A New Zealander in Sydney Town

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 751, 26 August 1929, Page 9

A New Zealander in Sydney Town

(THE SUN'S Sydney Correspondent J SYDNEY, August 22. If the impending visit of the French battleship Tourville serves no other purpose, it will at least result in the historic graves at La Perouse receiving a much-needed clean-up. French citizens in Sydney are already calling for action. Both the La Perouse monument and the grave of Father Receveur are in a sad state of neglect. The suggestion has been made that a fund should be inaugurated to keep them in a state of decent conservation. As it has been the custom for many years past for visiting French ships of war to place a commemorative plate on the monument. it is quite likely that the officers and men of the Tourville will do likewise. Moscow Route Closed

The Soviet is not too anxious these days to welcome visitors through the Far Eastern door. Mrs. Charles Nathan, of Wellington, who has just returned from Harbin, told me the other day that she did her utmost to obtain a passport to travel through Russia. But it was of no use. The Bolsheviks accepted her deposit of 25 Chinese dollars, but eventually decided not to grant her the required permission. And so Mrs. Nathan was unable to keep a New Year's Eve engagement at the Embassy Club in London, and, incidentally, cross Europe by way of Moscow. Instead, 10 enjoyable months were spent in the East, principally at Shanghai. Hotel Charges in the East'

While at Shanghai Mrs. Nathan stayed at Astor House, the leading hostelry, and, as a matter of fact, one of the finest hotels in the world. A room, bath and all meals cost ex actly 15s a day. Such a rate is only possible, of course, where the staffing prohlem does not constitute one of the largest overhead charges. Higher stakes than ever she saw at Monte Carlo were on the tables at the Sporting Club In Shanghai. Gambling is such a profitable proposition in the East that obliging Celestials in charge of this Shanghai Club send a car for intending patrons. What is more, they send them back to their hotels by the same method, win or lose, after an appetising supper at which anything from lemonade to champagne can be charged to the management. Mrs. Nathan will cross to Wellington on a short visit by this -week's boat. Since her arrival from the East she has been at the Austral ia. Ex-Cabinet Minister to Visit Sydney

Mr. A. D. McLeod, a member of the late Coates Government, accompanied by Mrs. McLeod, will arrive in Sydneyearly in September from the Old Country. and will spend at least a week here. Recent advices state that Mr. McLeod’s health is much improved. Mr. Speaker’s Daughter

Miss Statham, daughter of the New Zealand Speaker, is a visitor to Sydney. If a suitable opening should offer in the theatrical realm, it is reported, the Wellington girl might consider remaining here.

Mr. J. H. Grey, one of the biggest oil men in Australia, is returning to his native America by- the Niagara. He has recently retired from the position of managing director of the Atlantic Union Oil Co., Ltd. In his office hangs a signed photograph of the famous trans-Pacific flyers.

Mr. J. W. Everts, a director of the Royal Dutch Packet Shipping Company, who has been visiting New Zealand, will join the Niagara at Auckland. He has been accompanied on his tour of the Dominion by Mr. A. J. Pronk. general manager in Australia for his company. It was Mr. Pronk, incidentally, who spoke to Australia from Holland quite recently by phone, and it is nothing unusual for him to discuss business matters with colleagues in Java from his Sydney desk. It Is not generally realised how the Dutch in the East have excelled in telephonic development, as well as in aviation. For several years past there has been a regular airplane service between Batavia and the Dutch homeland. ERIC RAMSDEN.