IN CHINA SEAS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2310, 9 June 1898, Page 39

IN CHINA SEAS.

At this time of the year ideal tourists' weather is experienced in all parts of the East— even to the much-advertised Far East— save presumably when tho monotony is broken' by a "buster." After six days' steam Hongkong (England's pride in the Far East) is sighted. ' Situated on an iKland, fortified to, the teeth, it presents an imposinc spectacle, the town itself sleeping snugly under the shade of a huge mount, despite the presence of a. score or more of men-of-war 'of all nations awaiting orders from home authorities to proceed as sealed directions recommend. Hurriedly glancing at the brilliant display of all nations one cannot but express an admiration for the "dear old Mother Country" for her display ; the great superiority and excellence of he* representatives points unmistakably to the fact that

England Rules the Seas I 11. M. Indus (between Shanghai and Japan), April 14. The weather here is awfully cold, and the ship rolling and pitching so heavily that it is with great difficulty I write. At Hongkong I teceived a veritable budget of letters, papers, etc.. which were most welcome.

Mr Edwin Geach, Carl Hertz' 3 manager, is a passenger with me. There is no truth, in tha luniour that '"c 'as 'ad 'is 'air cut."

Owing to pressure of business this trip, picking xap lost time, cannot send you any news until we reach the Oriental Hotel, Kobe, Japan, April 19. By the above you will see that I am safely lodged in Japan What a place it is to ba sure ! Her women ! Well, certainly Japanese morals are low— indeed, I question very much whether they have any. ' Work in these " foreign parts " I find awfully hard, and it keeps up a perpetual strain upon me, everything being so very different to dear old Australia and Maoriland.

In a chat with Mr E. Geach he informed me that he has had to abandon the South African tour, owing to Carl Hertz not being able to cancel London engagements which have already twico been postponed, so they will most likely see London about July or August. Although throwieg away such a good thing as the South African ■v.ouf, they have one comfort — namely, that they s»x«. -Ui&g Carl Hertz Business, and you know what that, means. At Shanghai I met TVldlle. D' Alton, Carl Hertz. Harry Lyons, &nd pianist Knowles, who are all well, dnd vend kind regards to all inquiring friends. Auy despatches sent them care of Carl Hertz Company, G.P.0., Colombo, marked "Ta await advice," will reaoh them safely. Carl Hertz is booked as follows :— Open Kobe (Japan), April 23 ; Yokohama, May 3 ; Shangha?, 24 j Hongkong (return), June 10 : Singapore txaturnX June 17,— Yours truly, . _ JIBLET GULUVAN, ESfc.