TRIP TO EUROPE

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11960, 15 October 1924, Page 7

TRIP TO EUROPE

KISSING BLARNEY STBNE DESCRIPTION O'F LIFE ON THE CONTINENT. NIGHT LIFE IN TIER GARDENS. Some interesting experiences of life on the Continent are told by Mr J. R. ICirby, a member of the 6taff of Featherston District High School, who has just returned from a six months’ trip to Europe, during which he visited Italy, Austria, Cxecho-Slovakia, Germany. Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and the British Isles. BUT NEVER AGAIN. Mr Kirby, relating some particular's to the “New Zealand Times” representative, said he was particularly impressed with his visit to Ireland, where the scenery is very beautiful. He went to Dublin, Cork, Killarnev, Limerick, Blarney, and Mayo. He did not. fail to perforin the historic feat of kissing the Blarney stone, a somewhat perilous feat which he only accomplished on the second attempt. Ho was held over the edge of a cliff by the ankles while he swung head down and kissed the Blarney stone several feet below. When it is pointed out that there is a straight fall of fifty or sixty feet to the rocks below, it is not a feat that one would wish to attemot s ‘too often. “Never again,” says Mr Kirby.

THE AUSTRIAN TYROL. After visiting Rome he went on to the Austrian Tyrol, where are the bine mountains and also tho pink mountains with beautiful rose tints difficult to adequately describe. The scenery was exquisite. The river there is charming, hut dangerous to boats and swimmers on account of its fast and dangerous currents. He thought this country more beautiful than Norway. In his opinion the German . capital, Berlin, was one of the. gayest cities in Europe to-day, and .night life in the tier gardens was quite an experience. They cover 600 acres, and every night these gardens are resorted to by pleasure loving people. They pay about 2-jd for a glass of freer, and can sit down and enjov the sifiging, dancing, excellent hands, circuses, acrobatic turns, *etc. The last is a marvellous performance, and Women and girls achieve feats of strength' that are almost incredible. FEELING IN GERMANY. The Royal Palace of Frederick the Great, at Potsdam, is now unoccupied; hut is open to the public on certain days of the week.' When about to book through to Germany from Vienna, he was advised by an American to cut Germany out, hut the tourist department officer advised him to get experience of Germany for himself and he did so. Neither did he regret it. Ho was very kindly received by the German people everywhere, and he d<s6s not believe there is that hatreds of Great Britain to-day that existed before and during the war. There is no love lost between Germany and France, however. The German people arc heavily taxed but they are trying to make 'the best of the circumstances. Thev dress very well indeed. The ferry service between the German port and Malmo, Sweden, is a very comfortable one. the boats being firstclass vessels. In Norway and Sweden nearly all water power is harnessed for producing hydro-electricity, nearly ayery farm having its electric light and oven power. Christiania, strange to say, was a prohibition town, yet. they could obtain beer, but not spirits, in the cafe gardens there. He saw.more drunkenness there than in anv town- in Europe, and one Sunday night in the space of half an hour, saw seven people in the street hopelessly intoxicated, three of them young s women. Firstclass musicians play in the gardens, and soine of the violinists were most accomplished players.