CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

Greymouth Evening Star, 6 December 1928, Page 10

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

RAPAKI’S RECORD LIFT

(Special to "Star.”)

CHRISTCHURCH, December 5

“We in Lyttelton are proud of the -craneship Rapaki’s record lift of 48£ ■tons. That has done more to make and 'advertise Lyttelton as a. first-class port than anything else,” declared Mr M. J. Miller, at the meeting of the Lyttelton Harbour Board to-day. The matter was referred to in the report of the Engineer, which stated that since last meeting the work done by the crane included the lifting of three electric locomotives, weighing 481 tons each, from the s.s. Hertford. These appeared to constitute the heaviest lifts made from a ship to date in a, New Zealand port. The engines, which were fully assembled on their own wheels, were landed on the rails on No. 7 Jetty.

“This month, the Rapaki will be 'showing a good dividend,” stated the secretary, in explaining that the heavy lifts brought in £lO6 3/9 in revenue. On the preceding day, the Rapaki drew nine tons from a vessel, representing a. revenue of £l5. MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS. Interest in the municipal elections, to be field oil the’firslt'Wednesday in May next, is being stimulated by the decision of the North Canterbury Labour Representation Committee to call 'for nominations from affiliated organ! sations as candidates for various positions. As the elections will he held under the proportional representation system of voting, it is probable that the Labour Party will not nominate more than twelve candidates for the sixteen seats on the City Council, and that it will not run full tickets for the. Hospital Board and Harbour Board. At present there are eleven Labour councillors, in addition to the Mayor, who is also a Labour nominee. It is expected that all the sitting memzbers will seek re-election, with the exception of Mr Clyde Carr, M.P., who ’will shortly take up his residence in Timaru. Mr G. R. Hunter, who resigned from the Council some months hgo, may also be nominated at the 'next election.

■ Two of the five Citizens’ Association 'councillors, Mrs A. E. Herbert and Mr A. W. Beaver, may not seek re-elec-tion.

There is a possibility that either Messrs E. H. Andrews or J. W. Beanland will contest the Mayoralty next year. Therefore, if the Association decides to nominate twelve candidates for the Council, it will have to run almost the next ticket. It is considered probable that the question of contesting the municipal elections will be discussed at a meeting of the general committee of the Association, to be held on Friday evening. THE SOUTHERN CROSS.

Mr T. H. McWilliams, who came to New Zealand as the radio operator in the Southern Cross on its historical and memorable trip across the Tasman Sea, is visiting Christchurch again. He is staying at the United Service Hotel. McWilliams informed a reporter to-day that he is on holiday. Part of it will be spent in the country in Canterbury, and part in the North Island. “I do not know what is doing in I'respect to the departure of the Southfern Cross from Australia,” he said. “I am waiting for cabled instructions, and as soon as I receive them I shall return to Sydney. I do not expect 'to stay in New Zealand more than a Tew days.”