BACK FROM AUSTRALIA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3531, 23 May 1912, Page 2

BACK FROM AUSTRALIA.

A SIX WEEKS’ TOUR. MR. T. G. LAWLESS’ RETURN. “I had a splendid trip—beautiful weather and calm seas,” remarked Mr T. G. Lawless last evening to a. Gisborne Times reporter apropos of his trip to Australia- from which he returned yesterday morning. Accompanied by Airs Lawless, Air Lawless left- Gisborne for Sydney about six weeks ago. He remained, a fortnight in New South V ales, visiting the scenic spots in the Blue Mountains, including the Grand Canyon, Lura Falls, Wentworth Falls, and the Valley of Waters. He also went to Mount York and saw the paraffin shale works owned by the British Imperial Oil Company. There is a basilisk at Alount A ork upon which is an inscription showing that the main road through the Blue Alountains was completed in 1813. It was formed in six months by 28 men. Mr Lawless also went to G-ovett’s Leap, a beautiful fall some 520 feet m height. , After visiting Alanlj*, Mr Lawless said that her had a look at* the Australian Museum, in which is the stern plate of the ship Resolution in which Captain Cook made his second voyage round the world. An inscription on the plate states that the Resolution left England on July 9, 1772, and returned in July, 1775,, and in addition there is a portrait engraved of Captain Cook. Mr and Airs Lawless later went to Melbourne, visiting St. Kilda- and various other places of interest. “Business iff Australia,” said Mr Lawless, “is fairly prosperous, but a drought is being experienced, and unless rain sets in it will have a very detrimental effect in commercial circles. Dairy cattle are selling very cheaply in New South Wales, even as low as 9s per head.” Mr Lawless returned to New Zealand by the Maunganui, and while in Australia and the South of New Zealand he took a great interest in municipal affairs. Invercargill, he said, had just installed four miles of track for the overhead electric system, and the cars had been running about two months. They had taken £65 during the first week, but since then the revenue had fallen t-o about £2O . a week. The trams were rapidly being extended to the suburbs, and when these extensions were completed they would undoubtedly pay.