BROUGHT "TOC H” LAMP

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 974, 17 May 1930, Page 11

BROUGHT "TOC H” LAMP

CHARMS OF N.Z. APPEAL TO VISITOR IMPRESSIONS OF DOMINION The “Toe H” lamp won last year by Dunedin was brought to New Zealand by Mr. Leslie TL Kent, who is at present in Auckland. While in Dunedin he handed the lamp to the "Toe H” authorities.

Mr. Kent, a director of the firm of George Kent, Limited, hydraulic engineers, of London and Luton, who is here on a business tour, has found New Zealand so charming that he has decided to extend his visit.

When he arrived at Wellington by the last trip of the Rangitiki, he had two chief interests outside his business, “Toe H”, of which organisation he is an# executive in England, and painting.

Now his enthusiasm for New Zealand has become a new interest. The enchanting scenery of lake and mountain, bush and sea, has eclipsed anything that Mr. Kent had imagined about the country. He has toured the Southern lakes. Mount Cook, and is to traverse the North Island. The frank equality with which the white people treat the Maoris appeals to Mr. Kent. He has become absorbed in the study of development here, and is amazed that within 100 years the Dominion should have been so thoroughly exploited, and foresees an immense future ahead of it. GOING TO AUSTRALIA From New Zealand Mr. Kent goes to Australia. He hopes to be able to do some painting in the Blue Mountains. as some*, of his English friends have done. He has managed to do a little painting here, but lack of time.-has prevented him from doing alI ,< J r e woulcl have liked. “New Zealand people are remarkable for their air of cheerful contentment,” says Mr. Kent. Before reaching New Zealand he was warned, in a friendly way, not to expect too much from New Zealand hotels. The warning was quite unwarranted, states M**. Kent who is quite pleased with the way in which he and his wife were made com-

fortable in New Zealand hotels. New Zealand should, year by year, attract an increasing number of tourists: it is so beautiful, in the visitor’s opinion. 1 In business Mr. Kent is concerned with the production side of his firm's manufactures, but is making a special , point of ascertaining liow far the I firm’s goods meet local requirements . and where improvement is worth while.

It is 24 years since a director of this firm made a tour of New Zealand, and the change in the business situation in that period is remarkable.