MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21384, 29 January 1935, Page 4

MELBOURNE AND SYDNEY

IMPRESSIONS OF A NEW ZEALANDER ADDRESS TO BUSINESS MEN'S CLUB "The country appears to be through the depression, and I found the people just as prosperous as when I left eight years before," said Mr Peter Hockley, in giving his impressions of Sydney and Melbourne to members of the Christchurch Business Men's Club in an after-luncheon address yesterday. Mr Hockley, who lived in Australia for 14 years, when he frequently visited all the states, returned recently from a visit to the Commonwealth. Mr P. O'Connell presided at the luncheon. Mr Hockley said that Australians generally had a very warm feeling for New Zealand and New Zealanders. They were greatly interested in our country from both the scenic and economic point of view. He found some strong opposition when he suggested that Australia should admit New Zealand potatoes. Nevertheless, they needed New Zealand potatoes, just as New Zealand needed Australian citrus fruits. Mr Hockley arrived in Sydney on a beautifully fine afternoon. He was particularly impressed with the harbour bridge, which he found a thing of extreme beauty, with its tracery of steel like beautiful lace. The bridge had caused many alterations,! particularly to property values. Wynyard. square had been turned into a very important commercial centre, and the shopping centre also seemed to have moved.

In Melbourne In Melbourne there had been many high buildings put up in the last eight or 10 years. Because of the height, the streets did not seem to be much altered at the street level. Everything was very beautiful alter the copious rain. It was a magnificent view from the top of Burke street at night. Some of the buildings were outlined in Neon lights, and all the windows were lighted. The fire brigade station was particularly impressive, as it was arranged with clouds of steam coming from it with a red light behind. It gave the impression that the whole station was on lire. Near the St. Kilda waterfront he inspected the work of a sculptor \vho used sand, water, and a colouring matter. Mr Hockley described the gifts of Sir Macphcrson Robertson to the citv. The Rotary Club had been very kind to him and other visitors, who were taken for drives into the country after every weekly .luncheon. "If you imagine the Garden of Eden, and multiply by 10, you have some idea of what the Melbourne golf courses are like," said Mr Hockley. He played on public and private courses, and they were _ all beautiful. He played far above his form, as it was impossible to go wrong in such wonderful surroundings.

Mr Hockley read a full description of Victoria's war memorial, the shrine of remembrance, which was recently unveiled by the Duke of Gloucester. Describing the floods, Mr Hockley said little trickling streams became roaring torrents. The wind was blowing at 60 miles an hour, with terrific rain. There were 10 inches of rain in the country and eight inches in the town between Thursday afternoon and midnight on Friday. Many houses were submerged many feet, and the occupants lost everything. The effect of Ihe wind on the waterfront was amazing, and great damage wes done there.

Mr Hockley was "ivon a vote ol thanks on tin? motion of Mr J. Carter. A musical item was given by Messrs H. C. Wells. E. Craighead. and R. Woolcock.