IN THE HOLY LAND.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXII, Issue 2516, 20 December 1927, Page 2

IN THE HOLY LAND.

PRESERVATION OF HISTORIC PLAGES. It may surprise some of my read' ers (writes Herbert Upward in John o’ London’s Weekly) to hear that my greatest disillusion came at Jerusalem. The Holy City itself is still unique, elusive, wonderful. But to find the Mount of Olives almost covered with all kinds of buildings and the summit crowned with a twadry modern German hospice, and to see nearly the whole of the Garden of Gethsemane occupied by churches and grottos, made my heart sink within me. It is gratifying to know that steps have been taken to preserve the remaining sacred sites from further building or desecration. Sir Ronald Storrs, the first governor of Palestine under the British mandate, organised a pro-Jerusalem society for the purpose of preservingparks, gardens, and open spaces; the the historic places, the provision of establishment of museums and libraries, and the encouragement of arts, handicrafts, and suitable industries. This is at present a private enterprise, and already a good deal has been done, but the work has been hampered by lack of funds. It is to ho hoped that the Government will before long see its way to support so laudable a work. The British Army had scarcely entered. Jerusalem before the authorities realised that the water supply was wholly inadequate for the needs of so large a city. Steps were at once taken by the authorities to increase ’the supply. In a district between Jerusalem and Hebron, and ancient system of adqueducts, dating from the time of Herod, was discovered. The engineers found that a large quantity of fresh water was being wasted every day. They at once set to work to save the precious liquid which would mean so much to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. The aqueducts were restored and extended, and in less than six months an abundant, if not altogether, adequate, supply of fresh water was de livered to Jerusalem. This is one of the romances of the British occupation. In addition to this, telegraphic communication has been improved throughout the country. The telephone has been established for the first time, and a wonderful railway has been built from Jerusalem to Egypt. After zigzagging across the hills of Palestine, the railway runs through the desert of Sinai, with its miles and miles of eternal sand, and here and there a refreshing oasis. To-day the journey from Jerusalem to Cairo is accomplished in about .12 hours, whereas in the olden, days it must have taken as many months.