ANOTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12483, 20 April 1906, Page 8

ANOTHER DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY.

(SPECIAL TO " THK PRESS ") DUNEDIX, April 19. Many anxious enquiries were made at the newtpaper officer tv-day for particulars on (o the effects ot the dLsaf-ter. A gentleman who resided in "Frisco for ;i number ot yonrs states that the city ].-■ situated on a small peninsula, tho geographical configuration being not unlike that ot Duncdiii, except that San Fraucipco would be where Anderson 7> Bay is, and the various residential suburbs on the mainland. On the northern side of the ci'y there i» a gradual rise, the mansions ol the millionaires, the Churches and cathedrals, the palatial residences, being on tho hill, and the theatre*-, shops and warehouses at tho foot of the slope. The •south side is taken up by the shipping, a cheaper class of dwellings, factories, brewerkv, t>ome Government building-, etc. The Palace Hotel was known far and near art one of the largest, most complete, and well-arranged hotels in the ivorld. It had hundreds of rooms, and a splendid courtyard, in which a band nightly played, whilst scores of guests wandered among the fountains and ferriee, or promenaded in the <jalleric*», which roso one above the other, till a dome of gias.; was reached. The grand Opera House, known aho at> Morostoe.*, the* home of lurid melodrama, was one of. the largest theatres in tho Suite*'. Here Patu and Melba sang, and Bernhardt and Irving played to enormous houeras at fabulous prices. In addition to tho main auditorium, there were a largo- vestibule, dining and music rooms, a picture gallery, and commodious pronienadei?. Tho Fast Office was a new building, having been erected some seven or eight yeaii* ago, at a cost of many hundreds of thousands cf dollars. The gasworks were situated at tho ■north end of the water front. These two establishments imply that tho earthquake covered territory leading from the far north end of the water front, clear round to the junction at tho ferric*, where it formed a- sort of loaf, embracing tho populous and crowded neighbourhoods on the f-outli side of Market street. That, there was a large amount of shipping from Australia, South America, and the East, possibly some bn:ttle.-liip.s, and much focal craft, to say .nothing of the numerous luxurious ferry boats that ply on the Bay, must unhappily be taken,for granted. The monetary loas will Te colossal. The sight of tho city from the deck of an incoming steamer i.s not inviting. Early in the morning, and up till about ten o'clock, there is very often n. fog, through which the chimneys and Olilla and warehouses and skyscrapers loom dull brown, liko smoking stacks amid the crush ot factories. Along this side its what is known as the water front, and here in Uieir clips, and moored- to the wharves-:, are the palatial ferry boats capable of holding 3000 passengers. Sprocket's Honolulu, Japan and Australian liners, sailing ships from «11 ports, coastal steamers .and local shipping. On tho wharves are stored grain wind merchandise in long lines of sheds. Out in tho bay float idly battleships and yachts, and south of tho local ferry slip.; are coal cranes and factories, and the customary clusters of mean taneinents. iShops of •all eorts, but of a cheap and vulgar ctaes, face the water front, every other one being a beer or ivhisky saloon. Larding at the ferries at the foot of Market street you have on your right what is termed north of Market street, and on your left south of Market street. This fine street extends for, perhaps, one and «i-half to two miles. Bind it- is the part of the city en the. south eido of 'Market street, plus tho water front .already mentioned, that is probably the .scone of tho earthquake. The Sonoma was not due to pail with tho New Zealand mail till to-day. «nd her mail being on the railway, two bundled miles, east of San Francisco, will probably be safe.