GLAD TO BE BACK

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 196, 8 November 1927, Page 9

GLAD TO BE BACK

TWO AUCKLANDERS RETURN

FAME OF NEW ZEALAND’S FISH Even the charms of Sydney and Melbourne could not woo Mr. F. Hobday and Mr. F. P. Williams from th-eir first love—Auckland. Mr. Hobday is assistant manager of John Court, Limited, and Mr. Williams display manager. Both have been for | a six weeks’ trip to Sydney and Melbourne, but both are glad to be back again. “Yes, Sydney and Melbourne arc wonderful,” said Mr. Williams, “but it was splendid to see Rangitoto looming up this morning, and . . . I’m glad to be back.” Mr. Hobday says that the fame of New Zealand’s big fish has created a wonderful impression in Australia. “While I was in Melbourne,” he said, “I showed the people there some pictures of Mr. Alf. Court fishing, with some of the Fish he had caught... They were so impressed that they asked permission to keep the pictures, which are to be published in one of the Melbourne papers.” Both Mr. Hobday and Mr. Williams said that the ferry boat disaster created a feeling of horror in Sydney. “It was an appalling sight,” said Mr. Williams. "We saw the divers at work. When the Marama passed the spot where the disaster ocurred, the ship slowed down and flags were flown at lialf-mast, as a mark of respect. Captain Davey, master of the Marama, remarked that he did not wish to disturb the water where the divers were working.” Mr. Williams was particularly interested in the window displays of the leading shops in Sydney and Melbourne and he went across with a view to collecting ideas and knowledge. “There is certainly something to be learned in Sydney and Melbourne,” he said, “but I have returned with more confidence in my own work than previously. I think in Auckland we compare very favourably with the display work in Australia.

“Quite a feature of the display work in Australia are the windows and showcases in hotels and in the vestibules of the picture theatres. In Melbourne, particularly, the various salons are very noticebale. In Collins Street there are from eight to ten salons showing only one frock in each window, after the London and Continental style. The models were English, French and Continental, and they were not marked at a low figure,” said Mr. Williams. “Ladies’ frocks and millinery are much dearer in Australia than they are here. “The past season has not been good in Melbourne as the Court was in mourning. All Vice-Regal functions were cancelled and the Governor and his suite appeared only in a private capacity, consequently the large drapery stores were rather let down.” Mr. Hobday remarked that in both Sydney and Melbourne business was rather slow* and the people were looking forward to Christmas.

The narrow streets in Sydney were also the subject of comment from Mr. Williams. He found Melbourne much more to his liking and the city very beautifully laid out.