SHORTAGE OF PIANOS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 24, 4 March 1942, Page 5

SHORTAGE OF PIANOS

WANTED FOR CAMPS

SEARCH BY PATRIOTIC COMMITTEES

There isi a shortage of pianos suitable for training camps and l the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council is making enquiries throughout its area in an endeavour tc purchase a number of these instruments. This week the secretary of Zone K (Whakatane and Opotiki counties and boroughs) has circularised district committees with a view to* ascertaining the availability of pianos which might be purchase ed to provide entertainment for" the troops.

boat reached Port Moresby, taking 12 days to cover 900 miles.

After 12 days at Port Moresby, the party boarded a ship which took 363 people to New Guinea, compared with the normal passenger list of 90 on the run to Brisbane. They landed at Cairns, where they were treated royally by the Red Cross.

Mr Luxton said that he had heard since his arrival of the safety of another New Zealander, the Rev. D. C. Alley, Sister V. Cameron, one of the party, Avho reaced Queensland after an adventurous trip in the schooner Fauro Chief, has arrived at Morrinsville where her home

The growing strength of the. defence of New Guinea was described by Mr Luxton, who said that the bombing raids numbered five during the 12 days of his party's stay, the average number of raiders being seven. He mentioned a ruse whereby the Japanese were made to drop bombs on a dump of petrol drums from which the petrol had been removed to safety. This dump was at Samarai Island, at the southern tip of New Guinea.

Speaking of the reaction of the Solomon Islanders to the Japanese bombing, Mr Luxton said the natives were so terrified when they returned to the areas attacked that they could not obtain a coherent account. "We tried to keep them calm, but some were filled with dread and with frightened eye. It was tragic to behold. They sometimes could scarce!}" speak for quivering and stammering."