WARE SPIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 87, 5 August 1942, Page 5

WARE SPIES

A STORY OF ENEMY AGENTS IT HAPPENED AT MATATA

The peaceful routine of sleepy little Matata by the lagopn, was rudely disturbed last week-end when the rumour went round that this little seaside gem had been especially selected for an operational base by a band of desperate Nazi and/or Jap Fifth Go'lumnisbs. For the best part of a day those in the 'know' met furitively in doorways and discussed their secret knowledge.

The 'low down' briefly was as follows: A well known farmer on the Plaiins noticed last Saturday that a definite number of Hashes were coming from the liills at the back of Matata township and were ostensibly pointing seawards. When his suspicions were confirmed by an ex H.G. officer now on the permanent staif, things began to .move. Telephones buzzed and the most trusted of the Home Guardsmen were drawn in secret conclave and a plan of action agreed upon. The flashes were seen to be coming in regular dot-dash rotation but the anxious observers were unable to piece together any definite message. Naturally it was thought that a code was being utilised and that the deciphering would be a matter for the secret service, once the culprits were captured. A rough inspection was made but without result.

On Sunday the flashes once again continued Avithout intermission. Two or three of the foremost enthusiasts (including the original observer) marked the spot and actually beat over every inch of the hillock upon which the signals were supposed to have been operating. All to no aA T ail —but what a shock was in store for the investigators- Avhen the self-same settler's Avife announced that the flashes had continued throughout the whole, of the time of their absence. Coming outside she pointed an accusing linger to the glin'ts of light going on even more merrily than before.

This was beyond a joke. A powerful telescope was* requisitioned and it was noted that every other flash showed a reddish light. The plot thickened. The telescope was taken nearer and disclosed a power line leading through the property. The observers went nearer too and followed the line to the offending point

once again

Glancing up the disgusted trio noted a bit of tin red one side and bright silver on the O'ther suspended from tlie line by a piece of string. The Avind, blew it happily from side to siide and the mystery Avas solved.

Once more Ave have the übiquitous 'small boy' to blame for the latest case of "much ado about nothing."