THE SIGHTS OF SYDNEY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2244, 4 March 1897, Page 44

THE SIGHTS OF SYDNEY.

By Cigarette.

THE HOTEL AUSTRALIA.

It was one of Sydney* hottest days when my friend suggested that we should go and inspect the Australia Hotel. "Won't tomorrow do ?" I asked. " No," she answered, " I have an engagement to-morrow ; if we don't go to-day I. oan'c go at all." So being a woman, the had her way, and half an hour later found us toiling up Castlereagh street, perspiring profusely, both inwardly, con* vinced that sight-seeing was a bore. However, our feeliDgi underwent a change as w» ascended the steps of tho Australia and entered the luxurious vestibule, which is one of the features of this palatial hotel. A vaafc tessellated hall, surrounded by comfortable leather divans, under a roof of pale green glass, conveyed a sense of coolness and repose. To our heated imaginations the ther-< mometer fell several degrees as we walked about inspecting ths growing ferns, the cases, of goldfish in miniature aquarium*, and the boautifal engraving* which helped to decorate this cool retreat. Groups of men were chatting and smoking and lounging on the divans, enjoying that dolce far nicnte whioh is an absolute necessity to the dweller in this steaming oily ; waiters were harrying to and fro to the clerk at the desk, receiving orders and aiking questions, and presently one was told off to escort us over the building. Following him to the lift, we took oar seats and rapidly ascended to the top floor, then mounting a steep staircase he led the way through a dour on to the roof, and we found ourselves high up above the crowd, gazing down from a giddy height on tquares and parks that looked like cbess beards in the distance and streets that looked like narrow lanes. Far out across the harbour we gazed — beyond the head*, away ovor the ocean — the distance seemed tremendous; then taming round once more we gazed fascinated at the town, picking out the different theatres and public buildings, whioh seemed to bave shrunk almost beyond recognition, Our guide, enjoying our surprise, informed us we^could go still higher up if we wished, and suggested that we should ascend the tower. Nothing loth, we followed him up two breaknqok, flights of stairs, and then gazed in dismay at an aperture tha size of a porthole, wbich he calmly informed as we should have to go through to reaoh the roof. My friend having some regard for her best bat wisely declined, and I having visions of getting stuck half way also declined, so we had our climb for nothing, and descended the stairs disappointed, hot, and exceedingly stiff. On reaching the top floor our guide showed us some of the bedrooms. These are arranged in corridors which are wide and airy and run all round a quadrangle occupied by the large vestibule below. The front bedrooms are all provided with balconies, and each floor contains six bathrooms, provided with hot »nd cold water; an electric bath is also available on payment of 2j. On asking our guide what the charge would be for the most elaborate suite of rooms, we were informed that 30s a day was the highest charge and 12s 6d the lowest. Leaving the upper floor, we descended to the drawing room, and were greatly struck with the elegance of the decorations and furniture. The walls were stained the palest green outlined with delicate rose, the furniture was upholstered in. old gold corduroy velvet, and our feet sank in the softest of carpets as we wandered through the three lofty rooms which, divided by arches, form - one large drawing room. Dainty Japanese screens and cosy tea tables and a beautifal grand piano gave a charm to the room ! which only needed a few groups of welldressed women to make it perfect. However, the only la,dy visitor we met was in the writing room, which was next the drawing room, and quite as luxuriously furnished; so we oame to the conclusion that either the Australia is not well patronised by the fair sex or else that everyone was out. With the exception of the vestibule, there was a sense of solitude throughout the whole hotel. Oar guide informed as that Christmas and Easter was their busiest time; but as there are 203 rooms in the hotel a great many people would be required to make it appear crowded. Leaving the drawing room, we next inspected the dining room, whioh is a magnificent apartment constructed to accommodate between 200 and 300 people. Waiter* were busy arranging a smaller room for private dinners, which will doubtless be in great request by hospitable people who dislike the publicity of the table d'hote. Once more we entered the lift and descended to the ground floor, where the smoking room, reading room, and bar are all situated. These are all in keeping with the rest of the hotel ; In fact, luxury Am apparent everywhere, and as we dismissed I our guide and descended the steps into the street we both agreed that we should very muoh like to stay at the Australia, but we wondered whether it would be made to pay.