IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

Otago Witness, Issue 3803, 1 February 1927, Page 38

IN THE MEDITERRANEAN.

LONDON, November 30. Mr Robert Bell left England in search of sunshine, and he seems to have found it at Algeciras. In a letter just received he writes—- “ From mv balcony window, I look down upon the garden. In it is a mass of subtropical vegetation. There are date palms, pines, orange trees bearing their golden harvest, and flowers in full bloom, even in this the winter season. _ By the window a great bougainville has climbed, arid attracts many hued buterflies. Beyond, over the stone narapet, the waters of the Bay of Gibraltar ebb and flow. ’“Five miles away the white tipped waves of the bay are guarded by the Rock of Gibraltar, which pushes its huge bulk into the blue waters of the Mediterranean. ‘The Rock.’ that great stategic stronghold of Britain, stands, an emblem of the solidity, perseverance, and greatness of the British people. Over 200 years ago Britain wrested this supreme maritime point of vantage from Spain Then, if Britain was to gain and hold the command of the seas, this action was necessary. To-day. of what value is it’ To that question I have failed to receive an adequate answer. ‘Prestige.’ some say. ‘A naval and military base.’ say others. However, there it is. and to the British mind if is unthinkable that the error of Heligoland should be repeated here. - . “To the stranger entering its gates, the town of Gibraltar in anuearance is more Spanish than British. That is not so. for the people, both those of Spanish and British descent, are pro id of the fact that thev are Gibraltians. The town has every appearance of being well administered. The streets, although narrow, and winding, are clean and well-paved. The amenities, too, have not been overlooked, for on the foreshores of the bay. embankments have been built., seats placed and trees planted. A good water supply has been provided, sanitation of the most approved kind installed and other modern appliance® of nresent-day civilisation, thus making Gibraltar a town verv livable to reside in. “In sharp contrast to this state of affairs the visitor need only cross the neutral ground lying between Gibraltar and the nearest Sp'> r, ish town. La Lines, to observe. the • difference. In .La Linea it is at once rinparorit that there is not the same civic pride. The . streets are dirty and the whole town has an air of unkemptness. There is n look of novertv about the place although living is cheap because the people for the most. part, shoo in Gibraltar, where goods of all kinds are obtainable at low costs.- The Customs officials, however, exercise great vigilance and it is one of the spectacles of the place to witness long Queues of people, mostly women, waiting their- turn at. the gates to have their purchases examined.’’ Mr Bel] is now exploring Andalueia.