HAPPY SYDNEY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1171, 5 July 1911, Page 10

HAPPY SYDNEY.

ON THE TOP OF THE WAVE. Three weeks spent iu and around Sydney (writes Mr. I l '. W. Haybittle) give? one ample opportunity Id note the prosent wave of prosperity. It is seen in the busy street!;, the crowded hotel?, the packed audiences whether one visits the performances of the Sheffield the magnificent production of "Hamlet" by 11. B. Irving, the musical comedies or last, but not least, tho jlowly picture show; nil is bustle and excitement, and an evidence of Rood times and pleui-l-tudo of .money, llotor-cars, bqth public and private, are. fast replacing horsetraffic and some of the superb and gorgeous private automobiles recall one[s memory tfl Piccadilly and Hyde Park.iiv tho height of the season. New South Wales has experienced its fifth consecutive prosperous year; three is said to be sufficient to place the average squatter in a comfortable position, beyond Ihe "dreams of avarice/ . What does the city land agent say: "With regard to pity property there has been a phenomenal increase in values and good paying propositions are tightly- held; as a nialter of fact, there are many times move buyers than sellers; shop positions on the crowded thoroughfares are simply unobtainable, except at enormous premiums. In reference to investments, Ihe number of inter-Stnto- investors asking for opportunities is really wonderful; most of them coming from Victoria, Queenslaud, and New Zealand. It is also from New Zealand Hint lately racist of our outside inquiries come, for cither investment or purchase of farm and station property, but at the present lime there are more buyers than sellers." Will this last? If so. there is a glorious future for the beautiful city built on the shores of I'ort Jackson. Labour legislation and the domestic servant problem are ns keen burning questions as iu the Dominion, while matters relating to liquor licensing and prohibition are not at the present moment themes of very keen interest, in comparison with the general activity in New Zealand. I had Ihe pleasure of meeting Mr. Hugh •1. Ward, whose recollections of Wellington are still pleasant memories. As the head of J. C. Williamson, Ltd., he is an exceedingly busy man, but found lime lo hove a chat on matters musical and dramatic. Together we attended a dinner given by the Athenaeum Club in honour of Mr. 11. H. Irving. The great actor is a particularly able after-dinner speaker and the occasion was a memorable one. Among (hose present were Messrs. George Kignold, G. S. Titheradge, I'rank dreone, Keginald lioberls, and Hop,' of the ••iiulletiu," all well-known to New Zcalamlers. I had the pleasure r ne f m S - Mr - Irving'* performance of Ifnmlcl," it was a singularly scholarly and impressive rendition aiid olectrihcd the audience by its intensity and force at times, but at times only "could one recognise a slight element of his fathers artistic mannerisms. It is Mr. Ward's intention lo leave no stone unturned by which an arrangement can be made for a short New Zealand season. Ihe people of this colony will certainly be under a debt of gratitude to him, jl' this can be arranged, for I understand Mr. Irving's stay in the colonies is limited to six months. In to ouier attractions for the Dominion, a gorgeously-mounted pantomime entilWl Jack and the Dean Stalk." now in Brisbane, is due in New Zealand in late Julv or early August. The "ihlkan Prince", ,, a musical comedy rominiscent of "The King of Cncloiiia," and "Waltz Dream " is now running successfully at the Theatre lioyal in which several well-known artists appear, including Florence Young Lottie jargent, Olive Godwin, Bert Gilbert Percy, frank Green, and Longford

Jhe weather during the whole of mv stay lias been particularly bright and sunny, niul not on one oec'asiou has the necessary umbrella been brought into rc . cjuisition.