UNREAL WAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 29 November 1939, Page 4

UNREAL WAR

SCOTLAND’S OUTLOOK CHANGES IN EDINBURGH AIR RAIDS NOT FEARED GISBORNE MAN RETURNS “It is difficuflt to realise that there is a war in progress, and it is only when you see the sand-bagged buildings, police with steel helmets, and experience the complete black-outs at night that the fact is brought home to you,” said the Rev. R. A. G. Maddock, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Rees Maddock, Stout street, who has returned to GiSborne from Scotland.

Mr. Mladdoe'k has been’ away from New Zealand for 15 months, a year of which time he was assistant-minister at St. Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. He resigned from the kirk early- in October.

The citizens of Edinburgh did not appear to have much fear of air raids, and at first did not pay a great deal of attention to the warnings to take cover, said Mr. Maddock. They realised that the objectives of enemy bombers mainly would be the Firth bridge or any naval craft that might be at anchor in the Firth of Forth. However, the danger the people exposed themselves to when watching enemy . planes manoeuvring and fighting oil defending planes or trying to escape from the iraking fire of the batteries of anti-aircraft guns was the risk Of being struck by descending shrapnel. They were learning that it was wise to take cover in the shelters. Shelters in Royal Mile

In the Royal Mile. Mr. Maddock said, the,re were no basements that could be used as air raid shelters, and in order to provide the necessary protection for that thickly populated area the walls of the ground floors of the tenements were being sand-bagged. In the event of an air-raid warning the tenants of the upper storeys were required to descend to the ground floors of their respective buildings. There were few changes in Princes street, Edinburgh, other than the fact that the gardens had given place to trenches.

■lt was difficult to walk abroad in the streets at night, even during the autumn, and he knew that as soon as the days drew in further the blackouts would be very trying for the people. He was amazed at the completeness of the restrictions in regard to lighting, even the smallest of villages being prohibited to show a light. Evening services in the church were being conducted at 3 p.m. because of the impossible task of shielding all the windows. In St. Giles the window's had ibeen boarded up on the outside for protection, but the glass h'ad not been removed. “It is remarkable what a difference the bright lights make to a city, and that can ,be appreciated only when the same area is seen in its normal state and then under war-time restrictions,” said Mr. Maddock. “It seemed unreal to see Wellington so brightly lit up when we arrived at that port.” More Liquor Consumed After the outbreak of war many people seemed to find it necessary to take liquor as a temporary stimulant and it was the probable cause of many of the deaths that were attributed to the driving of vehicles in the blackouts. He ha’d found it necessary to be out Often at nights and the consumption of liquor, judging by the condition of some of the pedestrians, appeared to have increased considerably. 'On one occasion when in a tram he noticed that the conductor had to assist two of the occupants, who were in an advanced state of intoxication, to the sidewalk. He left them sitting on the kerb of the footpath. Others made themselves more or less objectionable by their exuberance while in public conveyances. The Calm manner in which the Scottish and English had volunteered their aid was magnificent; women Started canteen work, and the provision of the necessary warm articles of clothing, and men swelled the ranks of the national services. Less Traffic in London

After leaving Edinburgh Mr. Maddock visited relations in Wales and then travelled to London. He was surprised to find that the change in London was not so great as he had expected. Sand 'bags were not so much in evidence as he thought they would be. Traffic was greatly reduced on account of the petrol restrictions. He did not experience great difficulty in securing a iberth' in a New Zealand-bound vessel, which carried 400 (passengers for New Zealand and Australia, one of the largest passenger lists that she had had. The trip was uneventful,'although it was'interesting to see the .precautions that were taken when the boat was preparing' to move through the Panama Canal.

The wassengers paid a tribute to the men of the mercantile marine, whose tasks and risks had been greatly increased.

Mr. Maddock intends to remain in Gisborne temporarily, and is doubtful regarding his plans for the future.