TOUR OF THE EAST

Evening Post, Volume CXXIV, Issue 57, 4 September 1937, Page 9

TOUR OF THE EAST

WELLINGTON BOWLERS

Messrs. K. M. Roberts, A. A. Phelps, E. A. Liddle, and A. B. Duff, members of the Wellington Bowling Club, who left for Java in July last by the X.P.M. liner, the Maetsuycker, are due back in the same vessel in about a fortnight's time. Letters received from members of the party state that the five days' tour through Java < was full of interest and enjoyment. The visitors were especially interested in the many tropical products under cultivation, such as tobacco, rubber, sugar-cane, coconuts, and rite. Much maize is also grown.

The life and colour of the roads with their thronging traffic of all kinds, pedestrian, motor and ox •wagons, surprised the tourists until they realised that the island had a population of over 40,000,000. The good motor roads arid the skilful native chauffeurs, the quaint dwellings of the Villagers, the beautiful scenery, and the palatial hotel accommodation provided all combined to. make the tour an attractive one. The industry and cheerfulness of the natives was very noticeable. The Maetsuycker was loading at Saigon (French Indo China) for three nights and two days, leaving there on August 16. The native gangs worked the cargo by day and night continuously from the land side and also from about fourteen sampans which were tied to the ship. Whole families live aboard these boats. About a dozen vessels were lying at the wharves.

Saigoi, a beautiful town, lies inland about 55 miles on the river of the same name. It has many fine shady boulevards, with large trees growing on each side, members of the party state. Picturesque native markets and shops attract the tourist. In the district are to be found rice fields, rubber plantations, coconut palms, etc. Sunday is a gala day at Saigon. In the afternoon pony races are held, run on the French style. Betting is done on the pari mutuel machine, bets as low as one piastre (about 2s .In English money), being accepted.