FROM SUNNY SPAIN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20107, 28 March 1928, Page 6

FROM SUNNY SPAIN

A WANGANUI VISIT LIFE-LONG ASSOCIATION’S WITH BARCELONA. From Barcelona on the shores of the blue Alediterranean comes Air John Parsons who has been visiting relatives in Wanganui. Having lived practically all his life in Spain, where he direct; large business interests, Air Parsons ii thoroughly enjoying his two months' stay in New Zealand, and although ne longer a young man he is wonderfully, active, as his record among the anglers at Taupo has recently proved. Spending his early boyhood in England and finishing his education in Germany, Air Parsons went to Spain at the, early age of 16 years, his intention at that time being to remain there for a

short period while he learned the language. But in Aladrid he was engaged by a German firm and after two year® of commercial life, transferred his activities to Barcelona where he established commission agencies and soon, built up a flourishing export trade With the Philippine Islands. Ther came war and the Philippines flew the American flag; the changed conditions causing a vastly altered business organisation. He went to Manila and established a business there, but returned to Barcelona later leaving his sons to carry on the interests established in the Philippines. Happy among his small circle of friends in Barcelona, and called on fro quently by distinguished visitors ta ’hat part of Spain, Air Parsons speak* in glowing terms of his adopted coilßtry. He has a fine residence on one of the wide and picturesque promenades of the city, and having retired from active business in 1911 he is now enjoying the fruits of his labours. Barcelona has a population of a million people, has underground railways and extensive electrical connections of all sorts, so that his surroundings arc thoroughly up-to-date. With the establishment of the regime of Priino de Rivera about 10 years ago, the country has made rapid strides along the pathway of progress, deputies and senators having been appointed and the old politicians and their systems of graft relegated to the archives of the past. Finances have always been balanced with a deficit, but with the dose of the war in Aforocco an improvement was effected and the country has now finished its annual period with a credit. 'The English community in Barcelona only numbers 500 or 600 people, but there is a very fine British Chib, and an Anglican church has recently been established. Games such as are indulged in, jn this country are played in Barcelona, football, golf and lawn tennis being quite popular. In climate Barcelona has much in common with new Zealand although the summers in the Spanish city may be a little hotter. During his visit to Wanganui Mr Parsons has been the guest of his sister Miss Parsons and his niece Airs N. B. Barkman. He has made two trips to Lake Taupo, and on tho second occasion secured a total of 188 fine fish in seven days. Air Parsons leaves Wellington on Saturday next cn route for Alanila, but he has prospects of returning to “this beautiful country” in the ntxir future.