A WELLINGTONIAN ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 54, 27 November 1929, Page 12

A WELLINGTONIAN ABROAD

MR. C. F. SMITH’S IMPRESSIONS “I must say with great pleasure that upon comparing the shops in London ours, New Zealand stands very well, said Mr. C. F. Smith, managing director of Kirkcaldie and Stains Ltd., at a welcome tendered to him by the staff of the firm on Monday night on his* return after a nine-months’ trip abroad. “When I entered Kirkcaldie and Stains,” continued Mr. Smith, “I thought that much credit was due to the whole staff. The goods were the same class as those in first-rate London shops, the styles the same, and the general tone of the shop quite as smart. As to the way the goods are worn, New Zealanders bear comparison very well in that respect also.” Mr. Smith gave the palm for smartness to the New York girls, whom he considered beat any in the world for knowledge of how to wear clothes; in his opinion the French could not equal them. Cheap Travelling in England. Travelling by char-a-banc in England was found to be amazingly cheap and satisfactory, being easy, comfortable and safe. This means of getting over the ground was specially suitable for tourists, as they could give undivided attention to scenery and sights, and was far to be preferred to hiring a 'motor and driving oneself, which necessitated the man at the wheel giving his full attention to that job only. The party had a day’s char-a-banc driving on one occasion at the small cost of 16/-, and that included a light afternoon tea. At Leeds John Barren’s factory was visited; a most interesting experience. The cutting-room alone covered the area of a full-sized Rugby playing ground, and it was almost impossible to recognise a person standing at the opposite end. The men worked close to each other at benches, chalking the lines for the cutters, who cut about 25 or more suits at once. Amongst New York’s Skyscrapers. The time spent in New York was full of interest, said Mr. Smith, one of the sights being the Woolworth Buildings. Going up in the lift there was quite an experience; after the first 36 floors they travelled quietly, but coming down from the fifty-fourth to the twenty-fourth was a non-stop run for sightseers and gave an uncanny sensation. The lights of Broadway were as dazzling as expected and were much admired. Later the Niagara Falls and Burning Springs were visited. The falls were awe-inspiring, and the effect when lit-up by electricity something to dream about. Mr. Smith, who was accompanied on the trip by Mrs. Smith, gave a most interesting description of the places they had touched in Great Britain, Europe, America, Canada and Hawaii.