A Visitor's Impressions.

Otago Witness, Issue 2914, 19 January 1910, Page 16

A Visitor's Impressions.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —Before leaving the Dominion I desire, with your kind permission, to place on record not only my keen appreciation of the kindness and courtesy which have been extended to me* during my visit, but also to give the benefit cf my impressions and lessons that I have learned to those whose business it is to take note. I cannot speak too highly of the courtesy and attention of all the officers of the Union Company’s Moeraki, and the excellent arrangements made by them for the comfort and amusement of passengers. Truly this is a magnificent service, and equal to any of those that I have bad the pleasure of using in the Old World. It was indeed a revelation to me to view the magnificent panorama which commenced as we entered the Heads. The scenery up to Dunedin was something to be remembered. The sight of the beautiful hills, dotted with white houses, the green vegetation, and the waters lapping at the foot of those hills, was something that I enjoyed to the full. This being my first visit to the Dominion, I was naturally keen to test the reputation which this country has in Victoria as the most progressive country, or, as it is more popularly known, " God’s Own Country.” One of the first things that struck me was the magnificent electric tram service. This I consider far superior to our cable trams; the rapidity and regularity of transit is certainly a great feature of the system;. What appeared inexplicable was the fact that on two of the cable lines—Mornington extension—the trams do not run on a Sunday. The next feature of interest which claimed my attention was the truly palatial Railway Station, on which no doubt a great amount of money has been spent. 1 could not help comparing this structure with out brick and stucco Central Station, which has recently been completed at enormous .cost, but which is an offence to the eye, and not worthy of the country’s traditions. I must confess that I was very disappointed in the management of the Tourist Bureau. We in Victoria have alwavs looked upon the methods adopted by the New Zealand Government to give accurate information, etc., to visitors as worthy of tha highest praise and worthy of adoption. My experience is not likely to confirm this view. The guide issued! to. me by the bureau, and supposed to be the latest, is dated December, 1908, and the information which it contains was no doubt accurate enough on that date, but train and boat fares and times of departures, etc., have materially altered since then. This has .caused me and others great loss of time and inconvenience. To mention only one of my experiences: On inquiry at the bureau I was told that the return fare to Queenstown was 355, but when I asked the booking clerk at the station wihen taking my ticket ho informed! me that it w'as 425. I pointed out to him that I had been told by the officer at the bureau that it was only 35.5, and l on consulting some book he volunteered 1 the information that it ivas 345! Other visitors have had the same experience. I note that the Government has decided to raise the railway fares; but it seems to me —a passing visitor —that the services rendered 1 are totally inadequate for the present rates. The journey to Kingston is tedious enough, but when the discomforts met on the way are added, the traveller is not oyer anxious to repeat his experience. There are only two refreshment stations on this line —Clinton and Lumeden .Timetion. At Lumsden Junction the fare consists of buns, sandwiches, cakes, and a liquid to which the attendant gave the name ol tea. On the return journey the guard informed me that 25 minutes would be allowed for lunch at Lumsden Junction, but did not say that the lunch could be obtained at are hotel in the town, about five minutes away from the station (which I accidentally discovered afterwards), and ; consequently most of the travellers, now like myself to the peculiar ways of the Railway Department, went away hungry and disgusted. Why the information is not placed before travellers in such a. way that it cannot bo misunderstood is beyond my comprehension. Again, as the train stops at Gore—a. junction station—about 20 minutes, why is it not possible to obtain refreshments there? Considering that the train arrives there at lunch time, a first-class meal at the station seems to me a necessity. I think on a journey occupying about nine hours at least one substantial meal ought to be obtainable. The sanitary arrangements' on tbs train, and the ease with which the second class passengers evade the payment of first class fares whilst using first class compartments are matters which leave room for improvement. '■ ‘ •» , The la«t point I desire to note fifc the absence of' fish on the public dining tables. I understand that this is very plentiful and) cheap, and considering the magnificent streams, etc., that abound, I was painfully surprised at its omission from the menu. Notwithstanding the above, I have enjoyed my visit very much. Apologising for the length of this letter, —I am etc,, January 7. Melbourne Visito®,