MONTE CARLO'S RIVAL.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 9894, 26 January 1911, Page 2

MONTE CARLO'S RIVAL.

Up till the present time Monte Carlo, the gambler's paradise, has had no serious rival, The enormous profits that have been realised by this well-known resort for tlie rank and fashion of the world have tempted many towns in Europe,such as Osteud, Spa, Boulogne, Trouville, Vichy, Aix-les-Baius, etc , to follow in its footstepH—and tlie ventures have amply justified their promotion. "_lt has, however, been left for an enterprising aud far-Beeing group of financiers, the Anglo-Adriatic Syndicate, Limited, to grasp the enormous possibilities that are offered in this direction by tlie beautiful island of Corfu, fitly called "the Island Pearl of tlie Adriatic." This syndicate has acquired the controlling interest in the New Grand Casino, and the investment which their shares offer is one of a particularly attractive nature.

In the first plice, the world's Press has been particularly active recently in depicting the sharms aud wonderful natural beauties ol this captivating little island. Visitors who have spent holidays there have beeu lavish in their praise of its seductive charm. Oue of the many to fall a victim to Corfu's attractiveness, was that keen connoisseur of art aud uature, the German Emperor, who acquired the magnificent Imperial palace, the Anhilleou, which contains almost priceless art treasures. The Kaiser aunually visits his Adriatic palace, often accompanied by other European Royalties, aud bringing a distinguished retiuue of visitors iv his train. It will be remembered that last year our own late beloved King Edward visited the Kaiser there. Auother frequent visitor is the King of Greece, who has a pavilion in the islaud. There cau be no doubt that the attraction presented to the sporting and smart set by the New Casino will result in a constant stream of visitors from all the fashionable quarters of Europo aud America. Corfu itself is but a comparatively small island some forty miles in leugth by twenty iv width, and is generously endowed with flowers and palms. It has about seventy thousand inhabitants, of whom about twenty thousand are resident in the towu itself. The usual Mediterranean commerce is followed by the population, but as time goes ou, and the popularity of the island increases as a pleasure resort, this will naturally give way to the more remunerative business of catering for the tourists, artists and the euormous army of the leisured rich iv search of fresh health or recuperatiou. Corfu is admittedly a laud of sunshine aud luxuriant verdure; aud as its beauties become better known, so will the number of visitors increase. It will naturally be the aim of the Anglo-Adriatic Syndicate to put before the travelling public the natural beauties of the island in which their property is situated, and they will spare uo expense in this direction. Fortunately, Corfu is a genuine "beauty-spot," aud it can bo well assured that every visitor will invariably reuew his acquaintance with the island once he lias beeu there. Robert Hitchens sppaks of the "call of the desert," and we are convinced that lovely Corfu will exercise a "call" that it will be difficult to resist.

The capital of the Monte Carlo enterprise has now readied the total of £3,120.000.

The promoters state ti.o v - they have every reasou to expect to declare a dividend of oue hundred per cent, on the first year's business. At first sight this statemeut sounds rather too good to be true, aud oue has intermingled visious of castles in Spain aud Aladdin's Cave; but if all the circamstances are reviewed, aud the enormous possibilities offered by the at preseut unexploited island are taken into consideration, the estimate of the Syndicate is not unduly optimistic after all.