A TRIP TO LONDON.

Gisborne Times, Volume VIII, Issue 493, 4 August 1902, Page 4

A TRIP TO LONDON.

(J3v A.D.C.) AT ADELAIDE. No. 11. Our next port of call was Adelaide, which place was reached after a run of about a day and a half. Ic was here that the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth (Sir E. Barton) with Mrs and Miss Barton and Sir John Forrest, the Minister of Defence in the Federal Parliament, together with Lady Forrest, joined the Home bound for the Coronation festivities. Sir Henry Lawley, the Governor of the State of Western Australia, also joined the

steamer here, but only proceeded as far as Fremantle. The weather was not particularly fine while the steamer was anchored in Largs Bay, and as Commander Street was of opinion that there would be some ditlieulty in returning to the boat, he advised passengers not to venture on shore. His advice, however, was disregarded by some of the more venturesome passengers —result, a good wetting. At all events Adelaide is so well known that no description of the city is necessary. CALL AT FI!E MANTLE. Weighing anchor at six o’clock in the evening, wo steamed out of Largs Bay, the sea having calmed down very considerably, and everything pointed to our experiencing a very pleasant run of four days across the Great Australian Bight to Fremantle. As a rule the trip across the Bight is not looked forward to with pleasure by travellers, but I must say that our run w’as exceptionally calm. We of course experienced a good deal of rolling at times, but that, as I have already pointed out, was the Home’s chief characteristic. At F’remantle, before going on shore, Sir Henryjhawley addressed a few words to the Commonwealth Contingent. The men were paraded on tho hurricane dock. He told them that they were a fine body of men, and at the same time wished them God speed and a safe return. It:

conversation afterwards with a member of the contingent, I was informed that tho men were getting tired of being told they were a fine body of men. As each unit of the contingent left its particular State they were told the same story, and again at each subsequent port they called at, until at last they began to think that they were in reality actual perfection. The men are without doubt a very fine lot and are a credit to Australia. Before the steamer reached tho wharf a number of tho chief men of Perth and Fremantle came off in a launch to welcome Mr Barton and Sir John Forrest, tho latter, as is well known, being their late Premier. On the wharf there was also assembled a large number of people awaiting tho arrival of tho two politicians, as well as the Governor i of tho Stato. After tho steamer was , berthed a guard of honor was formed at tho gangway by members of tho contingent, when Sir Henry Lawley, Mr Barton, . and Sir John Forrest left the steamer, together with their numerous friends, and proceeded by special train to Perth, where a final send-off was given to Mr Barton in the form of a banquet. Tho banq let over, the party returned to Fremantle by special train. Mr Barton and Sir John Forrest were asked to address a meeting at Fremantle by Sir Edward Wittenoom, the late Agent-General for Western Australia, who is strongly advocating the Trans-Continental railway—that is the i proposed railway from Ivalgoorlie to Port Augusta. This they promised to do at 1 10.110 p.m., but they did not arrive at tho ■ meeting until 11.30. Strange to say at 3 that very late hour a most enthusiastic ’ meeting was hold. I understand that tho J real object of tho mooting was to urge 4 upon Mr Barton the importance of having the line constructed. Ho told the mooting j that ho was favorably disposed towards it, . and that he intonded to have tho matter looked into by a committee of exports. 1 When the party returned to tho steamer at 1 a.ru., I was much surprised at tho 1 absence of enthusiasm towards Barton of • tho crowd who had assembled on tho wharf to .witness tho departure. AVhen 3 ho made his appearanco and walked up the gangway, not a sound was heard. Just imagino our Mr rieddon being allowed to depart in such a quiet manner! With i Sir John Forrest, however, tho case was • very diil'orent. He was cheered vociferously, and duly acknowledged the compliment by raising Ins hat and graciously e bowing. Of courso Sir John is very popui lar in Western Australia, for which State i ho has done so much. He is popularly - called “ The Emperor of the West’’and “ King of Fremantle,” Unfortunately we did not arrive at Fremantle until 6.30 in the evening, so that by the timo we got on shore it was dark, and consequently one

could only get a very hazy idea of whai Perth and Frcmantlo were like. Fro-

mantle is tho port of Perth, and has a population of about 16,000. It has one fairly large business street. Perth is 12 miles from its port. The capital appeared to me to be a very lovel place and well laid out, aud contains some very fine buildings. Large crowds were promenading the principal streets, and tho place generally seemed lively. Whether that was tho normal condition of the place, or whether thero were a greater number of people about owing to the return of tho Governor, or on account of tho visit of Mr Barton and Sir John Forrest, I cannot say. The city also has an up-to-date olectrie tramway system. ENJOYING THE VOYAGE. After leaving Frcmantlo tho passengers began to settle down into that happy family stato which is so characteristic amongst passengers when travelling long sea voyages, and they made up their minds to make the time pass as pleasantly as possible. Almost immediately a sports committee and a musical committee were formed. A certain writer has stated that

there arc only six occupations that can be indulged in by thoso who travel by sea, namely—(l) to eat, (2) to drink, (3) sleep, (4) dirt, (5) quarrel or grumble, and (6) smolse. No doubt this list contains the ordinary routine of life on ship board, but I hope my readers will not think that I indulged in number four. The committees, however, very soon set to work to vary the aforementioned list, and right royally did they succeed. Tournaments and competitions of all descriptions, together with debates and concerts, were arranged and carried out in first-class style, Most amusing notices were sometimes put up in connection with events to come oil. The following is a good specimen of these : —“ Chalking the pig’s eye !! This afternoon on tho well-deck. Starboard inside, 3.80 p.m. Entrance fees paid on the courso. Chalk provided by the committee.” A pig without an eye was drawn on the deck, and the object was to put its eye in. Of course tho person making tho attempt was blind-folded, and had to approach the pig from a distance of 10 yards. There were large entries for the event, which caused considerable merriment. It was competitions such as these which kept tho passengers in good humour. Perhaps the most interesting debate of the scries held was that on the question, “ Should tho franchise be extended to women.” I use the word

“ interesting ” because it was exceedingly so to a New Zealander to hear Australians give their views on a subject which the New Zealand Parliament hod disposed of years ago. Mr Chapman, the Government whip, and Mr Cruickshank, both of tho Federal Parliament, as well a 3 other

well-known Australians, took part. One or two New Zealanders also spoke. The division showed that the Australians were not in favor of extending the franchise—the result was 52 to 19. During tho debate it was very amusing to hear a speaker refer to the fact that a iady mayor had been elected at a place called Onkaparinga, iu New Zealand. That speaker was corrected iu bis statement by another speaker who said that it was at a place called One(l)bunga where the lady mayor had been elected. The place referred to by the first speaker is iu South Australia, (To be continued.)