THE JAPANESE SQUADRON.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2052, 12 April 1907, Page 1

THE JAPANESE SQUADRON.

From a shopkeeper’s and ware-

the Japanese training squadron to Wellington has been a profitable one in more ways than one, on a rough calculation, the sons of Nippon have left behind them close on £IOOO, as the result of their five days’ exploitation of the town establishments. The visitors made a raid on an extensive scale on rugs and blankets of colonial manufacture, while white kid gloves, flannel and serge of the host quality were in strong demand. The purchasers were delighted with the quality of the material used in the manufacture of the rugs and blankets, and it is quite on the cards that on the strength of their representations orders will bo placed by Japanese firms for fresh supplies. Discussing tin's aspect of the question with a Japanese officer, the Star representative gleaned that there was a good market awaiting New Zealand made articles of the class mentioned; and it only required a little push on tile part of the colonial manufacturers to bring their goods to tile front. Anyway, the visit of his countrymen to 'Wellington would, he said, make it plainer sailing for colonial manufacturers, should they make up their minds to try their luck. Pictorial postcards

of New Zealand scenery have also been purchased by the hundreds by tiie little brown men; one stationery firm alone getting rid of close on VlO worth in a single day. The visitors were delighted with their -tay in Wellington, and all. without reservation,. expressed regret at its termination. They were sorry at not being

given the opportunity, to visit Auckland and tiie hot lakes, of whose attractions tl'.cv had seemingly been made acquainted with, per medium of tourists from other parts of the world. “When tiie next Japanese squadron comes to New Zealand waters, you can depend upon it,” said an officer, '(Auckland will lie in-

cluded in its ports of call. Had 't been possible to divert froni_tho sailing plans mapped out for the squadron, Yiuo-Ailniii-.nl Tomoikn and a party of his officers would have certainly paid n short visit to the Rotorua "Wonderland.”