Volume One - Into the Victorian Age - The official opening of the docks . . .

In many ways the Fire King was to us a beneficent genius ; all classes and ranks were his debtor for many comforts which they could not have received without him. Hence they would heartily join in drinking prosperity to that interest. - (Cheers.)

Mr. Andrew Brogden replied at some length, and concluded by proposing; "the Shipping Interest." After giving statistics showing the extent and magnitude of the railway interest, he showed how it and the shipping interest were mutually dependent. As for this dock, he said it would add lustre to the name of Mr. Hawkshaw, which was already known all over the world. Great provision had been made for the quick despatch of shipping - he had never in any other dock seen such facilities for speedily loading, and the owners might be sure that when once the shippers had had experience of the great facilities offered by this dock they would welcome it and keep it supplied with traffic.

Mr. Sydney Batchelor was called for, and made a brief reply.

The next toast. "The Engineers of the Penarth Company," was briefly acknowledged by Mr. Hawkshaw and Mr. Dobson.

The Hon. Mr. Herbert gave "The Mayor and Corporation of Cardiff." In doing so he eulogised the energy of the British character, as evidenced in the carrying out great works like that of the Penarth Company. In other nations the people, if they desired works to be constructed, would look to their Government to carry them out, instead of relying on individual enterprise. It is our ancient habit of local self-government, our free and independent municipalities, which created and fostered this spirit of self-reliance, the evidence of which was seen in these gigantic engineering works. In view of this fact we could not on any occasion more appropriately than now drink the health of the Cardiff Corporation, congratulating its members that their town was expanding its boundaries, while sending its exports more widely than ever throughout the world.

Mr. Alderman David briefly acknowledged the compliment, disclaiming on the part of Cardiff any jealous feeling toward Penarth.

Mr. Alderman Watkins followed, saying that as Vice-Consul for Norway and Sweden, he was in a position to know that the dock accommodation of Cardiff had been insufficient, and that trade had been diverted from the port from that cause. The Corporation of Cardiff, therefore, regretted the defeat of the Bute Dock bills. this dock at Penarth had such advantages in its modern appliances and in the fact that its shareholders being themselves large exporters of minerals, that there was no doubt it would always have an abundance of traffic.