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Drink More, Dance Less

"We had afternoon toy in that smouky den you call the caf," said one of the girls when I asked a group for impressions of New Zealand and Wellington in particular. They found Wellington cold and windy but were most impressed with the new science block.

After a trip around Wellington by night they said the views were "wonderful" and could not think of anything to compare them with but the wind "on what's that you call it—Mount Victoria, would nearly blow you into the middle of next week."

Wellington was enchanting, and more like a city than Auckland which gave the impression of an Australian backwoods town.

New Zealand parties are much the same as those in Australia except there is perhaps more drink here and certainly less dancing.

They could not reconcile themselves to the way the boys stand in a corner for the first hour of any party and talk about—wait for it—rugby!

Wellington shops and fashions compare favourably with Melbourne and are certainly far ahead of any they saw elsewhere in New Zealand.

The Weir boys are the same as "men students anywhere."

Wellington's harbour is not as interesting as Auckland's but the surroundings are prettier.

Of life in general they said the prices of luxuries seemed very high in New Zealand but essentials appeared reasonable. They found Australians were held in high esteem and thought perhaps it was the carm of the unknown.

Sydney and Melbourne have the same city conflict they saw between Wellington and Auckland. They were most amused by the North-South rivalry and were always afraid fists would fly.

To them Tournament was just Tournament—they wished that they could have the same in Australia instead of just a series of separate inter-varsity sporting fixtures—except of course they say the term "varsity" is not used in Melbourne. Shop, and Uni are more common.

When asked their impressions of various items, they answered:

"Class distinction—not as extreme as in Australia. The slums are not as bad here though the good houses are not as good.

Males—courteous, better dancers. They drink as well, sing as well but their clothes are too conservative.

Trains—reasonable and comfortable, and not as cold as Australian ones. (They travelled first class).

Buses—comfortable and good, especially in the cities.

Cable Car—"priceless," a museum piece.

Wellington trams—"prehistoric," worse than Sydney's ever were.

Wellington streets—good on the hole.

Girls—Auckland: typical country bumpkins; Wellington: more sophisticated; South Island: charming.

Football—Drive you crazy; Sports Post, nutty.

The only condition they gave me these opinions was that I did not publish them till they had left Auckland on the return journey!

—D.S.C.