HOME AGAIN!

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 33, 3 February 1912, Page 5

HOME AGAIN!

THE AUSTRALIAN TRIP OF MR. J. AV. BOON. SOME IMPRESSIONS. Mr. and Mis. Jos. Boon arrived in Stratford last night from a month’s holiday in Australia. They made the trip in company with Mr. and Mrs. Robert Masters, but the new mcmber of the Taranaki Education Board and his wife, broke the journey at Christchurch and went across by coach to the West Coast.

Been this morning by a representative of the “Stratford Evening Post,” Mr. Boon said that they had a splendid holiday. Their first glimpse of Sydney town had been obtained in a temperature of 107 in the shade. However, the heat wave lasted only a few hours, and a big thunderstorm coming on and clearing the atmosphere, they were enabled to gather their impressions of the New South Wales capital under congenial circumstances. Traffic Congestion. “What struck me most about Sydney,” said Mr. Boon, “was tlic immense traffic in the narrow streets. The police control was marvellous. On one side of the street you would see a stream of carriers’ carts coming from the wharves, and on the otner side another stream going for their loads. When one stops the whole lot have to stop. The traffic presents a great problem, and is being dealt with by the Council at the present time. On the other hand, Melbourne, with its wide streets and roomy footpaths, appeared in strong contrast. In some ot the thoroughfares there was room for three carts to drive abreast on either side of a double tramway track.” The Waste Spaces. Mr. Booh was much impressed by the manner in which both the people of Sydney and Melbourne have striven to make their cities ..beautiful. Every patch of waste ground, no matter how small, is made pleasing to the eye. Well-kept little llower gardens, or pleasing shrubberies, are dotted everywhere throughout these cities. It was ndticeable how the railways had made their lines as attractive as possible. From the manner in which he spoke, any proposal to form a Beautifying Society in Stratford, would find in Mr. Boon an enthusiastic supporter. Suavic in Distress.

In crossing over to /Tasmania the four Stradfordites had the good fortune to witness the sight of a dig liner on fire in mid-ocean. The ill-fated Suevic, of. the White Star Line, was pouring forth volumes of thick, heavy smoke, when they saw it. The Suevic Imd communicated with Melbourne by wireless, and tugs had come to her assistance, and wore pumping water into the mass of burning cargo. Tasmania’s Industry.

Motoring the 120 miles from Launceston to Hobart, along a beautifully smooth and level road, the party cssayed a trip up th. 6 l)erwent ItivGi, from whose water can best be seen the industry that is making Tasmania. “When I heard,” said Mr. Boon, “that five thousand tons of pulped raspberries and currants were be.ng exported this season, it staggered me. For these fruits are only a small part of the industry.” On either side of the river all the flat places are icovqib ed with hops, apple orchards, and fruit gardens in general, The hills appeared to be very poor country indeed, and were not. cultivated. Altogether they went some twenty miles Sp the river, and the trip was one or ae most enjoyable features of thenholiday. Wellington v. Egmont. At Hobart the great tourist attraction is Mt. Wellington, 4500 ft in height. Coaches and motor-cars run up to a certain distance, and the rest is left for the climbers. It is considered a great outing, and there are always numbers of people making the trip. To Mr. Boon, who had memories of Mt. Lgmont, the which consisted solely of bluegums, appeared rather tame after the luxurious bush on tho lower slopes of oiir own mountain. Still, he was greatly struck with quality of the accommodation at the hotel there. They paid two shillings for a meal, whose quality ahd service was in keeping with the best ox any of our New Zealand hotels. Official Courtesy. “Mr. Masters and I,” said Mr. Boon, “both agree that the outstanding feature of our holiday has been the courtesy which we have been shown by officials. One has only to mention on the other side that one is a stranger and in a few minutes one is informed of all the attractions, and the way to get to them. The railway officials especially were most obliging In the tourist bureaux we were given detailed information and everything possible was done to ensure that we saw the best spots available in the time at our disposal.”