ROUND THE WORLD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 458, 27 May 1909, Page 3

ROUND THE WORLD.

NOTES BY A FOXTON RESIDENT. By Tuesday night’s mail we received a budget of notes from Mr P. J. Elennessy, who, accompanied by Miss Hennessy, left Foxton in April last for a tour round the world. We will let Mr Hennessy tell his own tale which should be of interest to our readers: —

Comfortably seated, bowling along at a fair speed in sight of the N.S.W. coast. Just out of Sydney, 1.30 p.m., April 12th, I start to pen these lines. The ship has a slight quiver which makes it rather difficult to write. As it may be interesting reading to prospective travellers, I will, as I proceed on my journey, drop you notes of my experiences. We left Wellington on April and per s.s. Warrimoo and ran into a head wind which kept against us all the way to Sydney. First morning out only xo showed up to breakfast, your scribe sticking to his berth —not at all well. My daughter made one of the minority and never suffered the slightest inconvenience. We had a very uncomfortable trip as the Warrimoo knocked a dent in her port bow, which leaked a good deal on the trip over; the pumps were kept going all the time and the bunker coal was shifted from port to starboard bunker, and this caused the ship to list very considerably. We sighted land on the following Tuesday, at 11 a.m., and got into port at 2.30. On the way over we heard that hotel accommodation would be difficult to obtain, so I took a cab for the Hotel Metropole, only to be disappointed. Was directed to a probable place, with same result, and told that it was impossible to get accommodation on account of it -being show week (the papers sent will tell you of the attendance). After a long tramp I managed to secure only moderate lodgings and as it was a case of “any port in a storm” had to put up with it. Would strongly advise intending visitors to Sydney not to come over during show week without first securing lodgings. Having slept over the worry of lodgings, we started out to “see the sights” of Sydney on Wednesday morning. Our first visit was to the

CENTRAL RAILWAY STATION. It is of an immense size and must cover an area between station and platform of 40 or 50 acres and said to cost ,£1,000,000. Our next visit was to paddy’s market, where all kinds ‘of vegetables and fruit can be obtained first hand from the producer. It was crowded while we were there. Alter lunch we went for one of those lovely trips ON THE HARBOUR, calling at Tonqueville, Mornington, Alexander Street Wharf, Tambourine Street, Ignatius Wharf with its splendid baths, rowing club shed. On the hill, overlooking the cove is a fine college. We finished the journey at Fig Tree Wharf, time, 2 hours ; fare 6d. On Thursday Bth, we started for MANLY COVE. The harbour was animated with ferry boats, running in all directions. From the number of excursionists travelling one would not think there was any scarcity of cash here. All seemed to be enjoying life for all it is worth. Several British men-of-war were observed lying lazily at anchor, a German man-of-war close by, also a Frenchy booming her guns, it is very exciting and enjoyable. One nearly feels wafted into another world. The loveliness of the buildings, and their pleasant situation on the way to Manly is beyond my pencil to describe. Native shrubs growing among the rocks where nestle beautifully designed cottages. Islands dot the harbour here and there covered with shrubbery. The hills do not rise as high as in Wellington, and in most places gradually slope down to the water’s edge. Manly is reached after about a 20 minutes’ run, and as we approach the wharf, crowds are coming to return by our boat to the city. Ferry boats run every half hour. Manly is a very pretty place, it has a sharp sloping beach of soft red grit. Right on the beach, just above high-water mark, are planted Norfolk pines and fig trees (not a fruit-bearing fig tree) which thrivewell. I enquired if they suffered from winds and was informed that they are subject to terrific winds here. All the streets are planted with the same kind of trees which look very pretty. Should advise intending visitors to board at the suburbs, across from the city, as board is cheap and comfortable. The ferry is equal to a tram fare, one to two pence will take you across—time, five minutes. What is very noticeable in Sydney is the CIVILITY OF POLICE, TRAM OFFICIALS. In fact everyone you ask for information (as strangers must always do) goes out of the way to put you right. Sydney is weU provided with parks and they are all well patronised. It seemed strange to see dozens sleeping in them as one goes through. Sydney is far ahead of our cities from a building point-of-view. Some buildings seem to be erected regardless of cost and up to nine storeys high. Everywhere one looks Sydney has the appearance of a great city. Visited the ART GALLERY on Saturday, 10th, a great and expensive building. Anyone having a taste for art would be well repaid for the trouble of visiting this splendid institution. A t.. > ,

BOTANICAL GARDENS

Were next on the list and are beautifully laid out. Went to the TOWN MALI, on Sunday evening and heard Mr Massey give an organ recital. The organ is the second largest in the world, it takes up the whole width and very nearly the height of the hall. The hall is of immense size and it would take an architect to describe its construction. Left Sydney at i p.m., on the 12th. It was a public holiday. So far Sydney has been the sight of my life. . I saw as many as a dozen ferrj r boats leaving the different wharves at one time, and some of the boats would carry 800 to 1000 passengers (three deckers). These boats were loaded with living freights bound for the many coves in the harbour to spend the day picniciug. April 4th arrived

AT BRISBANE

at 2 a.m. Went out at 6 a.m. for a walk to view the river. It is a fine expanse of water. The boat did not go beyond Piukbar wharf, 9 miles from the city. At first sight it reminded me of the Buffer river and the country at first did not look bad, but when we went up to the city my opinion changed. I think all the rain in the world would not make good land of it. So poor must the land be that a good portion along the line to the city is still in its native state, growing bush. In other parts, where the bash has been cleared, one can see young bush coming on again indicating that alter the laud has been cleared it is not worth cultivating. The cattle and sheep would give a New Zealander the horrors to look at. Bracken must have been somewhere near here when he, wrote about “God’s Own Country.” “ Pleasure ground of the Pacific, Brightest region of the Main !

