ON THE OTHER SIDE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 38, 8 October 1912, Page 5

ON THE OTHER SIDE.

A LOCAL BUSINESS MAN’S

HOLIDAY. A gentleman whose mental equilibrium has been rendered unstable of late owing to bis fruitless search for those two fine days which are said to have occurred last month, was heard to remark this morning that the reason why local residents took their annual, biennial, or triennial holiday in Australia was that they wanted to get as far away from Stratford as possible. This is not, however, the view taken by a local business man, who in six weeks, has “done,” in characteristic style, the attractions of Melbourne,' Sydney, and Tasmania. “If von want a holiday,” said Mr. R. I). Lowers to a representative of tlie “Stratford Evening Post,” to-day, “Go to Australia; there’s no place like it.” Mr. Lowers returned to Stratford on Saturday evening, and, when asked for a few reminiscences of his trip, was of the opinion that there was little to say, beyond what has been said many a time by numerous other' Stratford residents who have gone on holiday over to the “other side.” A little persuasion, and Mr. Lowers was waxing enthusiastic over tho attractions of Sydney, its commercial enterprise, and its wonderful harbour. An Ostrich Farm,

“One of tho most amusing things 1 have ever seen was the Ostrich Farm at Watson’s Bay,” remarked Mr. Lowers. “While wo were out there, one of tho forts at tho Heads was indulging in big gun practice at targets three miles out at sea. The noise was deafening. But to get back to tlie ostriches, there’s a big farm at the bay, and the birds are a great attraction. They’re prohibited from selling eggs, but ’the birds are worth anything from £IOO each. They grow two lots of feathers every year, and you

-an buy feathers on the farm as ernes from one to ton or.' twenty guineas each. But you want to be there at 4 o’clock. At'this hour, regularly every day, and just as if they earned watches with thorn, the male birds trot over to the nests, rout the female birds elf, and sit on the eggs all night, until relieved from duty in the morning. They’re as regular as clockwork.” Divers Places. Among divers other resoids visited was that of La Perou.se, whore reside a little colony of Australian aborigines —the remnants of a dying race. They are nursed by a parental government, who give them annual grants of blankets. food, and money, and allow them to sell curios to the tourists.' A peculiar kind of shell box is their main revenge producer.' At the Blue Mountains, Mr. Lowers stayed at the Majestic Hotel, ad building which is by no means a misnomer. Measured in mere yards, it is a quarter of a mile long, and is a miniature city in itself. Mr. Lowers visited the • “Lucas.” “River,” and “Temple tf Baal” caves, the attractions of jvhicli are already widely known. The! ten caves attract thousands of tourists annually, and thdii: marvellous ; beauty is greatly enhanced by the "efforts of the Government, who have gone to great expense to light them with electricity and make them generally accessible.’ s?o.mo of the caves arc 850 feet below, the harthj and one isJtavoS’miles long.! ‘The’ colour effects secured by the illum inatioU,s- HiV Aho stalactites and _stalagmites are* wonderful in their infinite! var|ety|, add onc&ffeeen can never lie. \ iJI ,h~ „ A h Fast Train. Most of the speaker’s travelling was done by motor, lint on occasions the t r 9} n ,,5 n j? xitiHspd, and Mr. Lowers spoke in glowing terms of the merits_of the former service. He mentioned that the speed of the ‘T/i yi itc<d> press,” j- jw h ich inns ■frpin! Sydtiepf|p;p\lbur J f,ywis so: great as to cause a number of the passengers .to traiupsickness. The express-sLjps;, Mur tinges in a journey of tlireo hundred miles, and only ,first r class passengers,, arppgtaken on board.' 1 ' . ‘ Tasmania.

Mr. Lowers, who was accompanied by Mrs. Lowers and Miss McGill, also made a tour through Tasmania. He was very appreciative of the magnificent scenery, but found the little island very much behind the times in other respects, especially as regards its diminutive railways.