LUCKY NEW ZEALAND.

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18157, 23 October 1930, Page 3

LUCKY NEW ZEALAND.

COUNTRY A PARADISE. i THEATRE MANAGER’S IMPRESSIONS REFRESHING AFTER AUSTRALIA. “ Afler Australia and Tasmania, New Zealand seems a veritable paradise,” observed Mr Lionel Leary, who has come to Hamilton from Hobart, as ass:slant manager for Hamilton Theatres, Limited. What has impressed Mr Leary more than anything else since his arrival by the Aorangi, a few days ago, are the signs of prosperity and the apparent progress of the country, so far as he has seen it. He regards Auckland as one of the cleanest, most beautiful and one of : the most progressive cities in the Southern hemisphere. “We came here expecting to find something totally different. We rather anticipated finding a genial, slow going people, living in towns composed mainly ,of, old fashioned buildings in wood, of the early colonial type. Imagine our surprise," he said, “ on entering Auckland, to see buildings almost of the sky scraper type, and shops not to be equalled in any city in Australasia. One window display we saw in Queen Street was a revelation to us, and we both commented that it was superior to .Melbourne's or Sydney’s best.”

Beautiful Countryside. Another thing that has struck Mr and Mrs Leary is the refinement in the New Zealanders compared with Australians- The people here seem to them milder, smarter, fresher in appearance and healthier, while the children all appear to be sturdy, clean and healthy. Auckland, added Air Leary, possessed some beautiful homes and wonderful gardens, while the countryside through which they had passed on their journey to Hamilton, was one of the most delightful scenes it had been their pleasu: e to view. The glorious green of the pastures, the substantial homesteads, and the well stocked paddocks were something that did not exist anywhere else in Australasia. In Australia one could travel for hundreds of miles without seeing a single cow or other animal. New Zealand reminded him of a hunch of freshly cut flowers with the dew still on them compared with a bunch that had shed its lustie and was beginning to fade. This is his first visit to the Do-

minion, and lie considers New Zealanders extremely fortunate to be living in such a perfect little paradise. Although Mr and Mrs Leary as yet have had little time to look round •Hamilton, they are greatly taken with what they have seen of the place and are looking forward to their residence here. The contrast with Australia and Tasmania is so great they say, that reiteration of their surprise must be excused. They And the shops in Hamilton thoroughly modern, the public services excellent and the homes neat and apparently very comfortable. Mr Leary also considers the Hamilton Hotel much superior to Hardleys in Hobart and The Brisbane in Launceston —Tasmania’s two best hotels. Modern Picture Theatres.

Speaking of the picture theatres in Auckland and Hamilton, he said these' were modern in every way. The sound was excellent and the people running them seemed to know their business thoroughly. Mr Leary, who has been manager of His Majesty’s Theatre in Hobart, was formerly treasurer for J. C. Williamson’s at Melbourne. He was associated with Mr Ferg. Mason, manager for Hamilton Theatres, Limited, when Mr Mason was in Australia, and is now to act again as his assistant in Hamilton. Mr Leary does not consider that the legitimate stage will ever regain its former prestige. He predicts still further important advances in the talkie world. With Mr Mason he foreshadows drastic changes of policy in connection with the Hamilton theatres.