A COLONIAL IN AMEEIGA.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9361, 10 March 1896, Page 5

A COLONIAL IN AMEEIGA.

A OHAT WITH MR G. HUMPHREYS. (BY OUR SPECIAL REPORTEB.) Mr Geo, Humphreys, of the firm of Fletcher, Humphreys and Co., returned on Saturday from a trip to America. A. member of the staff of the Press had a short chat with him as to his opinions of the country, &c, and the result of the interview ie given below; — WHAT AMERICANS THINK OF US. "Oα my arrival at San Franciaoo," said Mr Humphreys, "I was interviewed by several reporters regardiug the Venezuelan question. Talk about enterprise in colonial journalism, that is nothing compared with the Americans. I was going to bed when a gentleman was shown up and insisted on my giving him my views on the Venezuela question. It is remarkable that they seemed to think we ought to federate with Australia for the purpose of breaking off our connection with the Mother Country. All that they seemed to know about New Zealand was that it was a country which produced Lady Mayoresses and "gave women the suffrage, in which we licked creation. IMPRESSIONS OF AMERICA. "California is go-ahead, and has plenty of life and bustle. The theatres and shops are open every day in the weok, including Suudays. The hours of labour are very Jong, aad the couditious of liviug, except for wealthy people, are very unpleasant. There is no homo life there, and the comforta which we enjoy in the colouies are entirely absent. The hotels are gorgeous and palatial, but they lack the solid comfort such as one gets atCoker's, or iv the Eugliah hotels. I went out to Los Angelea aud saw the orangeries there. Thoy are very pretty, but there is not a blade of green grass, all is burnt up. I went through N«w Mexico, Arizona and Texas, aud ou to New Orleans. On the way we had two days of railway travelling through a desert, not a blade of grass to be seen, only sickly sage bushes. One thing I notioed in America, uud thaS was the want of civility by the train people, hotel employes, and all cue met with, whilst the tipping system wae in fall force. New York impressed mc the most of any city I saw, the electric and cable tram system is the most perfect and the overhead railway is something wonderful. They run heavy trains every eighty seconds, aud now they are agitating for a Bill to enable them to run every fifty seconds. I saw a number of oities and places during my travels. One of the most interesting places I saw was Glen wood Springe, like our thermal springe here. They have established natural Turkish baths in the oaves, of different temperatures. In Leadville, which is 10,200 feet above sea level, I saw a splendid Ice Palace, in the walls of which were electric lights of different colours. There was a circus and a skating rink inside, whilst outside was tobogganing. In Buffalo, while.t I was there, sleighing was all the fashion, and the whole

of the street traffic was conducted by means of sleighs. At Chicago I went over the I Armour meat factory, which is a great sight. When I was there the thermometer was eight below zero, and when I went to New York it was three below zero, whioh you will admit was rather a rough experience for a New Zealander. I saw Niagara Falls in winter, which waa a magnificent sight. During my travels the beef 1 met with waa fairly good, but I did not come across any good mutton like ours in New Zealand. Gambling ia rampant in every part of the States, and generally if you aek mc my opinion of America I must say that, though individually I was well received, I was greatly disappointed. THE PROHIBITION STATES. "I was through and in several prohibition States, but the law generally was looked upon as a farce, as you could get liquor anywhere by asking for 'cold tea,' which seemed to be the name for whiskey where the sale of liquor, was prohibited. Between California and New Orleans we bad to pass through a prohibition State, and we were asked on the train the day before we reached it what liquor we would require for

the next day, so that we could euoply ourselves beforehand. My experience is that so far as America is concerned prohibition decidedly does not prohibit. THEATRICAL. *' Whilst in America I was more than ordinarily fortunate. I saw Henry Irving in 'Louis XL,' and was powerfully impressed with his magnificent acting. . I beard Madame Melba in New York, with the tw« De Beszkes. The tenor did not impress nit grtatly, but Edouard, the baritone, sang splendidly. I also had the pleasure 6t seeing John Hare's Company, and also Misi Nellie Stewart io *An Artist's Model.' Mies Stewart seems to have impressed the New York people favourably. I do noc think much of the American actors, and American plays are rubbish, full of appeal* to ' the great Amertoan people,' &o. ' I saw their greataetor, N. 0. Goodwin, but in accent and acting be is very tame, and altogether opposed to our ideas of what a great actor should be. Ho reminded mo both in looks nnd speaking of Mr vVorthington. ANTI-ENGLISH FEELING. "When I was in America the anfciEnglish feeling was at its height. Iv the , theatres and in the uapei-e England waft scorned and insulted. On the stage the Union Jack was hissed at, and every allusion to the superiority of America over England aad her victories in the ancient limes wae wildly cheered. The plays represented Enpflauil aa altogether a second-rat* Power, and English people were regarded with contempt. . NO PLAGE LIKE HOME. "After all my wanderings through the great Continent I have come fco the conclueiou that there are far worse places than Nevtr Zealand, and it is with a groat deal of pleasure that I once more find myself el home."