MODERN SYDNEY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 March 1939, Page 6

MODERN SYDNEY

FLATS MUCH-IN EVIDENCE. MAGNITUDE OF BUILDINGS IMPRESSIVE. “Sydney is a wonderful place,” observed Mr H. M. Boddington, of Masterton, this morning, on his return from a visit to that city with a junior tennis team. It was 38 years since Mr Boddington had last been in Sydney. Wellington could not be compared with Sydney, he said. It would be like comparing Carterton with Wellington. The one thing that impressed a New Zealander more than anything else was the large number of flats located in buildings up to eleven stories high. In the metropolitan and suburban areas there were anything up to 2000 buildings given over wholly to flat accommodation. The magnitude of Sydney’s buildings was most impressive. The insurance and bank buildings were a real monument and no one visiting Sydney should fail to see the marvellous mural decorations in the interior of the Commonwealth Savings Bank building. Irrespective of the immense volume of motor, bus and tram traffic, said Mr. Boddington, there was one continuous flow of pedestrians in the main streets from daylight until dark. All the city and suburban streets were kept very clean and the tram service was an excellent and cheap one. The traffic control was wonderful and persons jaywalking were prosecuted. People stood on the side of the street like a flock of sheep awaiting the signal to cross, and when that was given went for their lives. Sydney Bridge was a most inspiring sight and had proved such a good proposition that there was an agitation afoot to reduce the tolls. Everyone seemed to be prosperous. The poverty that one heard about was not to be seen on the streets. The heat was terrific, said Mr Boddington, throughout his visit. At midnight the temperature was as high as 95 degrees and the mosquitoes were dreadful.