SHIP’S MAST BREAKS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3823, 21 June 1927, Page 71

SHIP’S MAST BREAKS.

WELLINGTON, June 17. An unusual accident occurred on board the American steamer West Calera at the Central wharf shortly before midday. A wooden main topmast snapped off and fell on to the deck, where it broke into a number of pieces. The accident happened when the crew was hoisting into position a wireless aerial that had been lowered on the vessel’s arrival in order that it might not be in the way of the Harbour Board’s cranes while the cargo w -s being worked. The broken mast struck the deck on the port side of No. 4 hatch, between a ventilator and a winch. Had it fallen towards the stern it would certainly have killed some of the waterside workers who were unloading from No. 5 hatch. Tho men who had been working at No. 4 hatch had finished their work, and had left. The mast struck the deck at a spot where a man had been siting drivivng a winch a short time before. The. mast broke off near She lower masthead where the wood had perished. The top mast to hold the aerial was fitted before the steamer sailed foi; Hobart.

The Onehunga Borough Council has received a communication from the Minister of Internal Affairs (the Hon. W. Downie Stewart) stating that for some time past the State Advances Department has not been in a position to entertain applications for loans to local authorities (says the’Auckland Star). The council had applied for a loan of £lO,OOO for the Eurpose of erecting workers’ homes on orough reserves.