NOTES IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7656, 5 June 1886, Page 1 (Supplement)

NOTES IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

[from OUR travelling correspondent.] Ocii trip from Auckland to Sydney in the Tar aw era was the most uncomfortable I ever experienced. The vessel had no cargo, and even in a very moderate sea tossed about so as to make all the passengers ill. Captain Sinclair did all he could for the passengers ; but even a good captain cannot prevent seasickness. We were all glad to reach Sydney. In this wonderful city everyone is full of life and activity. It is a relief from Now Zealand to hear men speak well of business and hopeful by for the future. Buildings are going up everywhere, and banks, insurance offices, and warehouses are erected like palaces, George-street resembles Cheapside in life and activity ; shops are crowded with customers, and money is freely spent. Property is still high, and generally owned by syndicates, but it would soem as if for the preset it had reached its highest point. The clubs are numerous; the Union are erecting a fine pile of buildings ; tho younger members of the Australian are agitating for a new building; and a new clubthe New South Wales—have just erected a fine building. The Churches are equally active. The Church of England, presided over by Dr. Barry, is making good headway. Dr. Barry has not the same reputation as Bishop Moorliouse as a preacher, but he is a very able administrator —a quality in a bishop of much greater importance than that of a preacher.

The Presbyterians are a and influential bodymany of the wealthy people of Sydney being members of that Church. The Rev. James Cosh is head and shoulders above his brethren. He was picked out to represent the Presbyterian Church of New South Wales at their Council held lately in Belfast, and is one of Sydney's representative men. As I heard him preach with eloquence upon one of the great social problems of our age, I could not help but marvel at the stupidity and shortsightedness of Auckland Presbyterians in allowing such an ablo man to slip through their fingers. Auckland's loss is Mr. Cosh's gain, as he is now in a field where petty jealousies are not allowed to interfere with real merit. The Wesleyans are active and aggressive, and Baptists and Independents (while few in number) possess members of high influence.

The iioman Catholics are very numerous, but Cardinal Moran makes a poor substitute for the late Archbishop Vanghan, a man of broad and enlightened views, and universally popular among all classes. lam informed Cardinal Moral's manner is much against him, and he lacks that ease and suavity of manner which Aucklanders appreciate so much in iiishop Luck. The clergy of the itoman Catholic Church keep much to themselves, and would be very much the better of genial men like Father Walter McDonald. We all know Father Walter's warm shake of the hand.

We visited the Houses oF Parliament, and, through the courtesy of Mr. Barton, we obtained seats behind the Speaker. I was not impressed with the legislators of New South Wales — the Queen's English was fearfully murdered, personalities were freely indulged in, and the bulk of the speakers might be classed under the head—if not the elegant, at least express

sive phrase—of " blatherskites" —a class not altogether unknown in New Zealand. Strikes amongst the working classes are, I regret to say, very common. I express no opinion as to the merits of the various disputes, but undoubtedly the frequency of these strikes has a tendency, if not to drive capital out of the country, at all events to deter the capitalist from investing his money in many enterprises of benefit to the colony. I wag informed on the best authority that one large capitalist had made a vow not to invest another shilling in any enterprise where labour was essential to its success, owing to the heavy losses he had sustained in enterprises which would have been thoroughly successful had it not been for the strikes of the workmen.

I believe the appointment of Conciliation Boards would do much to relieve the strained relations now existing between capital and labour. It is proposed that these Boards of Conciliation should have power to be retrospective in their awards, so that when labour has any grievance the matter could be submitted to the Board, and instead of going out on strike, and so heavily punishing their unfortunate wiveß and families, continue at the old rate of wages until the award was made by the Board of Conciliation. I should like to see a Board of Conciliation composed of the very best men in every town in Australia and New Zealand. Capital and labour, instead of being anta goniatic, would work together for their mutual advantage.

We had a most delightful trip to the Fish River caves. Leaving Sydney by rail we ascended the famous Zigzag ; stopped a few days at Katoomba—a delightful change after the heat of Sydney — visiting the famous Govett's Leap and Whitward Falls. Taking a buggy for Mount Victoria, we passed some beautiful mountain scenery, through the old convict township of Big and Little Hartley, and finally entered the Australian bush. But what a miserable bush compared to New Zealand ! no ferns, little variety in colour and form, but a continued sameness until the eyes became pained with the constant monotony. The Fish River runs through a deep gorge, with towering mountains on each side. At the top of the range we had to leave the buggy and pack our luggage on the horses. After a descent of three miles we reached tha hotel, on our way inspecting the first part of the cave country known as Basletta Arch, a huge arch hanging with stalactites, leaving a large opening by which you see the country behind, exactly resembling the drop-scene of a theatre. The hotel is well conducted by the guide, who is appointed by the Government. Mr. Josoph Newman will be glad to hear that the guests are compelled to be total abstainers, as the Government prohibit the sale of any liquor. The caves are very numerous, and secured by iron gates, to prevent people exploring without guides. The Lucas Cave is famous for its loftiness. One portion, called the Snowball Cave, is remarkable for its beauty ; the roof appears covered with patches of silica resembling snowballs. A portion of the cave is dangerous, especially for ladies, is you are requested to ascend a wire ladder GO feet high. The want of nerve, and thereby losing foothold, would precipitate the unfortunate person into the chasm below. The most remarkable caves are known by the name of Imperial, and, for marvellous beauty, are unequalled in any part of the world. The principal one has not the grand cathedral-looking chambers of the Lucas caves, but it has every imaginable form and Bhape of stalactite and stalagmite. Lot's wife, a figure by itself, resembling the finest alabaster, is remarkable for its beauty. When the magnesium light is applied it resembles a fairy scene, especially in some parts of the cave where a peculiar stone makes the roof and walls glisten like diamonds amidst the perfectly pure alabaster colour. Every step in the cave reveals fresh beauties of form and colour, which in number and variety render description impossible. It is a most fortunate thing these wonderful caves were not discovered until quite recently, otherwise those rude Goths, in the shape of specimen hunters, would have quite denuded them of their beauty. The Government, with praiseworthy zeal, have railed off the tho most beautiful part of the caves, and made paths through for the convenience of the people. The last cave visited was the Nettle Cave, and, though not equal to the Imperial, yet its lightness impresses you with amazement. High columns, almost perfect in proportion, appear on every side. A uumber of large stalactites, when touched with a stone, give out the deep tones of a bell, and when sounded quickly in rotation resemble tho ohimes of bells.

Taking coach for Fish Rivor, we stayed one night at a township called Oberon, and from thence drove to 'Parana, on the Great Western line, where we took rail to Sydnoy.

Another most enjoyable trip is to the Hawkesbury River. Taking the steamer to Manly, and coach to Newport, we rest at a pleasant hotel, overlooking Pittwater. Next morning at five o'clock we take steamer up the Hawkesbury. At the entrance from the sea is an island, resembling in appearance a crouching lion, as if defending the entrance. The scenery is very fine, and resembles very much some of the Souuds on the West Coast of New Zealand, especially "reservation Inlet. At every turn of the river a now picture is beheld ; high headlands, running into the river, covered with the most beautiful bush, numerous bays, while here and there a settler's cottage is discerned, which gives life to the scene. Wiseman's Ferry is reached in time for lunch, after which wo continue to ascend the rivor. On the left hand the hills are atill very beautiful, but on the right the flats commence, and farms appear in sight. In the evening we reach the point where navigation ceases ; a coach is waiting, so we proceed full gallop to Croydon, just in time to catch tho train to Sydney.