SYDNEY'S BOOM TIME.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 6 October 1911, Page 6

SYDNEY'S BOOM TIME.

ASTONISHING CHANGE. HOW IT STRIKES THE VISITOR. Writing under date September 27 a New Zealandor in Sydney writes as follows:— Sydney is in a swirl of prosperity. Even those who visited the place a couple of years ago cannot avoid being struck with the strides with which tho city is nioving ahead. Tho City Council is actively engaged on a scheme which means the ■ wiping off tho city plan of great blocks of ancient time-soiled buildings. Oxford Street is undergoing a metamorphosis. Such was tho congestion in this groat artery. to the eastern suburbs that a great slice has been carved off the one side, and as fast us the buildings are being destroyed new ones are leaping skyward, in their places. In some cases the new buildings are in course of erection oa the new street line before the front premises are out of occupation. A new artery is being made from tho western corner of Hyde Park clean through old blocks of undesirable buildings down to tlie Hcdfem railway station, opening up an easy access to that congested centre. Everywhere- big blocks of brick buildings three stories in height arc being torn down to make way for others seven and eight stories in height Water Front Changes. On the harbour front tho 6amo activity is noticeable an the part of the Harbour Trust, which is doing wonders in cleaning up and improving the water front in Darli:ig Harbour. At Dawe's Point heavywork is being done to make that portion of tho harbour trout available for the P. and 0. and Orient liners, which axe to bo berthed away from Circular Quay, and at the lath.-r point extended accommodation is to be ii.ade for tho ferry companies. Subways and bridges across the harbour (from Dawe's Point to A'orth Shore) aro being discussed, with, a certitude that action will follow—must follow.

Tho traffic in tho streets is, terrific. There aro blocks every half-hour in Susses, Kent, and Clarence Streets—the home of the warehouses and big manufacturers. On all sides, in fact, there is evidence, that Sydney is on an up wave which must, with a few years of present progress, land it among the foremost ports and cities. Soaring Renis and Values. Of course the boom has meant the raising of rents everywhere, and tho raising of values in the city and suburbs. The sky-scraper is coming. Looking over from the Domain yesterday I inquired tho name of a seven-story building which rose high above its fellows in M'Lcay Street (Pott's Point). I was informed that it was 'flats"—each of wJiicli was bringing in from .6250 to a year unfurnished. Ouo may now ride iu a tramcar from Mossman's to Manly—a big journey over rather difficult country on tho north side of tho harbour, and, all along tho route great colonies of Marseilles tiled residences havo sprung into being during the last eighteen months. New Streets furrow the lull-sides in every direction, and along the water-front palatial residences, built and being built, give one an idea what the immensity of this city promises to bo. The Influx for the A.J.C. Races. At present Sydney is en fete. Hundreds ot people who arrived yesterday could not find accommodation in the citv hotels owing to tho inrush of visitors who are in for the A.J.C. spring meeting! borne ot those who arrived from Wellington by the Moana became so sick of the search for lodgings in congested hotels that they contemplated buying a tout and pitching it in Moore Park until the raco crowd shall have vanished. Melba Not Coming Here. The Melba Opera Company is another mg attraction. The queue commences to form up about 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and by 7.-15 p.m., when Angelinas peerless orchestra of 50 performers begins, there is not even standing room. Unfortunately, Melba has been stricken down. Her manager, Mr. John Lommone, told me yesterday that Madamo had contracted influenza, and instead of takinp a rest she had struggled on with the performances until, on Tuesday bronchitis set in. She is now out of the bill definitely for a week. . By tho way, tho report that the diva is to make a concert tour of New Zealand at tho close of tho opera season is incorrect. Mr. Lemmono states that there is not to be a concert tour, as Madame has made definite arrangements to appear at Covent Garden next season Tho other theatrical attractions are particularly strong. Miss Ethel Irving is charming big audiences at tho Criterion Theatre; tho riimmcr-Denniston Company havo made an emphatic hit in a charming play, entitled "Nobodv'-; Daughter," nt the Palace, and "A Waltz Dream" is being revived at tho KovaP where "Tho Speckled Band" is lo" be produced on Saturday evening next. A big attraction for the sporting world is the M'Vca-LcstiT fight, wliich happens on Saturday. The result is a foregone conclusion, as M'Voa is considered' tho next best man to Johnson now in tho ring, -and Lester is something of a tvro, but a young giant for all that, who is tho nearest approach to a pale-face "hope" on this side.