Councillor Henry Rishton Walker, Member of the New Brighton Borough Council, is a native of Oldham, England. He was educated at King William's College, Castletown, Isle of Man, and afterwards apprenticed to the engineering trade at the Barrow engineering works. In 1885 he left England for New Zealand, and since 1893 has been a resident of New Brighton, where he has taken a very active interest in the progress of the district, and was elected to the Borough Council in 1901. Mr. Walker has recently introduced an efficient motor ferry service between New Brighton and Sumner, which adds to the attractions of these favourite seaside resorts. The twin screw launch “Tuariki,” which makes a number of trips during the day, has ample accommodation for sixty passengers. As the route taken is down the river Avon and across the Sumner estuary, a smooth passage is always assured. The launch is strongly built on modern lines. She is constructed entirely of kauri, and has a speed of nine miles an hour. Her dimensions are 40 feet in length, and 10 feet beam. She is fitted up with twin engines of eight-horse power each, and of the Sintz double cylinder two-cycle make. The journey between New Brighton and Sumner occupies three-quarters of an hour, and the trip is truly a pleasure one. During the summer, evening excursions are run at intervals. Mr. Walker's private residence is situated near the river wharf, and beside it there is a very fine engineering workshop, where any repairs can be easily effected. A large stable, which is constructed on the most modern and sanitary lines, is another feature of Mr. Walker's premises.