LONDON LETTER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 21, 25 January 1934, Page 17

LONDON LETTER.

ENGLAND IN THE AIR.

POPPY STILL SELLING.

BUILDINGS AND HEAVY TRAFFIC.

(Ifrora Our Own Correspondent.)

LONDON, December 14.

Everyone knows of the Prince of Wales' active and persistent interest in flying. He was one of the first to have his own Moth, and now has one of the largest and most powerful of all pri-vately-owned 'planes. Speaking at an air port conference at the Masion House last Friday, the Prince urged the much greater development of an air service in Great Britain and the provision of a much larger number of air ports.

In the Prince's own words: "People must be able to fly where they want and not only where they can." He dwelt especially on speed as the essence of communication and in thinking in terms of cruising speed of 250 miles an hour. Hie Royal Highness pointed out the necessity of caring not only for Empire trade routes, but of a systein of frequent and convenient general air travel, which would be even superior to the systems which are being developed very rapidly in other countries. This would give England the foremost position ir. carrying goods and passengers, which it once held as the great sea-carrier of the world. Remembering Remembrance Day. Poppy Day returns up to the end of November, 1933, totalling nearly £176,000, rev.eal the interesting fact that over £16,000 more has so far been received than by the same date last year. Furthermore, thousands of pounds have still to come in from church collections, wreaths and other sales. Results at present have amply justified the promoters' faith in the continued sympathy of the Biiash public, whether at home or overseas, i*a t'»e cause of the exservicimen. In studying the table of receipts, one realises that thanks for the increased collections are almost entirely due to the provinces. This is all the more surprising when one remembers that many of these towns, which have so successfully redoubled their efforts in support of the Earl Haig Fund, are situated in industrial areas, which have long been suffering acutely from trade depression. Overseas collections, too, are bigger than they were last year, though, unfortunately, Londoners have not responded so generously as usual. But, on the whole, financial returns from November 11, 1933 collections, sales and donations would seem to prove that the British public are emphatically opposed to that abandonment of Remembrance Day celebrations which has been advocated in some quarters. * More Opera For London. Opera goers are greatly relieved that the future of Covent Garden Opera House is now safely determined. Its fate, since the expiration of ths lease, has been hanging in the balance for some time, and of the many suggestions as to what should be done with the building, perhaps the most alarming was that it should be demolished.

Now, however, ti? welfare in th" hands of the new Royal Opera House Company, of whom Viscount Allendale is chairman and Air. Geoffrey Toye, managing director. With Sir Thomas Beecham continuing in his role of principal conductor and artistic director, which ho filled last season, music lover* may rest assured tint their home of opera is being well looked after. Great improvements have been made in the house itself. These afford increased amenities to artists in the shape of rehearsal and dressing rooms, new and up-to-date lighting plant, which is essential to the adequate production of opera under modern conditions, a new ventilation plant, new foyer, grand salon, cloak rooms, and a new staircase to run the full height of the house.

Oxford Trembles. It is some years since Oxford was rid of the unseemly obstruction and clamour of trams. But its many spires have not been allowed to dream in peace. On the contrary, they are being shaken and threatened by worse than trams. The heavy traflic is becoming nothing less than disastrous, and the glorious buildings are trembling as in an earthquake. Indeed, two seismographs have been set in operation, one in the High Street in front of University College, and the other in the University Observatory. The results shown were startling. The instrument outside University College exhibited a chart which suggested Japan or some other earthquake-haunted locality. The zigzags were _of the extremest kind, and several times the Milne-Shaw instruments were uncoupled. Sir Michael Sadler, Master of University College, and Mr. H. A. L. Fisher, Warden of New College, have issued, a joint report, drawing urgent attention to this menace. They point out that the remedy is to complete the Northern Byepass above Oxford without delay. The Peril of St. Paul's. But the Oxford colleges are not the only buildings which are in danger. Onee more the question of St. Paul's Cathedral has been raised, and a very grave report has been issued by two eminent engineers, Sir Alexander Gibb and Mr. Ralph Freeman. These experts have been making the most stringent investigations and have come to the conclusion that the edifice is seriously threatened. As they put it, the margin of safety is small. A special Act of Parliament is siig-n-estcd, to give the cathedral authorities control over the sacred area, so that all possible steps may be taken to prevent catastrophe. The report says that there is evidence of subsidence during construction, and there is no doubt that the loads are greater than would now be entertained on a foundation of potter's clay resting on gravel and sand. The sacred area suggested includes a number of streets adjacent to St. Paul's Cathedral, and a proposal made as early as 1913 by Canon Alexander, would prohibit all underground works within that area.

The Modern Smuggler. The Commissioners of Customs and Excise have been very busy during the year ended March 31, 1033, gathering in an increased revenue of over £25,000,000, due to tariffs. Turning the illegal practice of smuggling to good account, they have recovered in penalties as much as £15,017, and, for the practice, convicted 3177 persons into the bargain. Their report, just issued, states that 7725 seizures of smuggled goods were made over that period. Of these, 4093 were seizures of tobacco and spirits, the quantity of tobacco being 5237 pounds, and of spirits, 190 gallons. It would, perhaps, be well if every visitor to our otherwise hospitable shores made themselves acquainted with the facts of the report, and took heed of its warning before their firr.t trunks were packed.