VISIT OVERSEAS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 26 November 1938, Page 10

VISIT OVERSEAS

RETURN OF NELSONIAN INTEREST IN ENGLAND, GERMANY AND FRANCE After a seven months’ tour overseas, during which he visited Australia, England, France and Germany, Mr J. Johnston, who was formerly a member of the Nelson Hospital Board’s staff, has returned to Nelson.

On the way Home calls were made at Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Colombo, Aden, Port Said, Valetta (Malta) and Southampton.

Mr Johnston went to Horsham, Sussex, to visit a sister. It was a very beautiful town with many ancient buildings, including the church which was built in the year 1247. Many of the houses in the old portion of the town had their origin in the Tudor period. He visited London, Eton. Windsor, Brgihton, Tonbridge and Chichester before crossing to the ConI tinent. Mr Johnston was in Paris durj ing the visit of the King and Queen ! and witnessed the Royal procession. The French seemed a very happy and prosperous people there being none in the crowds who were not well dressed. Going on to Cologne he found the German people generally well nourished, strong and healthy, but their general appearance was a contrast

with the French, the Germans giving the appearance that they were not prosperous and were lacking in spirit. He went down the Rhine almost to Gotensberg and crossed the river to go to the top of Mount Petersburg where Mr Chamberlain stayed when in Germany. He was surprised to find the hotels at Rotterdam nearly empty, despite the fact that it was July. Rotterdam seemed to be a very prosperous city with an immense amount of building being carried on, principally in the provision of flats and new houses.

Mr Johnston then returned to England and went to his native city Belfast where he stayed for a month with a cousin. In the 26 ycr.rs of his absence many changes had taken place with many new suburbs and improvements in the city. In many places they were pulling down the old large houses which could not be rented, the land being cut up for smaller house sections. At Belfast shipbuilding was very busy. One of the shipyards which had been closed during the depression had been replaced by a large aeroplane factory employing 6000 people. Later Mr Johnston visited Western Ireland.

When in Sussex during the recent war crisis Mr Johnston was measured and fitted with a gasmask. There was a feeling of intense depression among the people who considered war was inevitable. At Horsham, 45 miles from London, nearly all the houses had been commandeered for use by possible refugees from London. All barns and large houses were prepared for relief and trenches were dug in many parts of the town. Mr Johnston’s brother-in-law had been requested to make preparations to receive 20 possible refugees at his home. One of the things which had impressed him most during his tour was the Lady Chapel in Liverpool Cathedral, said Mr Johnston. The new portion of the Cathedral is nearing completion and the construction was near the top of the Great Tower. However the chapel was very beautiful and his visits to it he would never forget.