NEWS OF THE DAY

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 123, 27 May 1942, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Experience In Pacific \ "The American soldiers artid sailors I have met In the Pacific wish to see the war out to the finish," said Sergeant C. G, Hunt at the weekly luncheon of the Hamilton Rotary , Club. "They are a grand lot, weil equipped, and show no signs of boasting/' Sergeant Hunt has been . in the Pacific for the past 14 months. Coal From Weatport Between 80 and 100 tons of coal j are now being hauled daily from Westport over the new railway through the Buller Gorge. The opening of the line, although it has not been officially handed over to the Railway Department yet, has proved a boon to Westport already, especially with the shortage of shipping occasioned by. the war. Children in E.P.S. School pupils who wish to act as E.P.S. communication runners must satisfy their headmaster and the school committee that their parents approve. This was decided by the Wellington Education Board when a ruling was sought by an E.P.S. official at Lower Hutt. Previous instructions from the board had laid on headmasters the responsibility of seeing that children returned home Immediately » 'state of emergency was declared. Where the headmaster was a member of the Home Guard, it was decided that an assistant should be deputed to take charge of the safety of school children. Enjoyed It The fame of the Maori Battalion as bayonet fighters is world-wide, and after witnessing one member of the native race in action at Palmerston North on Saturday, many people ceased to wonder why, states the Manawatu Standard. In the demonstration of bayonet fighting, the men, alter a short run, were given the order to charge. Yelling louder than anyone, gesticulating and contorting his face, the expression of one husky native as he effected the "kill" was enough to causo the stoutest' heart to quail, but as he looked up at the admiring crowd his face wore a broad smile. He had provided a thrill, and as a lesson in what a bayonet fighter has to do It was superb. Educating the Army In its educational planning the army should have no lack of teachers to undertake instruction work, according to educational authorities In Auckland. Not only have some hundreds of men from the primary schools and the Teachers' Training College joined the forces, but the number of those from the secondary schools and colleges and from the university runs into scores. The Seddon Memorial Technical College alone reports that 19 men out of a total of 32 on the staff when the war broke out are now in uniform, these Including the chief science master and masters from all departments. It Is felt that full advantage should be taken of any and every opportunity to train and educate the soldiers to propare them to take their full part in civilian life when the war is over.

Indonesia Residents The Netherlands Consulate in Wellington requests non-Netherlands persons In New Zealand who have recently come from the Netherlands Indies and were officially classed as residents in that country, to communicate with the Consulate. Wearing Shoes On Leave The Army Department states that, while boots are part of the standard issue to soldiers, shoes are not, and till quite recently soldiers on leave were required to wear boots and gaiters. Now, however, permission has been granted for them to wear shoes without gaiters when on leave, but the shoes will not be supplied by the army. Women Set a Record Women took the place of men at the Bruce Bay (Otago) sawmill last week in the hooking on of slings of timber for loading Into the punts by -which cargo is conveyed to vessels In the roadstead. It is from a bank known as "The Rock" that the slings are swung, and the women did an excellent job, setting $ new record in the dispatch of timber. Parcels For the Troops Whether the cost of supplying parcels of foodstuffs for New Zealand prisoners of * war overseas should be borne by the Government instead of, as at present, by the patriotic funds subscribed by the public, is a question at present receiving a good deal of attention by various committees concerned. It was recently stated that this responsibility represents the greatest drain on patrotic funds, over £0000 per weetc being expended in this direction. It is recognised, however, that such parcels should continue to go forward, as It is believed that the men otherwise are not adequately fed. The view taken that this should be a Government responsibility Is one of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council has decided to submit to the Government. 44 Churchill Auctions" Appeal .The "Churchill Auctions" appeal has already brought in a number of books and articles of historic interest, and these Include a letter by the late Rudyard Kipling, the signature of the late Lord Jellicoe under the letter head of H.M.S. Iron Duke, a letter from the late Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, two very old card cases (one in mother-of-pearl and gold mounted), and a copy of Kirk's "Forest Flora of New Zealand," presented to the Bishop of Salisbury by Richard John Seddon and signed In his characteristic flowing handwriting. Mr. Pat Lawlor, hon. organiser for these patriotic auctions to be held in the four centres, is engaged in forming committees in each of the four centres to promote the appeal for rare books, documents, are treasures, and valuable curios. After committees have been formed in Auckland and Hamilton, Mr. Lawlor i will visit the leading provincial ■ towns. "The auctions will have no 1 s£ ! le aspect." said Mr. Lawlor. The assistance of experts has been i obtained. Historical and even repair i committees have been set up to see t that everything will be put up in real Christie style'