POPULARITY OF SIMLA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 21, 26 January 1933, Page 8

POPULARITY OF SIMLA.

INDIAN SUMMER RESORT. Interesting sidelights on life at an Indian summer resort, sucli. as Simla, were given to members of the Auckland Travelmen's Club yesterday by Sir Joseph Smith. The club met in Milne and Choyce's Reception Hall. .

First Sir Joseph described the journey to Simla, and stressed the changes in climate. In May, for example, going over a range of mountains on the way to Delhi from Bombay, the heat was simply terrible. In Delhi in winter, January or December, all the clothes possible "were needed.

The speaker described the origin of Simla. About 100 years ago Simla was much the same as New Zealand. It was discovered by chance, when a political officer was seeking somewhere in the foothills to go for his health. It had been claimed that Lord Roberts' father had built the first house in Simla, and had cut down the bush to find the timber.-

Simla, said Sir Joseph, was the haven in the summer months for anyone within 1000 miles. Everyone went there, particularly 20 years ago, when leave to the Old Country, or to the colonies, was not so readily granted. "The place simply bristles with generals," said Sir Joseph. "They are everywhere, and on the King's birthday, it has been naid that thero are mor© generals than privates on parade,"