Christchurch Proud of its Son.

The Mayor offered Mr. Sterling the congratulations of the city on his elevation to such high office. Christchurch was proud of its son. While there were many big things to be done there were some small things that could be attended to.

Mr. C. P. Agar, president of the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce, said Mr. Sterling had come to Christchurch especially to meet them, and he trusted their guest would be given adequate opportunity to speak to them. The system now reverted to by the railways was the only one that, in his view, could be successful. He had believed the Government had reverted to a wise policy in appointing a general manager and it had been wise in selecting Mr. Sterling for that office. Mr. Sterling had had an opportunity of seeing the railways from the users' point of view. He assured Mr. Sterling he would have the support of the commercial community in his task.