BOMBS ON LONDON

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21229, 27 September 1940, Page 6

BOMBS ON LONDON

DISTRESS OF CIVILIANS STRONG MORALE MAINTAINED DONATIONS FROM HAMILTON “Last night waves of German bombers raided London and the city experienced its longest alarm to date. In a closely-populated section of the city several bombs were dropped, damaging houses and completely demolishing one wing of a hospital. Further south in London last night a business area suffered from heavy missiles and incendiary bombs, several casualties being reported. Our fighters and anti-aircraft guns succeeded in driving the raiders back over the Channel.” It is such a simple matter to turn a knob and bring into the quiet of a New Zealand home a voice giving details such as these that it is hard for us in the Dominion to realise what really lies behind such matter-of-fact statements. “This is the news in English from Daventry . . .” says the voice in a casual manner, and it is difficult to appreciate that as one listens history is in the making.

Also, it is difficult to realise that a large community such as that in London can exhibit such an astounding measure of equanimity in the face of the terrors which air raids mean. Such is their faith in those who have the responsibility of guiding the British Empire to victory in the present conflict that they go about their daily tasks in much the same manner as they did in peace time, and face the future with cheerful mien. Considerable Damage It cannot be denied, however, that the Nazi raiders have caused considerable damage in London and have inflicted much suffering on the civilian population. In an endeavour to relieve this hardship as much as possible the different countries of the Empire have given freely and gifts have been rushed to the stricken area as promptly as is practicable. Already £IOO,OOO has been donated to the Lord Mayor of London’s fund from New Zealand, and the amount will be met by public subscription. As part of the appeal for the relief of distress in London a fund has been opened by the Waikato Times and now stands at £685. The following donations are acknowledged:— £ s d

Previously acknowledged 570 4 3 Mr & Mrs A. C. Lavmgton 21 0 0 Mr & Mrs W. Tudhope .. 21 0 0 Mr & Mrs H. D. Caro .. 20 0 0 Mr & Mrs H. G. Griffin .. 10 0 0 Mrs Longden 5 0 0 A.E.S The Hamilton Lodge of the 5 0 0 Theosophical Society . 5 0 0 Mr & Mrs C. H. D. McLeod 5 0 0 H. G. Young 5 0 0 Employees of H. G. Young Mr & Mrs C. W. Arm4 0 0 strong 3 3 J. E. Marnane ; Mr & Mrs E. V. Reisterer 2 2 0 Mr & Mrs Sedgwick 2 0 0 ( Mr & Mrs J. C. Nicholls 2 0 0 ! Mrs J. Jones 1 0 j E.W 1 0 0 1 A.J 10 0 Two Sympathisers .... 10 0 685 11 3