CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18145, 20 December 1928, Page 9

CHRISTCHURCH NEWS

(From Out Own Corvfl*ronden».>

CHRISTCHURCH, December 19

THE WEATHER

The weather to-day has been close and warm, with a nor’-iyest sky. There is a probability of a few showers ot rain to-night. TOURIST RETURNS. Mr Arthur Sims, principal of ihe firm of Sims, Cooper and Co., frozen meat exporters, returned to Christchurch to-day, after a lengthy visit to the Oid Country. As an cx-Cancer-biiry and New Zealand representative cricketer, Mr Sans lias always acted as an ambassador for the New' Zealand Cricket Council during his visits tp, England. He does not hold aiiir official position as the representative of the New Zealand Cricket Council, but he has gladly offered his services to the Council and his help has been very greatly appreciated. It- is the intention of the Council to arrange an interview with Mr - Sims at an early date, for the purpose of discussing cricket matters with him. Mi Sims has been a keen cricketer all liis life. He played for New Zealand against Victoria in 1899 and against Australia in 1905, and 1910, and in 1913-14 he brought an Australian team on a tour of New Zealand. It was during this tour that the late Vict or Tr uni per made his famous score of 292 at Lancaster Park.

BYRD EXPEDITION. Mr Richard G. Brophy, second ip command of the Byrd Antarctic Expedition, was in Christchurch to-day. Immediately tho two ships of the expedition had left Dunedin, Mr Brophy put four men in charge of the stores business there, and proceeded to Wellington. While there, he had an .interview with the Prime Minister, and attended the first meeting of Cabinet, to tender his thanks.for all the help they had received from the Government. Mr Brophy stated this morning that tho expedition had received much help in New Zealand and were very grateful for it. “People seem to think we are made of money,” said Mr Brophy. “Although we are having a real struggle to get along, when we ask a price for doing a job, they make some ridiculous quote and it is Lard to convince them that wo can’t pay these prices.” The New York representative of the expedition is still receiving voluntary contributions which have amounted to £IO,OOO sinco the ships left America. Mr Brophy says that Commander Byrd and himself arc very pleased with t* e good start made for the Antarctic from Dunedin, and he thinks that they have been very fertunate in the weather and ice conditions encountered. When the Eleanor Bolling reaches Dunedin again, she will go into dry dock to be fitted with a now propellor, which it is hoped will increase her speed.

It is notable that tho Byrd expedition is the first of its kind to carry a refrigerating plant for holding its meat supply.