CANBERRA CITY

Hokitika Guardian, 19 February 1927, Page 4

CANBERRA CITY

The population of Canberra consists largely of inter-state people. It is estimated thal already there are over 100 Tasmanians there, while Melbourne is represented at every turn. There are a good many Sydney folk, hilt their numbers are negligible; Sydney " ill possibly Use Canberra as a tourist resort. it is slightly over 200 miles by read from Sydney. The visitor is struck with the splendid class of buildings to he seen on all sides, and gives a gasp of amazement when told that the niaguilicent House of Parliament is regarded as a temporarv structure. As a matter of fact, the foundation-stone for the permanent building was laid by the Prince ol Wales on another site. The stone is cm lused with an iron nailing, hut one wonders how many centuries will elapse before it is added to. A stranger is bewildered at the layout of the city, and at first is dispose'! to iuiugh at the idea of compelling ail blinking institutions' to build promises at what is called “civic centre,” while all the business people who "ill use the hanks are over at Fast Lake or Manuka, quite a considerable distance away. In fact, a lake will intervene—for the low-lying land between is to ho converted into a beautiful lake as soon as the necessary dam is constructed, it "'Hi lie a delightful place, on similar lines, no doubt to Lake AVendourco, of Rallarat. Meanwhile, traffic is carried across on two bridges, with embankments. Kasjtlake centre, where the. slops are, is so called because a •st-oiid lake, on the eastern side of it, is to lie constructed. It is even said that two other lakes, in addition to

tlx so mentioned, are to lie provided. Tho city folk will thus have ample space for rowing, sailing, and possibly swimming, not to mention fishing.

.Means of locomotion about the city at present consists of large numbers of private motors, and also a line of motor ’buses recently purchased in Sydney. They odor cheap and easy travel, and, no doubt, will lie added to as traffic

Amongst the new buildings now being erected are several hostels, and guest houses. Perhaps tho most attractive, when finished, will he the one at Acton, on the western side of the city, where the ground rises into a fairly large hill on the summit of which the area Commissioners arc located. The view from here is delightful. But perhaps the great jov of Canberra, to the ladies at all events, are the gardens. One can see that expert landscape gardeners have been at work in many places. Parliament House grounds are extensile, and have been admirably laid out with flowers and shrubs. Just at present roses in full bloom meet the eye on all sides. There is a wonderful assortment of them in front of the Canberra Hostel. But the visitors is told that he should have been there in October, when 82,000 tulips were in flower in front of the hostel, or July, when the daffodils ran riot. Canberra is already a most attractive city, and cannot fail to become more and more so as population increases.