AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Illustrated Magazine, Volume IV, 1 April 1901, Page 567

AUSTRALIA.

Preparations en a colossal scule of magnificence, which have attracted the attention of the Times, are being made in Melbourne for the reception of the royal guests. The spirit of rivalry which has always been dominant between the two great cities of the Commonwealth is spurring the capital of Victoria into almost superhuman efforts to make the coming spectacle one which will sui'pass anything ever seen even in such a progressive and pleasure-loving colony as Australia. The opening of the Federal Parliament by H.R.H. the Duke of Cornwall and York is an opportunity for display which will not occur again, and our friends across the water naturally wish to take the fullest possible advantage of it.

The fresh outbreak of plague in Sydney and Brisbane is a matter much to be deplored at any time, but after the precautions taken and the cleansing of the city of Sydney, which took place on the previous occasion, the present outbreak should neither assume such alarming proportions nor be so difficult of suppression, notwithstanding the predictions of many alarmists, who, on the first appearrnce, quoted cases, which are

ancient history, and from them foretold that a certain period after the first mild attack there would be another which would bo decimating in its intensity, forgotting entirely the difference in the present state of civilization and sanitation and that of the period from which they drew their examples.