TOURIST AND TRAVELLER.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Issue 1572, 10 June 1920, Page 4

TOURIST AND TRAVELLER.

The Wonder House of Surrey— Ottershaw Park, near Chertsey—which has a temple in each corner of the garden and an underground swimming bath, has been sold. The mansion, which was built for Mr. F. Eckstein, the South American millionaire, has a frontage of 375 ft. It was built in a year by 500 workmen.. When Mr. Eckstein bought the estate he ordered the old mansion to be demolished , and an entirely new one to be erected. No expense was spared to give the mansion one of the most magnificent interiors in England, while immense labour was expended on the terrace garden. At each corner of the garden a beautiful temple was built, and in the centre was placed a stone-framed mirror which reflects the midday sun. The clipped hedges and trees have taken over 80‘ years of care' to reach their present state. When the old building was being pulled down workmen found in the walls a number of wine casks which it is believed were left by smugglers in Nelson’s time. * * * * After presenting a number of military decorations in the presence of a large and distinguished gathering assembled to do him honour at Wickham Park, Brisbane, Sir Wm. Birdwood (the “Soul of Anzac”), in the course of a brief snd characteristic

speech stated that the Military Cross and Military Medal, a number of which he had presented that afternoon, had been instituted during the present war so that bravery in face of the enemy could be immediately rewarded. Men went into battle, he added, not fearing death, but with some apprehension as to what was to become of the wife and the kids. They were for Australia to look after —and Australia meant to look after tnem. On leaving the grounds General Birdwood was surrounded by crowds of cheering Diggers, and other admirers, and with difficulty made his way to his car.

The railway carriage in which the Prince of Wales spent some of his time while in New Zealand is entirely lined with beautiful rimu, the wood being most carefully matched, and with its new coat of varnish it makes a beautiful setting for the furnishings. The coach has been divided into three compartments. First comes a sittingroom, or lounge, carpeted in a blue mottled pattern axminster, saxe blue curtains at the windows, and a chesterfield and deep easy chairs upholstered in wool tapestry of an all-over design, in which the same blue predominates. A small dark table, behind the couch is the only piece of furniture that is not completely new. That particular table travelled with the Prince’s father, the present King, in the train which conveyed him through New Zealand. Light fawn and blue cushions are on the couches, and these show a design of the Prince of Wales feathers in white.