A VISITOR'S IMPRESSION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2715, 28 March 1906, Page 81

A VISITOR'S IMPRESSION.

Quite a number of Australians have been passing to amd fro in our midst during the past few days, one of the most prominent, perhaps, being Mr J. J. Holmes, the representative for East Fremantle in the West Australian Legislature. Four years ago he was Minister of Railways, which portfolio he held during the Leake Ministry's tenure of office. The present is Mr Holmes's second visit to New Zea.la.nd, and on this occasion he is accompanied by his brother, Mr W. J. Holmes, and both gentlemen are now concluding a three months' tour through this colony. On hearing of their presence in our midst, a Daily Times representative called upon Mr J. J. Holmes at the Grand Hotel, and,, although very closely pressed for time, he chatted gaily about his trip through New Zealand. On being asked the object of his present visit, he said: — "My ohief object in coming to New Zealand was to benefit my health with a course of baths at Rotorua, for which purpose we stayed there six weeks. The trouble with Australians is that their systems get choked up with uric acid, and they require to come down to New Zealand to get braced up again." Mr Holmes added that he had been benefited very much Indeed. He was suffering from "nerves," and his brother from rheumatism, but both were now set up again for another year in Australia. "Just here," Mr Holmes added, " I would like to say that I think it would be hard to frnd a place in the world to surpass Rotor ua for either pleasure or health-seekers. If you want to go for a drive you can always find a party ready to go. If you want to go boating, fishing, or shooting it is the same. If one wishes to have a game at bowls, tennis, or cricket there are always people waiting to join in, a/ntl if one wants a mental stimulus there are always plenty of well-informed people from all parts of the word with whom to exchange ideas. There a man can get anything he wants, and it is iust the sort of holiday the average Australian requires about every three years." Mr Holmes said that after leaving Rotorua they went to Taumaranui, and thence down the r>ver to Wangauui, where they 6pent a few days : thpnee to Wellington, and straight to Queonstown and the lakes. " I believe that to be the best way to do," he added. "Go first to Rotorua and the surrounding country, "and then work southwards, finishing up with the bracing atmosphere of the lakes district. Although I had visited New Zealand previously, the present was mv first visit to Queenstown, and it charmed me greatly. Nature has indeed beon very bountiful in her gifts to this colony, but in regard to advertising the lakes district, and Queenstown particularly, the- TouT^t Department seems to me to be much behindhand. The district is not boomed enough," continued Mr Holmes. "Fully half the tourists who visit New Zealand evcy year are Australians, of whom a comparatively small number visit Qupeuotown. Considering that the place is only one rlav's iourney from cither Dunedin rvr the Bluff. I am surprised that its attractiveness is so little known to Austral i a us.

" Considering t.he size of the oountiv and the number of inhabitants. I think," eaid Mr Holm.cs, " the railway systfim as a whota 13 wry cood. and I was well pleased with the facilities for travel, and I think t}so iiotol accommodation is excellent."

Cvun^rning matters political Mr Holme. 5 tWl.i •"• 1 to W drawn evading compart 'on> v. Hi a skill born of nine, years parliamfutary oxpexienoe in Australian politico. " I may have something to say about N<>n Z^-alarxl when I get back, but meanwhile I will only say that whereas you havo advantau'PS in certa. n directions son ato have (li=advantag°= from whioh wo aio immune. For insta.'jje, you have a glorious rainfall, which ensuies abundant grass all

the year round, but that induces hingwonn in your sheep, a trouble -we never hear about. However, I may say I am charmed with the impressions gained . during my sojourn here, amd I feel wonderfully benefited in health. X)ur future movements are' somewhat uncertain, and will be guided largely by ■circumstances. It is probable that we shall return to Auckland, via the East Coast, Visiting the Otira and Buller Gorges and Nelson en route. The visitors leave for the north by the first express to-day.