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Oamaru Mail, Volume X, Issue 4200, 30 August 1888, Page 3

UNKNOWN

List evening one of our staff waited on Mr William Waddell, of this town, who baa recently paid a visit to Mr!'"""r:ie, Sydney, sud Hobart The interview was of a conversational nature, and the following describes some of the impressions formed by Mr Waddell daring his visit to Australia. As yon state yoa first landed at Melbourne, what were your impressions of that city? I may S3y that onr steamer reached Melboorno on the 2ad of Aagast and, as this *as tho day after the opening of the Exhibition tho city was full of visitors. B-yond question, Melbourne is a fine place, doing a big business. What do you think of the buildings of which we hear so much on this side ? The buildings are, many of them, very fine, especially same of the businosß places, ba:, taken as a whole, are not so tir.eaathoaeof Sydney. The material chiefly used Is brick, with stucco facings, which have a tendency to give the buildings a heavy and sombro appearance. Are you of the opinion that the prosperity and progress of the place is likely lo continue without a serious check? My firm impression, as a business man, is against such a belief, as trade of nearly every sort appears to be of a very unsound and superficial nature. I made myself acquainted with the prices of goodß, both wholesale and retail, and contrasting the prices paid for goods by retailera with their selling values, I am nf opinion that these do not warrant the piying of tho enormcus rents which are so general. It must bo remembered that the rush to Melbonrno has not been confined to thoso seeking work merely, but that inany business people have also gone there, cjnseqnently competition in every branch is very great. I had conversations with a number of business people, many of whom dread the crash which they believe to be inevitable. This question does not appear to trouble the working classes so much, as moat of them are fully employed, and aru full of the glories of Melbourne.

Did yoa meet many New Zealaadera 1 Yes I and a nnmber from North Otago. Most of them were in work of some aort, and the single men especially seemed at n lots how to find words strong enough to express their disliko of New Zealand. The married men did not appear so enthusiastic, as tliey had found that the expense of keepiug house was much greater there than here. To show that this is eo I might mention tho fact that for the rent of a threo-roomed cottage, three miles from the business centre of the city, lGi per week is piid. In Oamam 103 wonld he conaidored a good rent for a cottage for which 30s has to bo psid in Melbourne.

Would yna advise people to leave here and go to Victoria? Very much depends upon circumstances. If a man can get employment hero I would advise him to stay, but if work cannot be gor, his chanco of earning n living would be greater there than in New Z-aland.

Wha' do you think of the public institoti'ini 1

Many of them are very fine, but the rao3t attrnctire is the public library, in which there is a splendid collection of books. The pic'ure gallery under tbe s-itne roof is well worth a visit, as tbe collection is iruly an excellont one. Tbe public gardens are very beautiful, but here again Melbourne must rank second to Sydney. Government House is a feature of the city. The site chosen Is one of tho best that the neighborhood offers, and in confequence the view the residence commands is surpassingly fine. The ball-room of Government Honse is reported to be the finest Id the world. Did you see much Oatnara stone used ia tho varions buildings under construction 1

Not much apparently, but Mount Somers stone was in good demand. I think the cause of Oamaru atone not being more largely used 13 for the want of pushing on the part of tbo agents. I was sorry to notico there was not a single sample of nor atone at the Exhibition. Did you notice whether the stone was in ni'jr.: general use in Sydney ? Unfortunately what applies to Melbourne applies also to Sydney. During my visit there I met a gentleman who inquired if there were mora than one quarry from which O-iamrn stone conld bo got. I told him there were several and gave him the names of the agents in Oamaru and the prices ruling lccilly for the stone. He expressed much surprise at the low price and said he was prepared to place an order for 300G tons, and subsequent orders for various firms. Did you observe any great difference in the prices of goods in Sydney and Melbourne!

Soft goods, ironmongery, etc., wero | about tbo name in both placeß, but rents were full; one-half lees in Sydney than tbosq in Melbourne. In wholesale houses In the latter place prices for all kinds of goods aro higher than in New Zealand, Ihouzh retail values are abont the same in both colonies. Bread is Gi per loaf in Sydney and Melbourne, and meat all roand about a penny per lb dearer than in this colony. Of course yon visited the Exhibition and formed your opinion of It 1 Yes ; I was there on several occasions, and each time experienced a feeling of disappointment. This feeling might have been created by tho incomplete state of several of tho courts and the general litter of cases and packages; but the whole affair appeared too pretentious. What do you think of the New Zaaland count

As intended to represent the products and wealth of New Zealand, I think the collection simply execrable, and more like a museum than anything else. The pictures, photographs, etc., were a good collection, but fir too numerous for the spaca at command ; besides, their arrangement was bad. Tbo chief feature of the court in the Mosgiel Woollen Factory Company's exhibits, next to which M'Leod Bros.' collection of candles, soaps, etc., roust rank. The Victorian court is certainly the best of all, next to which comes Great Britaiu and Germany. Tho American court was io a very incomplete state. The music at the Exhibition is superb, and highly praised on all sides. The conductor, Sir Cowen, earning high enconinms. The exhibit of pictures is ImagniGcant, and attracts general attention. Thoro are lots of beggars to be met in tho streets, but in contrast to these, the people, as a whole, appear well dressed and contented. The hotels, aod most c f tbo theatrea are largely patronised, the Giiety Barleaqae Company drawing full houses overy night. On my way home I paid a visit to Hobart, and found there existed a strong feeling among the people there in favor of New Zealand as a tield for speculation. Many capitalists consider that this colony offers the best inducement of any Jor those having capital, and consider that now is the time to invest.

11 a crisis were to come In Victoria, do yoa think New Zealand would benefit to any great extent by it. Beyond qaestion it would; but New South Wales woald get the first benefit of anoatgoingof some of "Victoria's spare cash. Comparing tbo Aasatalian colonies with oar owo, I am strongly of opinion that we might be mach worse off here than we are.