WAR-STRICKEN AREAS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 17724, 8 March 1921, Page 6

WAR-STRICKEN AREAS.

RESTORATION OF BELGIUM.

" BRUSSELS VERY GAT."

Some impressions of life in Belgium and the portions of Germany now under the occupation of the Allied* forces were eriven yesterday by Mr. A. C. Caughey, of Auckland, who. with Mrs. Caughey and members of their family, returned by the Maheno after an .absence of 10 months abroad.

Shortly after reaching England Mr. Caughey and family motored from' London to Scotland. They then took the car over ; to Ireland, where, despite the prevailing trouble — the Belfast riots taking place during the visit—they were able to spend a pleasant time in the portions of Ulster comprised within Antrim and County Down. A visit was later paid to Belgium, and to portions of Germany under* British and French occupation. Cologne, which is occupied by the British, and Bonn—the seat of the university which numbers the ex-Kaiser and Crown Prince among its past students'—were visited. Bonn is now under French occupation, ft was found that in Bonn, although the -feeling of the people is one of bitterness toward the French, the disposition toward the British, who were formerly in occupation, is of a more friendly character. The German people seen, were generally well dressed and had an appearance of comfort, despite the high prices entailed by the existing rates of exchange. Mr. Caughey imparted some interesting observations regarding present-day life in Belgium. "Wo found Brussels verv gay," he said. " The people were all well dressed, the shops were very busy, and wore an air of prosperity. There was no outward 3ign. at least, of the distress or poverty that a visitor m%ht have expected to see. The people of Belgium are hard-working and thrifty, and they haye made great progress since the war in the restoration of the country's commercial activity. The rate at which the factories a'-e being reconstructed and the rapidity with which the country is getting back into its normal industrial stride is indeed remarkable." While in Belgium the Aucklanders took advantage of the opportunity of having a look at-the old Vindictive, with which the channel at Ostend was blocked by the British Navy during the war, and which has since been presented to the Belgians. A photograph of 'his interesting relic was also secured.