BRITISH CHILDREN

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 84, 5 October 1940, Page 12

BRITISH CHILDREN

BIG PARTY ARRIVES

VOYAGE WITH THRILLS

HAPPY JOURNEY

After a long voyage in which both rough weather and thrills were experienced, 113 British children arrived in Wellington yesterday. They are of the finest type, ranging from five to fifteen years of age, and to see them scampering about the deck in the best vof health and spirits was to know that they had thoroughly enjoyed and even benefited by their trip. The only illness they suffered was from seasickness during rather heavy weather. A NARROW ESCAPE. Soon after leaving port, and while still in sight of coasts on either hand, their ship was narrowly passed astern by a torpedo which sank another liner in the convoy, also carrying children. Though there was a large number of passengers, on the other liner, every one was rescued except one of the ship's officers, who was killed accidentally while leaving the ship. The ship bound for New Zealand continued to zigzag on its way, but those on deck could see the other liner being abandoned and. sinking. According to statements by passengers, the attack was made late in the. evening. Tliey were awakened by what appeared to be gunfire, and this was followed by two explosions. Ordered to their muster stations, with lifejackets, they, could see the stricken vessel settling down. One of "The Post's" informants said that he saw the torpedo pass about a chain astern of his ship. The sinking of the other steamer, which was on its way to Canada, was reported by cable. CHILDREN UNPERTURBED. "The children were really wonderful," said Miss P. M. Redmayne, who was in charge of them. "They showed no sign of fear or excitement, and behaved just as if it were an ordinary practice. For three nights while we were in the danger area they slept in the lounge, in their clothes. The captain was most thoughtful, and did everything he could for the children's welfare. Even when he must have been distracted with worry, he saw that the children were served with hot milk and biscuits." Miss Redmayne was assisted in caring for the children by Mrs. Ann Best, of the Salvation Army, and a" number of auxiliary helpers. The Rev. H. A. Hayden, vicar of St. Nicholas's, Warwick, and Father J. P. Murphy, S.M., were chaplains to the party. Dr. Mary Jennings was medical officer. There were two qualified nurses and eight other escorts. The happiness of the children was a splendid testimonial to their supervision. A glimpse of one of the meals in progress showed that they were very welltfed indeed. EFFECTIVE SUPERVISION. Miss Redmayne is a Quakeress, vivacious, alert, and essentially practical, with much experience in.... dealing with, young people in England and in the Mediterranean, where, she said, she had the experience of renting an island off the Greek coast a mile and a quarter long and three-quarters of a mile wide, for £4 a year. It formed a midway station between two nations whose children she was working with. Amongst the helpers, official and otherwise, was one who could teach French and Spanish, and another taught dressmaking. Miss Redmayne bought a large quantity of suitable cloth. The children were shown how to set to work on it under supervision, and when they reached the first port of call they all had new dresses they had made themselves, and enjoyed their run ashore no less because o£ that. The kindness of the residents made their stay a delight. During the warmer part of the voyage they wore neat cotton clothing; on their arrival they were all warmly clothed. EVERYBODY HELPFUL. All. on. board the ship, said their hostess, went out of their way to make the lot of the children pleasant. The captain of the ship made a daily inquiry as to what could be done for them that day, and officers, the crew, and stewards took such an interest in them that the work of supervision was eased. Lessons were given daily, and with concerts and all sorts of entertainment the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves. They proved adaptable and very versatile, one boy of fifteen taking the part of the fairy godmother in "Cinderella," a play put on by the children themselves. The children come from so many parts of England that particularisation would be futile. Few English counties are unrepresented. _ . , They are going to Blenheim, Christchurch. Dunedin, Auckland, Nelson, Gisborne, and Whangarei, The only children for Wellington who. were not nominated by relatives or friends are four brothers and their sister, who have been allocated in two homes near each other. Only children for the Wellington district came ashore last night, many of them being called for by those who were taking them. The remainder will go to4 their destinations today. The children were met by the Prima Minister and Mrs. Fraser, the Minister of Internal Affairs, Mr. Parry, the Minister of Education, Mr. Mason, the United Kingdom High Commissioner, Sir Harry Batterbee, the Director ot Education, Dr. C. E. Beeby, Mr. J. W. Heenan, Under-Secretary of the Internal Affairs Department, and officers of the Overseas Children's Reception Committee. . ' In addition to the children sent out under the overseas reception plan, there were 50 other children accompanying parents or sent out privately, and •there were > also aboard a number of people either returning to New Zealand, coming here for the first time, or going further afield.