UNION S.S. COMPANY.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2358, 26 November 1908, Page 3

UNION S.S. COMPANY.

THE NE.W OFFICES

OPENING FUNCTION

At- tlie invitation of Mr. J„ W. J. Preston, manager .at Gisborne for tho Union Steamship Company, about 50 of the leading commerical and business gentlemen of the town were entertained yesterday on board the intercolonial steamer Manuka to celebrate the opening of the company’s new offices in Childers Road. Among those present were the Mayor (Mr. VV. D. Lysn-ar), Messrs F. Parker, F., W. Riaoh, A. F. Kennedy, R. G. Haifamore, J. W. Bright, John Towinley (chairman of tho Gisborne Harbor Board), J. AYhinray, G. Stock, J. B. Kells, L. T. Sym.es, V. Pyke, C. A. deLautour, F. J. Wilson, junr. (architect), and G. Smith (principal contractor for the building), and Captains Oumming and Chrisp. When the tender left the wharf with the party the Tuatea. was gaily dressed in bunting, and the Manuka also had flags -flying from all points a.s tho steamer lay at anchor. On arrival the guests at once sat down to a capital dejeuner. The Mayor occupied the chair, and Captain Newton, of the Manuka, the vice-chair. THE TOASTS. The Mayor said that “those present had met at the kind invitation of the Union St earn.sip Company to formally celebrate the opening of their new offices. The company was a -progressive one, and their enterprise in erecting a handsome building in Gisborne showed that the company meant to keep pace with the prosperity of the district. He then proposed the health of the “The King,” and the toast was drunk with musical honors.

In proposing the toast of “The Union Steamship Company, Ltd.,” Air. John. Townley said the cordiality of the gathering showed the general popularity of the company. The company fli-ad had but- a small beginning, but had increased in strength until now it was looked upon as the foremost and most -progressive shipping company in Australasia. The secret of the Union Company’s success was that it was always anxious to be in the lead in maritime enterprise. He (Mr. Townley) remembered his -first journey to Auckland in the “Pretty J ane,” and the excitement that prevailed in the northern capital when the Union Company’s first steamer, the “Hawea.” was to sail from One-h-unga for the south. Since then- the company had got together a- flotilla of large, commodious, and fast steamers, and had done all possible to cater for the comfort of the travelling public. The Union Company had taught the lesson of enterprise, for it was ever ready to fill a gap where trade could be pushed forward, and he wished the shareholders, managers, officers, and directors of the company continued prosperity and success. He thought the time had come- when the East Coast 'trade should be developed by the company, and a line of large mid fast steamers kept calling at the principal ports, The toast was enthusiastically drunk, with musical honors. Mr. Preston, on rising to reply, was received with applause. He thanked Mr. Townley for liis tribute to the company and all present lor the way they had honored the, toast. He explained that the company’s business in Gisborne had grown so rapidly thatthe offices in Gladstone Road had become too cramped for the staff,, and new offices were found necessary. The new offices were very convenient, and when the Harbor Board allotted tlie Tuatea a berth opposite Childers Road, passengers would -only need to j walk a few paces from the company’s j office to embark on the tender. The| Union Company know the value of the j word progress, and desired to always do the utmost to supply the needs of passengers. The East Coast- was now served by large Steamers, and in reference to the congestion took place occasionally between Napier and Gisborne he would explain that it was due to circumstances over which the company had no control, and he would assure them that on tlie average the capacity of the steamers was more than equal to the number of passengers offering. He was proud to see sucli: steamers as tlie- Manuka, Mokoia, and AVaikare trading on the East Coast-, and could assure the residents of Gisborne that if the ti’ade' was maintained tho steamers would be kept on the run. Air. C. A. deLautour proposed the “Gisborne Harbor Board,” coupled with tlie name of the Chairman, Air. Townley. He would first of all congratulate the Union Company upon their progressive policy, and the excellence of the accommodation that was provided for passengers. The Union Company had always shown courage and readiness to- anticipate trade and to be ahead in providing for the needs of tlie future. He would advise the Harbor Board to follow in the policy of the Union Company, -and to anticipate the needs o-f the district. “Give us a free and open river, sir,” said Air. deLautour, “a river with from 13ft to 14ft of water, and while the optimists might anticipate greater works for future years, let- the Board supply -the present needs at least. An open river is needed at all times 'and in all weathers, and: the Harbor Board will, if well advised, drink in some of the determination and success of tlie Union S.S'. Company.” .(Applause.) Continuing, Mr. deLautour said that if the Board went in 'for efficient appliances suck a -depth of water could be got, land that "would mean a depth of 20ft at full tide. The B-oard had done excellent work in the p-a-st, hut there was still much to do in the future, -and good work could bo done to deepen the river if only the engineering difficulties could he got over. (Applause.) , ~ . Air. Townley, an. reply, said he agreed wiith Mr. deLautour that the Harbor Board should at least provide all the requirements for the present, and he was satisfied that the layer could be deepened to a channel of 20 feet. With that depth fairly large steamers could oome alongside the wharf. However, harbor building was a- difficult problem, and unforeseen difficulties were always arising. The Board was at present considering the practicability o-f -constructing a harbor with a depth of 40 feet, hutit was very problematical if they would be able to- obtain it without a “range.” He was afraid that the day when such' a work would be undertaken- was a long w-ay ofL and the Board should in the gieantijp im-

