New Britain herald., 1925-08-01


 for the mechanical division of th, canal zone., Here Is also one of tn, largest drydocks in the world anc one of the largest coaling stations of It's kind in the world.
 "The town of Balboa is where al the head officials of the canal zone have their offices In the adminlstra, ton building up on Balboa Heights There is also canal zone clubhouse where the famous Red, White ant Blue troop of the canal zone come, from. and which under the dlrec, ton of such swimming instructor as Mr. Crieser has produced some ot the finest swimmers in the world to. day. The Red, White and Blue troop was represented In tho last Olympic games at Paris.
 Next to Balboa, comes the village i of Ancon, which in my opinion has the finest hospital in the world and , is owned by the United States gov. ernment. Situated on Ancon hill it overlooks Balboa, Miraflores Locks Corozal, Pedro Miguel, Panama City and the Ray of Panama. There is Ia beautiful sea breeze from the Pa ciflc ocean and 1t is really a very in tcresting place to visit. The gover- nor of the Canal Zone and com manding general of the Canal Zone forces of the U. s. army have their residences on Anocn Heights.
 Tn Panama Bay there Is some wonderful fishing as 1t swarms with the finest Spanish mackerel, red snapper, corbina and 8 dozen other kinds of fish that can be hooked by rod and reel. Tarpoon fishing at Gatun spilIway Is said to be the best in the world.
 Every year we go into the jungle on maneuvers, and, as am in the motor transport company we have to transport troops and food sup plies.
 The jungle, only a few hours journey from the canal, is full of deer, pigs, tapir, wild turkey pheas- ant, quail, pigeon. lions, tiger cats, | etc. Another animal which Is small and is in captivity now is the gato- solo, It Is a vicious animal and dan gerous with it's poisoned bite. The English name for this animalis bush English name for this animal is bush pet once it gets to know you. Honey bears, and muma sets parrots, monkeys, raccon, and many others are plentiful here in the jun 1 gle. All this can be seen when we are driving through part Of the jun gle.
 Panama City in way is a very interesting place, with its cathedral and other fine buildings. It is built in Spanish mission style, its narrow streets are thickly populated by peo- pie of all nationalties in the world. There Is an excellent 19 hole golf course in the Savanas, about four miles from the City Of Panama. Then about 80 minutes walk from the city we have the famous bull ring, where bull fights were held regularly up to the end of 1923, where they were stopped on account of one of the bull fighters being gored to death.
 Below the bull ring ts the newly built San Juan race course. I have passed it many times. But, as it does not interest mel never did go in. Above, seven miles from the city, there is wonderful large, sea bath ing beach, called Bella-Nista, where hundreds visit all the year around Another sea beach is at Toboga Is land, out in the Panama Bay.
 Then we come to the ruins of old Panama with its shell holes castle, bridge and grounds, which was de- stroyed by Morgan nearly 250 years ago.
 Beyond this, one can drive to Tacoma and Cheps. small native vil- lages which are pretty well out in the jungle. We also have the old fortifications of Porto Belle and Fort San Lorenzo, which are places of interest, Also San Miguel.
 Farther back, about so miles from the Canal, there are Indians. which have never been conuuered, and still hold the land on which their ancestors were living in the days of Columbus.
 The tropics have been cleared of yellow and black fever and many other diseases. About the only trou- ble now is what is called tropical rot and malaria fever. The latter in many or most cases is contracted through going too far out in the jungle without the necessary quinine. l have had malaria four times since living here, but am now regaining health, although still feel the effects of malaria.
 "The army and navy baseball league comprising ten teams from the various military posts on the Canal Zone and the submarine base at Coco-solo, has playing season. all through the dry season from De- cember to April, Boxing is also very popular on the canal zone and re- public. The dry season extends from December to April and the wet season from May until about the middle of December.
 Last, but not least, the present city of Panama is 25o years old, and in my opinion the climate Is won- derful. The temperature ranges from about 90 degrees in the heat of the day, to about 75 degrees with very, little seasonahle variation. We are very close 10 the equator here. being only about 10 degrees away" nAxM~-,t -AxwA-wW-xv MA