The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1945

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 44, 30 January 1945, Page 4

The Bay of Plenty Beacon Published Tuesdays and Fridays. TUESDAY, JANUARY 30, 1945

Local and General

Defence After the War "I do not know what New Zealand will do for national defence after the war but let us remember that we have Lpst two generations of youth because Ave trusted other things rather than our strong right ams to defend ourselves" said Admiral of the Fleet Lord Keyes at the civic reception tendered him and Lady Keyes at Invercargill. He added that he hoped that after the war New Zealand would play its full part in the defence of the Empire. D*?cemiber Hospital Figures Figures presented the Whakatane Hospital Board at its meeting on Thursday relative .to the local hospital for the month of December were as under: Patients at opening of month 45 males j 49 females (94); Admitted during month 45 males, 85 females. (130); discharges 55 males, 86 females (141); deaths 1 male, 1 female (2); patients at end of December 35 males, 46 females (81); births 6 17 females (33);. operations major 10, minor 4.0 (50); daily average occupied bed 91.16. Britain's Secret Weapon "The secret weapon of the Germans was the flying bomb. It was designed to break the morale of the people of Britain. But Britain had a secret weapon, too. These were the invasion harbours built to supply the Allied armies after the landing in France/' said Lord Keyes at the civic reception tendered to him and Lady Keyes at Invercargill. The Germans thought, he said } that unless the Allies captured ports on the coast of France they could not possibly supply armies sufficiently large to carry the operations to a successful conclusion. "However we did '9 not bother much about the ports of France. We took our ports with us. That was our secret weapon," said Lord: Keyes, who went on to describe how solid breakwaters for the ports were formed by sinking numerous old ships filled with concrete and flanking them with great blocks of concrete. In this way a safe harbour was constructed. He had seen an invasion port crowded with shipping. Prisoners of War The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office has received the report of a visit by an International Red Cross representative to several camps. Stalag IV.A was visited on October 25. There were 25,000 prisoners at the time, among them 46 Australians and 76 New Zealanders. The camp staff was endeavouring to build up a reserve of clothing to meet the requirements of prisoners captured on ' .e Western Front. Stalag IV.C •was also visited at the end of October. There were 26,000 prisoners, including 29 New Zealanders. The British jirisoners were well clothed and the health of the prisoners, was good. There was a doctor attached to each large working detachment. The prisoners had one free Sunday every month. Full measures were taken against bombing by Allied planes, A reserve lazaret at Elsterhorst Hospital was> visited at ,the. end of October, and was reported to be excellent. The hospital was specialising in treatment for tuberculosis. The reserve of medical supplies on hand was more than sufficient to cover requirements. Lieutenant-Col-onel Bull, of N.Z.M.C. s is camp representative.

The Maori Battalion In a tribute to the record of the Maori Battalion, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), speaking at Lower Hutt, said the spiritual life of its members should not. be forgotten. The Minister related how Lieu tenant-General Freyberg had told him the Maori 1 Battalion, led by their padre, had 'knelt in prayer before going into and he regarded that scene as one of the most impressive in his life. "Some day the full story of the Maori Battalion will be written " said the 9 Minister, "and what a story it will be. It will be one that will thrill future generations of New Zealanders, Maori and pakeha alike." Four Sons from Overseas The honour of having had four sons returned from overseas during the last few months belongs to Mrs E. Stuart > of 10, Galloway Street, Hamilton. Mrs Stuart lias three sons in the. Army and two in the Navy. Two sons, Sergeant J. L. Stuart, and Sergeant G. D. Stuart, have re-. turned after four years' service in the Middle East while another son 't .» Driver J. Stuart, has returned after two years' service in the Pacific. Stoker (Ist class) G. Stuart is back after a year's service overseas while Petty-Officer L. Stuart is. still srving in New Zealand. Buildings on Stop-banks "I'm right against buildings of any sort being erected on stopbanks," said Cr Luxton at the last meeting of the Whakatane County Council last week. At the present time there, does not seem to be any law for the fencing of drains either by the Government or by the settlers. There should be legislation to enforce fencing, for as long as people are permitted to build sheds there or allow their cattle to cut them to pieces there will always be a danger to the low-lying lands in time of flood. As soon as the turf is cut a scour starts. Something should be done to protect our stopbanks. Where are the Colts ? "While it is most pleasing to see the older members here meeting after meeting, I am disappointed to see that once again the younger businessmen of this town are conspicuous by their absence," said Mr C. Good, at the Chamber of Commerce meeting last Thursday. "It is that sort of apathetic spirit which has been the cause of Whakatane missing so many things in the past " he went on "unless the younger businessmen wake up and push the interests of their town they are going to realise in years to come that Whakatane is not such a good place as they would like it to have been " Boy Scout Camp Sixty-seven boys; drawn from Scout Troops in the Eastern part of the Bay are. now under canvas at Ohiwa. The camp,, which had been arranged at short notice was held in lieu of the district, camp which was to be held at Lake Rotoma and is under the control of Scoutmaster C. F. Thomas as -Commandant and Scoutmaster Te. H. Fergusson as Adjutant. The boys are all in good trim and are thoroughly enjoying the camp. Approximately twentyfive Whakatane boys are included in this, number. 'At Lake Rotoma, seventeen members of the Awakeri troop are also having a week's camp under Scoutmaster T. Howell. This group has linked forces with a small number from the recently formed Rotoiti troop under S.M. Morgan.