VISIT TO GREAT BRITAIN

Hawera Star, Volume L, 4 March 1931, Page 6

VISIT TO GREAT BRITAIN

H AAV ERA RESIDENT’S RETURN. IMPRESSIONS OF THE TOUR. Back from a trip to the Old Land where lie spent several months, Mr. A. Cormaek reports having had a most interesting; time, seeing parts of England he had not 'previously visited and having the opportunity of appreciating' the beauty and variety of the, Midland counties. In a short talk with a “Hawera Star” representative, Mr. Cormaek said he travelled by excellent steamers both ways, via Panama, the Mataroa homeward and the Rangitata outward, and expressed particular appreciation of the accommodation on the latter boat.

He spent a considerable time in the North of Scotland, in the neighbourhood of his birthplace, about 15 miles north of Aberdeen and was impressed with the changes that had taken place since lie was there in 1907. “Unemployment MV rife everywhere,” he said, “arid thousands draw tlie dole and appear to be comfortably situated, in one or two cases running a motor car.”

Air. Cormaek reached England in July and looked forward to three or four months of summer weather, but they were very cold and wet. August was said to have been the wettest since 1877 and several severe thunderstorms were experienced. This was most unusual for that time of the year. Tlie great Highland Sports take place at Britemar in August an<l the weather was so had that Royalty were unable to be present. This inclement weather was also very hard on harvesting operations.

After leaving Scotland Air. Cormaek spent some time in Lincolnshire with relations and saw much of the country. He was delighted with all he saw and found: that farmers in that, area were doing pretty well, the crops of potatoes and other produce looking first-class, while fruit in all parts lie visited was exceptionally good. Trade conditions, he said, appeared to- be unfavourable and generally there was a feeling that times were adverse and would probably continue so for some time. Shipbuilding at Home seemed fairly good and he noted with interest that the S.S. Rangitata was built on the Clyde and the captain and & number of her officers were “frae North the Tweed.’’

It- was forty four years last Friday since Air. Cormaek first landed in New Zealand and he then stayed at AVanganui with the late Sergeant Adam Dissert and both came to Hawera shortly afterwards. Air. Cormaek said he had: enjoyed every moment of the trip, hut he was very glad to- be hack in New Zealand and in Hawera once more.