The Traveller.

Southern Cross, Volume 2, Issue 2, 14 April 1894, Page 3

The Traveller.

QUEENSTOWN. A VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS. The beauties of Queenstown and vicinity have been so frequently described that little more need be said on that score. However, with your permission, I "will give you A FEW JOTTINGS on what I saw. When we left the Invercargill railway station the other morning the prospect was not cheering, the weather being dull, raw and wet. Everything looked bleak. A dreary ride brought us to Winton, a thriving little township, with a fair amount of “go ” about it. I noticed several new business places, and one or two in course of construction. A little out of Winton we passed the nurseries owned bv Messrs O’Brien Bros. They appear to be in a thriving Rain coming on, we were barred from seeing the country at its best. Dipton, which was reached in a heavy shower, is a quiet little township, and rejoices in the possession of one “ pub ” and a few dwellings and shops. At Lumsden we had a few minutes at the railway refreshment stall, which iskeptbyMrandMi’S Browne, who also supply you with all kinds of mental pabulum. Business here appears to be fairly brisk. KINGSTON ! What a reb'ef ! Six mortal hours cooped up in a railway carriage doing 87 miles, is no joke. Therefore, it is with a sigh of pleasure that we change from train to boat. The Ben .Lomond is a nice little steamer, and does the distance between Kingston and Queenstown —25 miles—in about 2- hours. The sail up was a very pleasant one. The snow-clad mountains looked magnificent as they towered far into the heavens and glistened under the sunny skjG 'Glasses were brought into requisition to bring into closer view these monarchs of the air. A favourable wind blowing, we sped along the lake, under canvas, in A 1 style. The officers and men on board are courteous and obliging, and are never better pleased than when explaining to the “ new chum ” the many places of interest passed. Snugly nestling, and all but hemmed in by rugged mountains, is QUEENSTOWN. A goodly number of the inhabitants iurn out to see us arrive, which, no doubt is an event in that picturesque little town. Of course the hotels, &c., are alive to business, and the porters lose no time in button-holing the passengers. Our party made for Mcßride’s hotel, whose genial hostess is most favourably known far and wide. Everybody is made to feel at home under her rooftree. We arrived at our destination in the afternoon, and as it wanted a few hours to dinner, we took a short tour round the town, to see the “lions,"’ and, if possible, light on an oyster saloon. We, however, were disappointed as regards oysters, though we did spy an unpretentious-looking edifice with the sign—“Sami. Bone, fishmonger,” but Sam had evidently relinquished business in that line at the time of our visit. No doubt Queenstown folk are satisfied with their trout, which are in abundance, and are certainly a great treat. MOKE LIGHT. It is noticeable by a stranger that at night Queenstown is very badly off in the way of light. The lamps are scattered about very sparingly indeed. “Why not have the ELECTRIC LIGHT?” is a question worthy of ccnsideration, seing that it is in Eichaidt’s hotel at the present time. I was given to understand that a very favourable offer was made in this connection, but fell through. At anyrate it would add considerably to the appearance of the town, and make things more comfortable'for pedestrians.

“ HOW HO THEY LIVE ?” I was not surprised to find the Salvation Army battling away here, but -when noticing their extremely small following wondered how thev managed to exist. The Army, however, from General Booth downwards, is noted for its strategy, and a small trifle does not trouble them—they surmount it. In Queenstown, I was told, they make it a rule never to give change when selling War Crys ! And thus they “ live.” THE TOWN. Queenstown can boast of several very good buildings, in' the front rank, of course, being- Eichardt’s hotel. On the other hand, there are several which have . served their day and generation, and appear to be useless, and certainly do not add to the appearance of the place. It is not very likely that they will be devoured by the fire fiend, as conflagrations are but rare, and when one does occur it is speedily extinguished by the brigade, the first man on the scene being captain. BUSINESS PLACES, Among other shops, I noticed that of Mr J. J. Mcßride, of the Jubilee Stores, who has a large building stocked with almost everything—to use the time-honoured phrase—from a needle to an anchor, certainly just the kind of business wanted in a mining town. Mr J. W. Gardiner, who annually publishes a handy tourist guide, also seems to be driving a good trade, and if energy goes for anything, he will succeed. Here views of the lake scenery can be had, and those in search of reliable information will be certain to obtain it, as I found Mr Gardiner only too happy to supply all possible information. Those who like shooting can also get an outfit. The pea-rifle is in great request for rabbit-shooting. Another large store is that of Mr M. J. Mai la,gh an, who keeps a large and well-assorted stock of general merchandise. In Ballarat st., Mr F, T. B. Walker runs a jewellery business, while those wanting a good fitting suit of clothes are well supplied by Mr C. Fraser and Mr A. Mayne. (To be continued.)