THE COOKS IN AUSTRALASIA.

Kumara Times, Issue 1000, 13 December 1879, Page 2

THE COOKS IN AUSTRALASIA.

Referring to Messrs Cook and Son’s intention of including Australia in their circular tours round the world, the South Australian Advertiser says that there can be no doubt that it is a .very good idea so far as the Melbourne Exhibition is concerned. The agencies of the well-known firm, which have been established in the principal cities of England, the Continent and America, and even in various parts of Asia, will prove most effective channels for advertising the Exhibition, while the travelling facilities which Messrs Cook offer their constituents are very considerable. Their tourist business, commenced in a very small way about 30 years ago, has grown into an immense institution; and the money turned over by the firm every year is said to amount to many millions sterling. The prejudices which were at first entertained against the system, and probably with good reason, have ceased to exist, as the arrangements have become more and more perfect; and the lists of persons who travel with Messrs Cook’s tickets at the present day includes people of all ranks, from the Emperor of Brazil, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the hoo, W. E. Gladstone, and Sir Garnet Wolseley downwards. Next year, of course, Melbourne will be duly landed as the chief shrine for pilgrims; but Messrs Cook and Son’s operations will extend to other parts of Australia as the circular tickets issued in London for the Victorian Exhibition will embrace tours in one or more of the neighbouring colonies, including New Zealand and Tasmania. To ensure a large clientele Mr Smythe, as manager of the Australian business, will doubtless deem it advisable to see that the public of Europe and America are well posted up as to the charming and varied attractions which Australasia has to offer to the tourist; and in his negotiations with the different Colonial Governments, steamship companies and other public bodies, we trust he will obtain similar concessions and facilities to those which have been granted to his prirl cipals both in the Old and thn New World.