THE PHONEY WAR "COOK'S" TOUR IN FRANCE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXV, Issue 66, 18 March 1944, Page 8

THE PHONEY WAR "COOK'S" TOUR IN FRANCE

IXST RUCTION AL PUR POSES! (By N. G. P. RICHARDSON)

We arrived at a small town on the Belgian frontier one morning early in 10-10, cold and hungry, to find, as usual, that no one expected or wanted'us. The train from Dieppe had taken 24 hours. Arrangements for food had been made at several stations. The train only stopped in desolate country. Our one meal had been stolen chickens toasted over a bonfire of railway sleepers.

After a meal and much coil'ec and rum we tackled the local brigade headquarters, who reluctantly took us in hand. We were billeted in a chateau; spring mattresses, h. and c. in every room. Our voluminous camping gear remained untouched in one corner. For the next few days we inspected the front. Everywhere we saw troops— British troops, French troops, troops billeted, troops marching, troops playing, troops digging, mostly digging. Mountains of earth were moved that winter. Whole sections of towns were prepared for demolition to give a field of lire . . . AH to he abandoned when the Army moved into Belgium to meet the enemy. "Where were the enemy?" you ask. They were miles away in Germany. "Further south," we were told, "real live Germans can be seen and heard, but they are more strictly preserved than any pheasant. The season is not open yet." The evenings were all spent sampling the highlights of the local towns where the kindly townspeople were making the troops welcome and doing a splendid trade.' And so regretfully back to England, with its stricter, blackout and rationing where I was supposed to teach what 1 had learned. What did I.learn? Well, the charming daughter of a wayside innkeeper taught me to make omelettes a la Francaise.

SEARCH EPSOM MUCH-TRAVELLED LETI'EK When an artilleryman of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. wrote 10 Ills folks back home at Epsom, when he was attending a special course at Algiers, he little thought that the airgraph would find its way round the world before reaching its destination, nor could he think- that the officials at the General Post Office, London, would show such commendable attention to little things as it was proved that they did. When the airgraph reached Epsom, Auckland, it bore the stampmarks of Epsom, Surrey, also was Inscribed "not -Selwyn Court, London, 5.H.," with the last resource "try Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand."

The soldier addressed the missive to his people's address, Selwyn Road, Epsom, and it found them all right and in very little over the usual time. v His parents were appreciative that the officials concerned had made a thorough search for the addressee, even in spite of the multifarious tasks confronting thorn ill wartime, and then had directed the airgraph to New Zealand. The only other Epsom given in some gazetteers is in Victoria, and a line discretion was shown in choosing the Auckland Epsom when it was found that the address was not in the district famous in English turf history. ♦ ♦ ♦ + R.S.A. NEW PREMISES A meeting of the executive and representatives of ex-servicemen's clubs was held at R.S.A. headquarters this week, when details or Poppy Day and Anzac Day were discussed. The Poppy Day collection will be on Friday, April 21, while the arrangements for Anzac Day will follow the established linos of past years. The opportunity was taken by the president, Mr. Postlewaite, to give the delegates an outline of the arrangements for the new premises in British Chambers, High Street, which it is proposed to open on Anzac Day. The alterations required to the building were being pressed forward with all haste. He felt sure the new headquarters would prove a boon to members, and in fact to all ex-servicemen and women, and that the-accompanying amenities and facilities for recreation and social intercourse would also prove highly popular.

OTAHUHU R.S.A. BUILDING FUND ACTIVITIES The campaign to raise funds for the memorial .building as headquarters for the association, has "got oiT to a flying start," and the functions so far held have proved decidedly successful, while those anticipated are attractive and on an ambitious scale. A very successful gymkhana was held in Gill's Paddock, and although rain fell in the morning the afternoon was bright and sunny. Special mention must be made of the able and efficient manner in which the day's events wore handled by Mr. J. V. Lawcs and his willing helpers. A further meeting of citizens was held in the club rooms this week, when it was decided to hold a queen carnival. The carnival will be launched in conjunction with a monster band recital on March 27. This will be given by the band, coinprising GO players, of the U.S.A. forces. There will also he whippet hurdle racing, running events, Maori hakas and singing, and Scottish dancing. The function will be held in St urges Park,' which is floodlit, and lends itself admirably for such occasions. Next Wednesday exhibition games of billiards and snooker will be given by the local champions, Mr. F. Brown and Mr. 13. North, and a collection will be taken up. +'+ + + COMING EVENTS ONEHUNGA U.S.A. —To-night, fortnightly dance, S p.m.; Tuesday afternoon, ladies' knitting bee; evening, men's indoor bowls, members only; Wednesday afternoon, ladies' whist drive, 1.45 p.m.; evening, mixed indoor bowls; Thursday evening, weekly dance, 8 p.m.; Friday, social evening from 7.30 p.m., members only; Saturday afternoon, outdoor bowls, ordinary draw and club competitions, 1.45 p.m.; evening, mixed indoor bowls from 7.45 p.m. AVONDAIA3.—Monday, general meeting. All recently returned men specially invited; Wednesday, cards, 500, club rooms, 8 p.m., soldiers' comforts committee; Friday, indoor bowls, Oddfellows' Hall (open).

DEVOXI'ORT.—To-night, .special ladies' evening, Masonic Hall, S p.m., dancing, items, supper, club members welcome; Monday, executive meeting, Masonic Hall, 7.30 p.m. NEWMARKET—To-night, cards, 500; Monday, club night, bowls; Tuesday and Wednesday, cards, whist and 500; Thursday, ladies' night, bowls and slipper; Friday, club night, bowls; Monday. March 20, special general meeting, 7.30 p.m. (new rules). TAMAKf. —Wednesday, indoor bowls, open fours; Friday, progressive pairs, Parish Hall. 7.45 p.m.; Saturday, social and dance, Parish Hall, S p.m. GREY' IiVXX.—To-night, indoor bowls, open drawn fours, also progressive bridge; Monday, cards, whist; Tuesday, crib tourney; Wednesday and Thursday, club rooms open for members: Friday, indoor bowls, open drawn fours; Saturday, dance, also progressive bridge. OTAHIHU R.S.A.— To-night, cards, bridge and 500; Tuesday, bowis; Wednesday, exhibition billiards; Thursday and Saturday, bowls. BIRKENHEAD. — Thursday, bowls, ! cards, billiards; Friday, open bowls tourney. KLIiEItSI.IE.—Monday. ladies' bowls; Tuesday afternoon, cards; Wednesday, i bowls; Thursday, cards. EDEN-ROSKUJ>.—To-night, cards, 500; | Tuesday, bowls, champion pairs B; Friday, j bowls, ladies' night, entertain Mt. Albert; I Saturday, cards, 500. TAKAI'UNA.—To-night, bowls, open night; Tues'day, club night; Wednesday, bowls, matches and practice; Friday, club night; Saturday, bowls, open night. MT. ALBERT.—To-night, cards, nag 500; Monday, indoor bowls, members and partners; Wednesday, bowls, open drawn fours; entries close open pairs tourney; Thursday, members and partners; Friday, members' night; Saturday, 2 p.m. sharp, open pairs tourney; S p.m., dance; library Monday and Thursday. (iRKY JiVXJr IjAlUKS.—Progressive 500 every Thursday, 1.30 p.m., George Court's tea rooms, funds for comforts for servicemen patients in mental hospital. •