Land of many a rushing river, Verdant valley fertile plain.”

All the houses on the way up looked as if they had not seen our friend Jenks for 50 years! The side stations are miserable arrangements ; railway carriages are worse than those on the Fox ton branch (and this is part of a main line). The city is a city only in name, and except for a few fair buildings in course of erection there does not seem to be any move in the place. I like Sydney but not Brisbane. I need not say it is fine weather here, and a railway porter on the station said they had had no rain for 25 years while he had been there (of course this is a tale !) We left Brisbane for Pinkbar at 2 p.m., and had to leave the latter place on s.s. Marama at 4.30 to wait outside in deep water until midnight for the mails to come aboard. I had no opportunity to enquire into the harbour government of Brisbane. The shipping is very limited. Should population ever call lor a port, Brisbane can be made a good one.

April 15th. —Head and legs very fair this morning. Squally breeze with light rain from N.K. by E., the direction we are going. Did justice to bi)l-o’-fare this morning and all our fellow passengers except a few did the same. Menu is very fair and plenty of it, attendance very good. Tea and biscuits 6.15 a.m. in berth, breakfast 7,45 a.m., beef tea and toast 10 a.m., dinner 12.30 p.m., afternoon tea 3.30 p.m., tea 5.30 p.m., biscuits and cheese or sandwiches 9 p.m. Yo u can have Iruit anytime by asking for it. April 19th.—Have not taken a pencil up since the 15th inst., on which date I fell a victim to sea sickness. Met with strong head winds all the way FROM BRISBANE TO SUVA which latter place we reached at 9 last night. Got to wharf at 5.30 this morning. The wharf is close to the town. Suva is a very pretty place and every kind of foliage“ is intensly green and the growth luxurious. The natives are a sight in themselves and if I could only hang on to my hair as the Fijian natives do, I should not worry about getting bald. They have the finest heads of hair that I have ever seen. Suva, from a town point of view, is very poor. Would have liked to have seen moTe of the surroundings, but time would not allow, as we had to leave for Honolulu at noon and now at 2.30 Fiji is well abaft of us. Our ship is so full now after taking in Fiji contingent that the dining room cannot accommodate all at once, and, therefore, there are two sittings. It is a nice break in the monotony of the sea journey passing the several islands comprising the Fiji group. Before quitting Fiji I should like to say that an enjoyable holiday of two or three weeks could be pleasantly spent there. April 21st. All are now settling down to sea travelling. A look at the tables would lead one to be lieve that sea-sickness has passed for this trip. Light breeze and calm sea. There was a meeting of second saloon passengers last night, who formed a committee to conduct sports, balls, card parties, deck quoits, deck billiards, etc. April 20th.—Fine day ; had various games on board and sports. At night a heavy thunder storm came on, and heavy rain followed. The tropics are trying, but not as bad as I expected. It is very close, almost unbearable in the berths —sleep on deck under the awnings. The ship has covered 349 miles. April 21. —Heavy rains, weather very close ; sea very calm. (I should have mentioned before that we have a large number of Press representatives on board, on their way to London to attend a Press Conference.) Had a real good euchre party at night, and every-

body enjoyed themselves, notwithstanding the vivid lightning and heavy rain. April 22nd.—-Very fine morning ; passed the Mary Islands at 9.30 a.m. We passed close enough to see the cocoanut trees. Great interest is manifestd by all on board in any of the Islands that are passed. These (the Mary Is: lauds) are only a little above sea level, but they look very pretty, in fact any vegetation in the tropics appears so, on account of the intensity of the very deep green foliage. The sea is as calm as a lake. At 2.15 p.m. we passed Birnie Island —a coral reef without any vegetation. At 5 p.m., passed Euderby Island, At night passengers are taking a last look (until the return to Southern climes) at the Southern Cross, as we are booked to cross the line at 5 a.m. April 23rd.— Very fine morning, nice breeze ; no inconvenience from tropics. We are now in the Northern Hemisphere, and are doing an average of 350 miles a day. Except for a little quivtfr from the motion of the propeller, one would not realise that we are on board ship. Talk about leaving business cares behind ? What can you do here in mid-ocean, close on 4000 miles away from letter or telegram communication ? Why, one forgets that there ever was such a worry as business ! You want to be in the position before you can realise it. April 24th—Rather breezy, and sea choppy. Some vacant chairs at breakfast. Apart from the few sick, everyone else are enjoying themselves on deck. More sport here than on land. The flying fish are plentiful here. Sunday morning religious services are held in the first and second saloon. We have a good contingent of Mormons for Salt Lake City. 25th. —Nothing startling.