EX-SERVICEMEN'S CORNER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 91, 17 April 1943, Page 8

EX-SERVICEMEN'S CORNER

GREY LYNN'S BUSY YEAR

"FOR SERVICES RENDERED" * £ Thought YOUNG DIGGER "FLEECED"

He had just returned home from the Middle East; been discharged unfit for further military service. He had been overseas since the first troops left New Zealand in this war. He had suffered a lot, and at the early age of 24 was of no more use to his country in its time of dire need. He was trying to do the next best thing. He wanted to settle down with his young wife at the very earliest moment, for he had suffered serious loss to his farm during his absence. But he required necessarv household furniture and furnishings and had to make a journey of over 126 miles to make the purchases, still wearing his warstained uniform.

j He entered one city warehouse to I make a purchase. The article was I priced at nearly £10. That didn't matter, for his wife had made up her mind for this particular household i necessity. So the young-old warrior i of several desert campaigns said he would clinch the deal. That was all right, but the salesman broke it gently that it would be necessary to buv some other goods in the shop before he could get what he wanted. He could hardly believe his ears. After the suffering and trials he had passed through so that people could live in peace and freedom, here was he being the victim of the ugly monster, extortion. Yes, just stark extortion. He wondered if that was what the boys were fighting and giving their lives for. Almost dazed, certainly dumbfounded at the thought, he remembered his wife's keen desire for the article he had bought and went listlessly round the shop choosing several more things he did not require to the cost of a further £3 and then asked if that would be enough. So he paid something like £12 for what he wanted at nearly £10 and left the shop still wondering. ;f + + * SALESMANSHIP DESERT POSSIBILITIES (FRANK BRUNO) With a recent bach of shop-soiled sojermen from the Middle East, arrived an old friend —such a homely-visaged old friend that we of the wife-beaters and debt-dodgers echelon had christened him "Plum Duff"—so facially like that yuletide edible was he. Now Plum Duff had been, in palmier days, a salesman; in Australia he had forced vacuum cleaners upon talk-dazed fiat-dwellers; and hand-painted photos upon citizens who were not like Clark Gable save around the ears; and diamond mine shares (A Pref.) to lurkers in the 'Loo whose main speculations up till then had been s.p. bookmaking. When the tucket sounded in '39, however, Plum Duff answered promptly, to trail a pike for democracy, and was a member of the much-publicised special force (remember "tourists' meals, luxury cruise, two to a cabin, etc.?" Ha ha!) In the East Plum Duff had come to the home of super-salesmen. Genuine gold rings, souvenirs of Cairo made in Germany and Japan, fiyswitches, shoe-shine pests, feelthy pitchers George and guides to various naughty places, swarmed like the locust. Even the Duff bowed his head, he who had been called 'a back-door bandit." Now- some time later, those on outpost duty at the bleak back of HelWan 'drome—miles and miles and miles of fanny adams —were amazed to see a patriachal wog on a small donkev towing something that clanked and whirred like a tiny -tank. Waving him good-bye and bismillah was the Duff—a smiling fellow; and as the wog and donk passed the little outpost the gun section gaped. The Duff, however, contentedly counted a heap of akker 1 notes. He had made good in the land of supersalesmen. For no mean sum he had sold the shiekh of a region of fig trees and sand a lawnmower!

The year just ending has been a busy and successful one for the Grey Lynn Club, which, during the twelve months, moved into its own premises in the former Y.M.C.A. building. The club reports increased membership and added activities due to the greater facilities offered by the new clubroom. The membership, in fact, is the highest on record. In keeping with the general progress the finances of the club are in a very healthy state. The annual meeting and election of office-bearers will be held in the clubroom on Thursday, April 29.

