Whangarei Family's Trip To Australia

Northern Advocate, 18 May 1949, Page 2

Whangarei Family's Trip To Australia

AUSTRALIANS are most hospitable, warm-hearted, and ready to do anything in their power to help a New Zealander. There appears to be a strong bond of friendship between the peoples of the two Dominions.

These were the most vivid impressions brought back to Whangarei by Mr and Mrs T. A. Sargent and their son, Mr Don Sargent, who have just returned from a seven weeks’ holiday in Australia.

The Sargents travelled by air both ways over the Tasman. They were amazed with the speed of the crossing. It took a mere seven hours and 20 minutes.

Most of the vacation was spent in the two main cities, Sydney and Melbourne, where half of Australia’s entire population is centred. ' Both cities appeared very prosperous and busy, with shops displaying full stocks of goods. Mr Sargent found that business restrictions are no: comparable with those, in New Zealand and goods of all descriptions, which we do not have, and are not likely to have for a long time, were seen in abundance.

Butter and tea were the only commodities requiring coupons. Clothing costs were on a par with New Zealand rates, but food, with the exception of some fruits, was much dearer. MEALS DEAR IN SYDNEY. Meals in Melbourne made about the same-sized hole in the pocket as they did in New Zealand. In Sydney, however, it cost nearly twice as much to satisfy the “inner man.” Snapper sold at 3/6 per pound in Sydney. As far a§ meals were concerned, New Zealand hotels gave a much better service. Sydney and Melbourne hotels employed men waiters. Although the Australian bush was undoubtedly picturesque, the native trees did not compare with those of New Zealand, said Mr Sargent. The autumnal tints of imported trees around Melbourne, however, made a wonderful picture. Ninety per cent of the houses were brick. The Australian housing programme did not seem to be any better than New Zealand’s, and building costs appeared considerably higher. Land values, too, were very high. LIGHTS OF MELBOURNE.

(Restrictions on electricity were noticeably more severe than in New Zealand, and a big percentage of business firms ran their own power plants. Sydney’s greatest attraction was its famous beaches, said Mr Sargent, but he considered Northland beaches more than their equal. With their concrete promenades, and high commercialisation, the Sydney beaches catered for almost everything. The visitor could procure- anything from a Turkish bath to a ride on the roundabouts, but it was not the picnic style Northlanders- were used to.

Melbourne,, with its greater civic pride and culture, appealed more to the Sargents than did the cosmopolitan Sydney. Approaching Melbourne by plane at night the touristp saw an unforgettable sight. The sea of coloured lights, which appeared unending, showed up as a veritable fairyland. The beautiful parks and gardens of Melbourne had to be seen to be believed. Business in Melbourne centred round the extensive Myers Emporium, where more than 6000 people were employed. The emporium was said to be the biggest store in the Southern Hemisphere. Aerodromes were immense, with planes landing and taking off every two or three minutes. During the Easter rush more than 30,000 people were transported in or out of Melbourne by air. •