Impressions of Melbourne.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 303, 29 September 1888, Page 3

Impressions of Melbourne.

Mr Waddell, of Oamkru, having jusfc returned home after a round of the colonies, has been giving the * Mail ' his impressions of things on the other side. The following are the material parts of the interview :—: — Are you of opinion t>hat the prosperity and progress of Melbourne are likely to continue without ' a serious check ?— My firm impression, as a business man, is against such belief, as trade of nearly every sort appears to be of a very unsound and superficial nature. I made myeelf acquainted with the prices of goods, both wholesale and retail, and contrasting , the prices paid for goods by retailers with their selling values, I am of opinion that theso do not warrant the paying of the enormous rents which are so general. It .must be remembered that the rush to Melbourne has not been confined to those seeking work merely, but that many business people have also gone there, consequently competition in every branch is very great. I had conversations with a number of business people, many of whom dread the crash which they believe to be inevitable. This question does not appear to trouble the working classes so much, as, most of , them are fully employed, and are full of the glories of Melbourne. Did you meet many New, Zealanders ?—? — Yea; and, a number from North Otago. Most of them were in work of some sort, and the single men especially seemed at a loss how to find .words strong enough to express their' dislike of New Zealand. The married men did not appear so enthusiastic, a sthey had found that the expense of keeping: house was much greater there than here. To show that this is so I might mention the fact that for the rent .of a - three- roomed cottage, three miles from the business centre of tho city, 16s per week is paid. In Oatnaru 10s would be considered <a good rent for a cottage for which 30s has to be paid in Melbourne. Would you advise pepple to leave here and go to Victoria ? — Very much depends upon circumstances. If a man can get employment here I would advise him to stay, but if work cannot be got, his chance of earning a living would be greater there | than in New Zealand. . # I & Did you observe any great difference in the rjrices of goods, in Sjdney and Melbourne ?— Soft goods, ironmongery, etc., were about the same in both places, but rents were fully one-half less in Sydney than those in Melbourne. In wholesale houses in, the latter place .prices for all kinds of goods are higher than in New Zealand, though retail values are about the same in both colonies. Bread is 6d per loaf in Sydney and Melbourne, and meat all round about Id ' per lb dearer than in this colony. Of course you visited the Exhibition and formed your opinion of it ? — Yes ; , I was there on several occasions, and each time experienced a feeling of disappointment. This feeling might have been created by the incomplete state of several of the courts and the general litter of cases and packages ; but the whole affair appeared too pretentious. What do you think of the New Zealand Court ?— As intended to represent the products and wealth of New Zealand, I think the collection simply execrable, and more like a museum, than anything else. The picturefy photographs, etc., were, a good collection, but far too numerous for the space at command ; besides, their arrangement was bad. The chief feature of the court is .the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company's exhibits, next to which McLeod Bros.' collection of candles,, soaps, etc., must rank. ThW Victorian Court is certainly the best of all, next Jto which comes , Great Britain Germany. The; American Court was in a very incomplete , state. The t music ab the Exhibition is superb, and highly S raised on 'all sides, .the, conductor, Mr bwen, earning high"encqmiums. The exhibit of pictures jis magnificent, and t attracts general attention. ( There, are lots of beggars to be met in the streets; but, in contrast to .these, the people, as a, whole, appear ' well,, dressed and contented. The hotels, and most of the theatres, are largely Satronised, the .Gaiety Burlesque Qompany rawing,; full 'houses every night.,, On my > way horne J I paid <ra visit to* Hobart, , and found there existed a strpng feeling among> the people there in" favour, of ' New,, Zealand, as'afieldfor speculatibn^Many capitalists consider, that this cplony^offerss, the best, m--ducement of any, forjthpse'ehavingf capital, ,' and ' consider, that now; is x the timexto in'j,ve6t)/. f ;. ''';' \u ;, *>L -i'l."' vv}-^J/ •'> '/ _■>„' ■--,"" If a crisis ' wereto come in Victoria; do you think <Newd Zealand^ wpuldj'bjjnefitVtb' *ariy great 4xteht; by^t:?— Beyond ', "it would l ,^alM;™^ l g«ii; '< the first • benefib/pf ?an qutgoinj^qf t*Bdme^olj IV-ictoria's 1 spare cash.f l 4raHanxqlonielswith (^ /of ;6pihipn;tnabiwe migHtirbe muonifrofsejoff -lieretthantwe axe;, .<;£ '",&£''['&; : < ': ,v;> ; ' \ .■. ■ l ( : ' rr ' \ 'iS'i v'-^rA Hn^'i t-£fcW ''Wl-,W 1 - , «> t ffl^i*' *;';

irsuBnB^dlfcEe-imnorb.dtt4y^nioSreiil^