Folks say I dream . . . and waste the precious hours In tumbling words into a hopeless throng, In seeking star dust in the torn JIGQDCTifS Where only aeroplanes to-day belong. They speak of verses xoith a smiling gesture And shake their heads, before they turn away, Not understanding, somewhere, someone, somehow, May find a line to help them on their way. A weary soldier — thirsty for a shower Of rain that bears the sweetened breath of home, May press, with wounded hands, a scrap of paper Against his lips; where foreign breezes roam. I do not care for what folks think and murmur; This thought alone rewards a gladsome task — The lilac lanes of memory bring sweet comfort To those who die for us; no more I ask! —Mavis E. Hills. + + + +

DEVONPORT CLUB SUCCESSFUL YEAR The Devonport Club at its annual meeting elected the following officers: —President, Mr. E. T. O'Sullivan; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. Piper and W. Buchanan; honorary secretary, Mr. F. S. Procter, 9, North Avenue; honorary treasurer, Mr. R. G. Coutts; committee, Messrs. A. Forbes, A. Goedicke, C. Hayman, P. H. Marks, D. Mlllin, E. Spraggon, E. Wait, J. Willis, R. Wilson. The accounts revealed a very sound financial position. Besides plant, furniture and property the club has funds in hand amounting to nearly £700. All the various activities have been well supported, and the weekly dances have yielded a profit of approximately £250. An energetic ladies' committee was thanked for help given at the dances. Harmony nights have been very successful and enjoyable, and bowls have been played as opportunity offered. The club's rink, G. Christie, N. Fletcher, C. H. Pitts and F. S. Procter, won .the Diggers' Marine Championship, the prize being a handsome shield donated by Mr. G. W Burgess, Birkenhead Club. &■♦ + ♦

COMING EVENTS TAKAPUNA CLUB.— To-night, bowls, practice: Tuesday, club night; Wednesday, bowls, practice. Saturday, bowls, open night, mixed. MOUNT ALBERT CLUB.— To-night, cards flag 500; to-morrow. Anzac parade. Presbyterian Church, meet post office 10.30 a.m., mufti and medals; Monday, bowls, members and partners, Wednesday, indoor bowls, open fours, Friday, members' night; Saturday, special Anzac Eve smoko. members; library. Monday and Friday. EDEN-BOSKILL.— To-night, cards, progressive 500; to-morrow, church parade Shackleton Road Church, meet Tennyson Street, 10.30 a.m., Tuesday, bowls, champion fours, B section; Wednesday, monthly general meeting; Good Friday, office closed; Saturday, cards, progressive 500. GALLIPOI.I ASSOCIATION.—AnnuaI reunion. Masonic Hall, Lower Princes Street. Easter baturday, April 24, at 8 p.m. A great night is assured. 2nd N.Z.E.F. ASSOCIATION—CIub room open daily from 10 a.m. till 11 p.m.; Wednesday, dance; Thursday, progressive 500; Saturday, club dance; Sunday, dance and social. GREY LYNN CLUB.—To-night, progressive 500, also progressive bridge, St. Columba Hall: Monday, whist, club rooms; Tuesday, crib tournament, club rooms; Wednesday and Thursday, club rooms open for members only; Friday night, indoor bowls (open); Saturday night, dance, club rooms, annual general meeting, April 29. club rooms. 8 p.m. GREY LYNN LADlES.—Progressive 500 every Wednesday, 8 p.m.. St. Columba Hall. Surrey Crescent, and at George Court's tearooms, Thursday afternoon, 1.30. Oood prizes; proceeds for mental hospital patients' comforts. ONEHUNGA U.S.A.—Annual general meeting, April 29. BRITISH LEGION.—Social and dance, to-night, at 24, Wyndham Street, 7.30 p.m. All ex-Imperials and friends welcome. TAMAKI CLUB.—Monday, executive meeting, bowling pavilion, 7.30 p.m.; Wednesday, indoor bowls, fours; Friday, progressive pairs. Parish Hall 7.45 p.m.; Anzac Day, parade lor service, Peerless Theatre, St. Helier's. 2 p.m. DEVONPORT CLUB.—Monday, harmony night, cards games, supper; Easter Saturday weekly dance, Foresters' Hall, at 8 p.m. NEWMARKET CLUB.—Monday and Friday, club nights, bowls and smoko; Tuesday, cards, whist; Wednesday and Saturday, cards. 500; Thursday, ladies' night, bowls; ennual meeting, election of officers and executive. Monday, April 19. THE JOCKS. —Easter Saturday, opening Ingleside. Miss McNaughton's dance studio. Wyndham Street (next Gas Company-showrooms), 8 p.m. REMUERA CLUB.—Tuesday, 7.45 p.m.. members' Indoor bowling, pairs competitions; Wednesday, 1 p.m., women's auxiliary; Thursday. Easter Eve, closed night; Saturday. 7.45 p.m. sharp. Anzac smoko. :' "