"MARVELLOUS CITY."

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13651, 20 July 1908, Page 3

"MARVELLOUS CITY."

BURGOMASTERS' VIEWS OX LONDON". Dr. Aduk'.t--, Chief liurgomaskT of Frankfurl-on-Main, in an int-erven- willi Heuter's representative in May last, said : "English hospitality, famed I lie world over, led us to expect a warn! reception. What we have experienced fur surpasses our expectations. 'J lie .sincere joy and cordiality -which aye met with without restriction from everybody with whom wq came in contact", the splendour of the festivities, the copiousness of the programme set before us—almost too large 3. one for the small space of iime» we had to spend in the jinosi- glorious spring weather, in the marvellous London, and its splendid environs, the instructive gliiupsos afforded us of such manifold branches of Statu and municipal adminis- ■ ration, will remain unforgettable to <vcry German participant i)i the visit to England. "High above everything;, however, is opinions and intentions of our amiable hosts. 2\ot oii'v the official tiddretises, but also the manysided personal conversations. were peruiea'eJ with this idea. 'We want to live in peace and concord with Germany, and we detest all endeavours calculated to create discord ; peaceful competition in the domain of civilisation and commerce promote the interests of both countries.' Miuisteis, officials, -savants, merchants, with whom we. associated. all shared this opinion. " There is 110 need' to especially emphasise the fact) that by far the greater part of the German people is of exactly the same mind, and the value of llitae personal meetings lies in this—thai one can assure oneself on both sides that the agreement of opinions is mm h moie farreaching than is ofk-n thought. To take such an assurance homo with one is an inestimable gain for the people, both politically and comnt-rcially. "The British Committee of the Society for the Study of Foreign Municipal Institutions, our munificent hosts, has conferred a lasting service on the good relations between Great- Britain and Germany. "The hospitality in particular with which the King not only personally received the German visitors, but a.so entertained t'lteai, proved that the wish to i-liow us distinction prevailed even in the highest place:; in England." Dr. Mattes, Burgomaster of Stuttgari, in the course of an interview, add : " Had I briefly to describe the impression I received in. London. I sfiouiu before all say it was an impression of the stupendous, tho powerful, that this vtwl town with its enormous traffic and its strongly .pulsating life made on nie —this' town, which must, liil everyone who sees it for the first time as 1 did with astonishment and admiration. -And notwithstanding the iminem-:e U-affic in .what a safe and orderly way tho whole course of life and work proceeds! I vill refrain from describing what an excellent impression the polico here made on me, although the ' sUid- of police arrangements has a special interest for me and for our town, because the question of reorganising the force has been raised there, it being hoped that the force will be improved and elevated by its being tratiilerred from the control of the communal to that of the State authorities —wrongly, .as 1 think myself, and as the excellent police administration here proves. !3 My interest was especially excited by the public parks here, not. only in regard to their extent, but also to the way in , which they are laid out, and last of all the way they a,re made use of by the public. "While parks iu Gerniany j are kept, to a great- extent for the eye, aud too great importance is in some rei pects attached to taste in gardening and to the laying out of flower beds, the parks here are kept not. only to look at, but also to use. The way the public move about on the green turf, ioiming groups here and there, and realty use the parks as' places of recreation, please me extraordinarily. AVc Germans can still learn a lot here, aud I have gained many a. valuable hiuu " Yet another word about the value of our visit for the relations between England and Germany. 1 expect- great vame and great benefit from it for a rapprochement and lor friendly relations between the two nations." Herr vou Borscht, Chief Burgomaster of .Munich, expressed the following opinion : " 1 am sure than this visit wilt ao much good, for it will give Germany a better idea of what England ically is. The two peoples —both ol Teutonic origin —must stand together. The British nation, even on tnd verge of conquest, has never trampled upon loteign ctuture, but has ever promoted it. u e have learnt much during our visit, and I liave ueen particularly struck with many leaturui ol .your English life. 'J he public seems to display great self-control, and pracucaliy regulates itself apparently without tho aid ol the police, as witu. us. The sale condition of your streets, the pouceness of the police, and the absence ol military methodii among them appeal much to me. As to the City of Loudon, 1 was deeply impressed with its dignified and traciiiional abmosphere, in spi.e of wlich there id everywhere progress*. This combination is remarkable, and seems to me typical of your English life eveivwhere. Socially the amiable, natural, and modest l>eaiing of English people, aiid the entire absence of restraint- or stiffness, I lound delightful." -tieit Wielandt, Burgomaster of Heidelberg, said: "Our visit can only lend to closer relations and t-o a still better understanding, the improvement in which direction has already been .most, marked. The excellent condition of tJie roads and Ihe splendid regulation of the traflic have impressed us much. Tlie visit is of great importance for t-ha whole of Germany, and not alone for the towns which have been represented. 1 inuj much impressed by the gicater liberty people iu London seem to enjoy. The closer connection between hoik and recreation m Loudon is a matter for thought, producing, as it does, so much greater working pO