GAY CITIES

Evening Star, Issue 21719, 14 May 1934, Page 10

GAY CITIES

PRESSMAN’S COMMONWEALTH IMPRESSIONS WONDERS OF SYDNEY BRIDGE NO SIGNS OF LEAN TIMES fPr.R United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 14. “ There is little outward evidence that Australia has been experiencing a lean period,” said Mr A. B. Lane, manager of the United Press Association, who returned to Wellington this morning by the Makura after a visit to Sydney and Melbourne. “ The streets of Sydney and Melbourne are thronged, and the innumerable shops appear to be doing brisk business.. The city retailers, especially in the larger shops, have an immense daily turnover, and they are doing well. The lay-by system, under which purchasers pay for goods by instalments, obtaining possession when the full amount has been received, has attained enormous proportions, and a large percentage of the total sales are made in this way Sydney Bridge has justified itself. There is only one word for . this structure —marvellous—and that seems inadequate. It is built on a scale which reveals broad and imaginative vision, and the result creates an ineffaceable impression. The huge arch dominates the city, and even from the far country the rural taxpayer is able to shake his fist at this addition to the distant scene. The bridge cost ten million pounds, and interest and sinking fund have to be found. Every motorist who crosses the bridge pays 3d for his car, and 3d for each person in it. Every tram and train passenger pays about 2d for crossing the bridge. Foot passengers go over free, with the result that many people get out of the trams and motors at the approaches, and by walking over avoid the tax. The bridge is wide enough to accommodate two lines of railways, two lines of tram tracks, a motor,road giving ample space for four lines of motor traffic, and two wide footways for pedestrians. The interior of one of the pylons has been turned into shops, showrooms, reireshment buffets, photographic studios, etc., all of which are willing to do business with the visitor, who climbs the pylon to obtain a view from the balcony near the top. ’ The footways over the bridge are screened by netting and barbed wire to restrain would-be suicides from jumping over. This is an inconvenient and regrettable, but perhaps necessary, addition to the bridge fittings. The roar of train and tram traffic on the bridge is appalling, but it is said that people living near by have become accustomed to it. The noise affects only the immediate neighbourhood, but may be carried further by favouring winds. . “ Traffic control systems are being tried out in Sydney and Melbourne, where the problems become acute, in Sydney drastic' action had to be taken, and a great improvement has been effected. Pitt and Castlereagh streets, in the heart of the city, are now oneway streets.' Police officers direct the traffic at the corners and cross-roads, both foot and wheel traffic being controlled. In Melbourne the “stop caution and “ go ”, signals, with red, yellow and green lights, are m operation ;at all the principal corners, and the system works effectively with the enormous crowds and fast-moving motor traffic. The traffic at Flinders Street Station gives the system .its most exacting, test, and the hurrying hordes of people, as well as trams, motors, bicycles, and other traffic, aie guided and controlled admirably, the police take a large share in' traffic control in both cities. -Melbourne’s new electric trams are roomy and convenient, and the services, both of trains and trams, are fast and frequent. It seems an anachronism that the old cable trams, with trailers attached, still proceed serenely along Bourke, street. This is the only remnant of the old cable system, and it will inevitably disappear in a few years. ' “ The past is parted with regretfully, and even hansom cabs linger superfluous on the stage. “ Canberra is the show place or Australia, and certainly it is unique. It is a garden city in the best sense of the term, and possesses a beauty which one is compelled to admire. The gardens, buildings, and winding streets, and the whole working out of the plan for a future city have produced a town which can have uo rival in Australia or New Zealand. The trouble is that Canberra is ahead of the times, and is a financial dead weight round the neck of the Commonwealth. Millions of pounds had been spent on it, and millions more will have be poured out before the Federal City is complete. In the meantime, Canberra is not , universally popular with the small army of Federal public servants and their families who make up' the larger part of the population of the capital. Many of them have been dragged unwillingly away from their beloved cities of Sydney and Melbourne, and they pine for the flesiipots of those lively, gay places.. On the other hand, Canberra is entirely satisfying to the many inhabitants who enjoy every possible amenity in the way of sporting, athletic, and social recreation. The “ dry ” law has been repealed, and the hotels in Canberra arc licensed. The architect of the city, Burley Griffin, is now engaged in building a beautiful,suburb at Castle Craig, overlooking Middle Harbour at Sydney. “ At Canberra 1 had the pleasure of meeting the Commonwealth Prime Minister, Mr Lyons, and handing to him the goodwill message sent by Mr Forbes. Mr Lyons was very cordial in his references to New Zealand, and expressed the firm opinion that the many questions which confronted both Australia and New Zealand should be dealt with by the two dominions in co-opera-tion, rather than by each separately seeking its owu advantage. .He was hopeful, rather than optimistic, about the future of Austraha, and ] was deeply impressed by his genuine devotion to his country and its people. In Melbourne. 1 met Sir George Pearce. Commonwealth Minister of Defence and the representative of. West Australia in the Commonwealth Ministry. The secession movements in West Australia and Tasmania are causing some concern in political circles,,but it is anticipated that the agitations will cease before any severance is accomplished.”