A TRIP TO ENGLAND.

Rodney and Otamatea Times, Waitemata and Kaipara Gazette, 10 August 1932, Page 4

A TRIP TO ENGLAND.

. We received the following from the Rev. F. D. Hart, dated 28/6/32, as from Rochdale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, which our readers will fln4 of interest: —

We reached England on June 13th after an exceptionally good trip and one of great interest since we had the opportunity of visiting Sydney, Hobart, Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, Colombo. We saw one of our N.Z. missionaries here, who is in charge of the Girl's College, and incidentally 400 girl students—mostly Indian. Like New Zealand and Australia India, too, is suffering from the slump. Our next port of call was Aden, and then onto Port Suez. Whilst passing through the Suez we saw the monument of those men of the Empire whose graves lie in Egyptian soil. It is very simple and impressive, and takes the form of twin cenotaphs and stands on a hill near to Serapeum, where the Turks made their attempted crossing. Kantara, on the. Eastern bank, has lost all its war-time bustle, and is now the terminus for the railway to Europe. From Port Said we went on to Naples and a day excursion to Borne was arranged, together with a visit to the Vatican, and an auPience with His Holiness the Pope. Plymouth was reached early on the morning of the 12th, and London the-following-morning. '

Since our arrival we had the pleasure., of seeing the world-famous military tattoo, -and hep ring the massed bands numbering 2000 instruments, which sounded like some vast organ. In the great final Empire Pageant a N.Z. squad was represented and this received a special ovation from the audienceof 90,000. We have; also visited the centre of the ♦world's air transport at Croyden, and1 were shown all the largest British, French, Dutch and German machines, the size of which is beyond description. -We also- saw all the usual activities of the great air station. ■:•>■

■Whilst visiting London I saw the remains of the N.Z. wreath which was deposited on the cenotaph on Armistice Day, but which now rest s in the : Church of St. Clement's Danes. I .v. also saw the Warrior's Chapek: immediately . afte-r' it was opened jby; H.E'.HJ /thei'Prince of Wales. A number of .N.Z. mothers have, contributed pennies for this little sanctuary .near the unknown warrior's tomb in Westminster Abbey,l On the south wall is hung the armourial bearings of Great Britain and the Colonies, and N.Z.s is prominently, placed in the centre, and immediately under those of Great Britain's.

. Since our arrivalwe have found, that N.Z.s mutton, lamb; fruit, wool and honey is kept freely advertised before the public, as well as is the amount of products N.Z. purchases from the Mother Country. The new season's, apples are not being retailed, whilst, fruit and. meat are much dearer here.than in N.Z. All else is much cheaper;, • . • •

. One. still finds :a? cordial welcome and every .assistance from s the High Commissioner's office and staffs—the former is at present in Lausanne.

In conclusion benzine is only 1/1 per gallon: retail* and the whole of the TJ.E.;is linked up.with a luxurious motor coach-service; .and the cost of travelling on these; and on all trains, trams, etc., is ..id. per mile, and sometimes cheaper.

"We have reserved berths on the "Barapool" for the return voyage,, and are due to arrive in Sydney onGot:27th. ~~ ". ... •; ,-., »-,,

With all good wishes to all. . , Yours sincerely,. . .. . ■ F. D. Babt