POINTS OF INTEREST.

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19805, 8 February 1936, Page 17 (Supplement)

POINTS OF INTEREST.

THINGB NOTIOED IN SYDNEY*. Fruit is very cheap. I have just bought the most delicious nectarines —with a flavour suoh as they never have in New Zealand —at 6d a dozen. Big juicy peaches and huge bananas are just as olieap, while one gets grapes almost for nothing. The telephone service is irritating. In the first place, one has to pay twopence for every ring made (that seems strange to a New Zealander), and then It is usually difficult to hear the person at the other end distinctly. It makes one realise how fortunate New Zealanders are In their telephone service. The lowest postage is twopence, while a letter-card costs To the New Zealander, used to penny postage. these rates seem unduly high. The street beggars—that is wliat they really are, though they usually “sing,” play an Instrument, or attempt to sell a little catch-line—do not appear to be as numerous in Sydney streets as they used to be. Is that a sign of more prosperous times? There is one little old lady whose quavering voice raised in “song” would touch the hardest heart. One notices the Impolitenes-s of people in the theatres- They push past one without an “ Excuse me ” or "I beg your pardon ” Every time one visits Sydney one is

impressed by the growth of Neon lighting. At night the streets are a veritable fairyland with these flashing coloured lights. The city is getting gayer and gayer.

There is a lot of building going on In Sydney, and one sees several skyscrapers nearing completion. An American on the Monterey said to me as we were coming up the harbour, “Look at the new buildings. Why, in my part of America, the erection of a building is quite an event.” The American voice is hard to get used to I Not only is it raucous and in many cases unpleasant, but it cannot be ignored, for the Americans judging by many of those heard on board the Monterey, speak very loudly. But Hie Sydney pressmen who boarded the they are charming people. There are thousands of New Zealanders in Sydney, most of them doing well too. One sees many familiar faces. Among former Hamiltonians I met yesterday were Mrs J. Griffiths i Nina Sqott), Marjorie Green, and Phyllis Anchor. All send greetings.

Calling at the Conservatorium yesterday i ran into Frank Hutchens, the pianist-composer. He was just back from a holiday in New Zealand and spoke enthusiastically of the Dominion (his home country) and its people. While over there he was busy on a new composition. Mr Hutchens plays a big part in the musical life of Sydney, and New Zealand should be proud of him.

“First you’ve got to ask me about your harbour,” said Charles Farrell to Monterey. “It’s But where are the sharks? I’ve been looking for them, and haven’t seen one.”

Underground Sydney fasoinates one. It is extending rapidly all the time. Take Wynyard tube station, for instance—a veritable township has grown up around it, with shops of all descriptions which are Just as attractive as those above ground. And the electric trains and trams are darting in and out every minute. It is a scene of tremendous bustle, all under the earth—a new aspect of Sydney life that impresses the New Zealander.

The little flower stalls on the streets, what splashes of brightness they provide. The flowers here are very beautiful, and one appreciates the lavish displays made on the footpaths’ edge. All the colours of the rainbow seem to be concentrated in these gay little patches.

How the famous bridge dominates the city! Coming in, the steamer passes under the bridge, and after arrival one is always getting fascinating views of it. It seems to vary from each angle. I love it in the mist of early evening, while at night it Is an’impressive sight with its rows of lights.