. To suit the Charleston and Fox's trade, any boat that might be procured would require not to be larger than the Waipara. A steamer carrytog 40 tons under hatches, and steam-

ing 8£ or 9 knots light, or 7i or 8 knots loaded, would answer all requirements. A boat of this description, and of 25 horse power, would cost about £IOO a month for coals at 15s per ton ; that was, provided the steamer was a new one, and that no repairs beyond ordiaary repairs were required. As to the amount of support any proposed company would be likely to receive, he might say that, in casually canvassing tbetown.he had had more support than even he expected to have met, and the general result of his canvass was that, between large and small numbers of shares, a very satisfactory amount would be invested in the project. His own impression was that a company would be better launched with £lO shares than ar y other amount, and that it should be placed under the Limited Liability Companies Act. The present meeting, he suggested, should be a preliminary one, and by a Provisional Committee information should be obtained from the other districts. Fortified with information, it would be for the Committee to report to a general meeting, and for that meeting to determine what further steps should be taken.

Mr Lloyd, in reply to questions put to him, said he calculated the traffic from "Westport to Charleston to be about fifty tons per week by sea, and there had been three or four drays carrying the lighter or bulkier goods at from £6 to £7 per ton. At present, however,, from trade being affected by the drought, there was not so much goods going to Charleston. As to lighterage from steamers, he thought that 30s a ton would be readily given for goods brought over the bar and landed at the wharf. The freight of gold would remain about the same, and he thoughtthebanks here would much prefer direct shipment to pay ing twof reights and possibly two insurances. He estimated the cost of a suitable steamer at £2500 or £2600, new. Possibly to make her thoroughly suitable for shallow bar harbours a trifle more would be required for the extra amount of metal in the flooring. There was not in New Zealand a class of boat suitable. He understood there were one or two of the tonnage in Melbourne or Sydney, but whether they would answer all requirements he could not say. One could, at either of these ports, be built, engined, and launched in nine or ten weeks. He thought £3OOO or £3500 would be ample capital to start with. The direct benefits of the project, he thought, must be apparent to everyone, and it was one which was as deserving of support in Charleston and Brighton as in "Westport. The Chairman said the meeting must undoubtedly feel indebted to Mr Lloyd for the manner in which he had explained the object ©f the meeting, and the means by which it could best be carried out. (Applause.) He called upon gentlemen to move any resolutions which it might be considered advisable to propose. Mr Humphrey proposed the first resolution:—

That, in the opinion of this meeting, it is desirable to form a company for the purpose of providing a suitable steamer for the service of the port and district. After the lucid explanation which had been given by Mr Lloyd, it was unnecessary for him to do more than simply to propose the motion. He trusted to the meeting giving it their cordial support. Mr Batcliffe seconded the motion; and it was unanimously carried. Mr Lloyd, in the absence of Mr Powell, who expected to have been present, but who was unable to attend, moved the second resolution : That the nominal capital of the company shall be £3OOO in 300 shares of £lO each, and that the said company be brought under the provisions of the Limited Liability Companies' Act.

Mr Alcorn had much pleasure in seconding the resolution, although he thought the proposed capital was rather small. He would have preferred if it had been £4OOO. To get a steamer to suit & particular trade, it was neeessary to go to a larger expenditure than in other cases. However, he imagined it was competent for a company to enlarge their capital at any time. As to the company paying, there was no doubt that it would pay a moderate interest, and more was not expected in such cases. Supposing it were not altogether a loss, it would be a very good and desirable thing, and he would have no hesitation in investing in it. At any rate, and for the present, he would have no hesitation in subscribing a small amount for preliminary expenses, for the purpose of obtaining an idea of the number of shareholders likely to join, and of the chances of securing a steamer likely to suit.

Mr Lloyd pointed out that the resolution referred to " nominal capital." It would he competent for any company to increase their capital. Mr Alcoek moved the third resolution: — That, in order to carry out the foregoing resolutions, a Provisional Committee, to consist of nine members, be at once elected ; five to form a quorum. There would necessarily he some preliminary expenses, and he hoped they would be met, so that, whether a company were formed or not, the Committee would not sustain any loss. Mr Lloyd explained that any preliminary expenses would he something under 20s. He would he most happy to undertake the same duty in Charleston or Brighton as he had undertaken here. The only duty of the Provisional Committee would he to draw up a report emhodying the result of inquiries in Charleston and Brighton.

Mr J. SiiiPSOKseconded the motion, and the following gentlemen were nominated and elected as a Provisional Committee: —Messrs Humphrey, Pow» ell, Alcorn, Freeth, Field, Hill, Parry, Pirie, and Lloyd. Mr W. Pitt moved the fourth resolution : That, in order to ascertain the amount of support likely to be accorded the undertaking from the districts of Charleston and Brighton, the Provisional Committee be requested to take active steps to report the Same to a general meeting to be called on an early day. He believed the enterprise would be found sufficiently remunerative, if it were taken up by the inhabitants of "Westport alone, but it was very desirable to secure the sympathy and support of Charleston and Brighton, because a mutual service might be done by carrying on the coasting trade. It was too bad that we should have to wait for our goods and mails coming sometimes from Hokitika, sometimes from Nelson, and carried all round the coast before they were delivered. He believed from letters from Messrs M'Meckan and Blackwood which he had seen, that, if there were only a tender stationed at Westport, their steamers would call. He believed also that the same firm had a very good boat called the " Mystery," and he had no doubt that, if she were suitable, they would take shares to some proportion of her value. It would, however, undoubtedly promote the project very much if the assistance of Charleston and Brighton were obtained, and, in any selection that might be made, their interests would require to be considered. Mr E. K. Ttlee seconded the motion, which was also agreed to. On the proposition of Mr O'Conoh, the meeting was adjourned until it should be called together by the Provisional Committee ; and the proceedings terminated with a vote of thanks to the Chairman.