prove tlie river channel. The river had been improved, and could be still further improved. Mr. J. Blair proposed tlie health of the -ivssaitects, Messrs Wilson and Lilley, and the principal contractor, Air. G'. Smith, and said that the excellence of the design and construction of the building were most creditable to the gentlemen who had carried out the work.

Air. F. Wilson, jin*., and Mr. G. Smith suitably replied. Mr. A. F. Kennedy proposed the “Press,” and in paying a tribute of praise to the two journals published in Gisborne stated, as an illustration of the benefit of ah efficient cable system, that he had received word from London that at the wool sales held there on Tuesday that there had bectl a rise in, values of from 10 to 15 per cent on Juno quotations. Messrs A. L. Muir (Editor of tlie “Herald”) -and T. Clark&on (Editor of the “Times”) responded. Air. J. W. Bright proposed the health of Captain Newton and tho officers of the Manuka. Tlie toast was most enthusiastically honored. Captain Newton, in reply, thanked the company for the way they had honored his officers and himself. The Union Company was now trading on tlie East Coast with largo steamers, and he had called at Gisborne, as an officer and commander, in all 117 times, and had never seen a passenger or a toil of cargo carried on. Ho counselled the Harbor Board, if tho construction of an outer harbor wa s undertaken, not to make tlie mistake of the Lyttelton Board and construct one too small for future purposes. At the anchorage 40 feet of water was always available, and that Was sufficient for tlie largest steamers trading with New Zealand. Tho Mayor proposed the- health of Air. Preston, and spoke dii eulogistic terms of his courtesy to the public •and the passengers by the steamers of the company. k

Air. Preston, in -reply, said that ho only tried to do his duty in the interests of the company and tlie passengers. With reference to pr-ovi-d-*-mg an increased service on the East Co-ast, it was necessary that tlie Union Company should watch how the Alain Trunk railway would affect tlie steamer passenger traffic, and, personally, he was inclined to think the line Voukl have a- big influence on sea travel between Napier and Auckland. The question would l have to be carefully looked into, but those present could rest assured that if the trade warranted an increased service the Union Company would rise to the occasion. (Applause.) Three cheers were then given 'for the chairman, and the party boarded tb© tender for the shore.

THE NEW BUILDINGS. HANDSOME AND COAIAIODIOUS OFFICES. The Union S.S. Company will enter into- tlie occupancy of their new premises to-morrow. The building is a handsome brick edifice two storeys high with cement facings. Tlie main office is 35ft by 23i't, and is fitted with a heavy jarrali counter with rimu panels./ There are double desks for tlie cleiks. and the walls are lined with a rimu dado dull polished. The ceiling is of elegant- design in. Wunderlich metal. The manager’s room is a well-lighted commodious apartment, also fitted in rimu. Tlie ceiling is of Wunderlich metal, and the windows are of “Lux-fer” glass. There are also stationary cupboards, ,a strong room, lavatories, and other conveniences. Entrance to the office- is from a large vestibule with a rain and dust proof door, while a staircase leads to tlie offices upstairs. The portion of tlie building erected for the legal firms of Messrs’ Blair and Saiiisburv and All*. AY. L. Rees are similarly fitted out. Alessns Blair and Sainsburv have- a suite of six rooms, and Air.* Rees one of five rooms, exclusive of store rooms, etc. Tlie office upstairs are well finished, and are gained by a stairway either from the front-“or rear. Tlie whole building is drained direct to the river.