BACK FROM SOUTH AFRICA

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1680, 11 May 1904, Page 29

BACK FROM SOUTH AFRICA

MR BERT ROYLE’S IMPRESSIONS. Mr J. C. Williamson’s well known, New Zealand representative, Mr Bert Hoyle, has just returned from his flying visit to South Africa, where he went to pilot Miss Ada Crossley and company after the to. iuimitKHi of her .memorable tour through Australasia. Mr Eoyle will now resume his old position in New Zealand with its many calls upon acuteness and tact of wliich he has proved himself a past master. In a conversation with a "New Zealand Mail" representative. Mr Eoyle said: —We were only in South Africa seven weeks, during which time we gave twenty-two concerts and visited twelve towns, namely, Capetown, Kimberley, Bloemfontein/ Pretoria, Johannesburg, Ladysmith, Petermaritzburg, Durban, East London, Grahamstown, and Port Elizabeth The tour was just one triumph-

al march from start .bo finish, and the business done was a dazing surprise to local managers, previous records being broken, all along the line. The Australians and New Zealanders in each town had regularly organised committees formed to do honour to our great national star, of whom we are so justly proud, not only as one of the world’s greatest artistes, but for the sweetness and nobility of the true woman which has endeared Miss Crossley to so many thousands of people who have been fortunate enough to hear and see or in any way come in contact with her.

W e were remarkably fortunate, observed Mr Eoyle, for* we were included in all the invitations. \ve enjoyed the magnificent entertainments and excursions arranged for her welcome. We were taken to all the places of interest, which are many, and during our quick tour saw more than most people would be able to see in a much longer time. We visited the battlefields round Ladysmith, and I can tell you the pleasure was mingled with a great sense of pain, especially when we looked upon the hundreds of graves and thought of the brave young fellows Avho had been marching to the transports in the various contingents which left our shores during the war. It would take too long to express all our thoughts, spoken and unspoken, amidst those impressive surroundings. Miss Crossley, and in fact all our little party, were very much affected. I do not think anyone could so thoroughly realise the honor of war as those who either experience it or (as we did) see the sad traces with their own eyes. For many miles the railway is literally fenced on both sides with an unbroken lise of gmvest we had many less sad experiences though. Miss Crossley, and by courtesy ourselves, were simply feted royally ©Aerywhere. The stations would invariably be crowded to their utmost, capacity no matter at what time we might arrive, and the moment the great singer showed herself at the carriage door the cheering would be deafening. It made one feel proud of belonging to the same country. jl uen there would be speecnes, presentation of flowers and illuminated addresses and more cheering. Iler’s was like the progress of some royal personage. Speaking of flowers, I might say that the Bloemfontein flowers are about worth their weight in gold. The simplest little spray costs a pound. All blooms have to come 400 miles, and yet the stage was simply covered with bouquets and baskets of the most beautiful flowers before the concert was half over, and tney would represent a small fortune.

We visited the diamond mines, gold mines, and a hundred other interesting places, but it would take too lone* to relate all the enjoyable experiences of the tour. I shall always remember it as one of the most pleasant I ever had. At the same time South Africa is not always so rosy as we found it. There is a great deal of poverty there, and in many walks of life it is very much overcrowded. I met many New Zealanders in splendid ■positions, but I did not meet one who did not wish himself or lierseilf back among the green hills and good cheer of good old Maoriland. Personally 1 must say that although I enjoyed the trip so much and had nothing but pleasant experiences, New Zealand is good enough for me.