LONDON'S SPIRIT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 86, 12 April 1941, Page 8

LONDON'S SPIRIT.

WORK OF WOMEN.

"MONA" AND "CLARA."

"It is so cxciting there just now that I was quite sorry to leave London," said Mrs.-M. I. D. Hoarc, who, together with Miss A. K. Brewer, has arrived 011 a business visit to Xew Zealand. "Poor old London is getting badly knocked about, but the spirit of the people is marvellous."

Although thov were now Incoming less frequent, air raids had l>een the greatest trial to Londoners. In the street in which they lived, five houses had been demolished, and almost every night for a period they were admitting people into their basement for shelter.

Organisation in the city, however, was wonderful, and Jife was going 011 much as usual. Fire-watchers 011 the roofs of tall buildings were doing valuable work in "spotting'' fires and directing lire brigades to them without loss of time. Sterling service was also being rendered by women in many spheres, particularly as ambulance drivers and on the land.

"I take off my hat to the London girls," said Mrs. Hoare this morning. "As for the air raids, shelters in the tubes have now been well fixed up with canteens and bunks, so that people can sleep there in comfort.

"What we hated most of all were the sirens. We have names for them over there. 'Mona' is the siren which gives the signal to take shelter, while 'Clara' sounds the all clear. However, despite the air raids, it is wonderful what you