NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 48, 26 February 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

Elderly People's Help. A number of elderly people have contributed more than once to the National Patriotic Fund, and some of their donations have been accompanied by most encouraging letters. The other day a short note was received from a Petone man, 85 years of age, who sent in £2 last month and has now made a further contribution of £5. "I sincerely wish the fund every success," his letter concluded. "God bless you in your efforts." Another recent second contribution was from a lady of 73 years of age, living at Papatoetoe, Auckland. She sent in her 2s 6d for the 30 patriotic seals she received through the post from the National Patriotic Fund Board and has made a further donation of 7s 6d. Radio Sets at Sea. Life at sea on board the ordinary slow cargo-boat is a dull enough routine, even in wartime, and the radio sets--which so many of the crew keep in their cabins afford entertainment and a break in the monotony to a degree which the landsman can hardly appreciate. One unpleasant sidelight on the war regulations so far as the sailors are concerned, however, is the fact that while in the war zone, and especially when sailing in a convoy, they are not permitted to use their receiving sets. The reason for .this stringent precaution is that the oscillation of the set could be picked up by any submarine and used to find the direction of the ship. Cheap Sunglasses. In a report to the annual conference of the Institute of Opticians, Mr. L. A. Sargent mentioned the harmful effect on the eyes of wearing cheap^ sunglasses. Many cheap sunglasses were sold under the name of Crookes's lenses. Actually, the lenses might be to Sir William Crookes's formula, but the quality was such that the advantage of reducing the jrritating. glare was outweighed by the eyestrain caused. The lenses were only rolled or moulded lenses, which, with very irregular surfaces, caused distortion and prismatic effect. An even worse feature was that they had very dark lenses in many cases. Mr. Sargent said the effect was to make the eyes adapt themselves to a poorer illumination than was natural and so create eye difficulties. War Correspondents. Questioned at Auckland, the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones) said that in view of the large number of applications received b> the Government for the position of war correspondent, the Government will not now advertise, states a Press Association message. Mr. Jones added that the selection of one correspondent would be made as soon as possible as it was intended to send him with the Second Echelon. A second correspondent would accompany the Third Echelon. The Government was also considering the advisability of appointing an official photographer to accompany the forces overseas. Achilles Point. | The plan prepared by the Auck- j land City Engineer, Mr. J. Tyler,! for the layout of Achilles Point, the prominent headland at the junction of Cliff Road and Springcombe Road, St. Heliers. is now ready for submission to the City Council, states the "Herald." This provides for the formation of two terraces at different levels and the construction of a circular retaining wall with stone seats. The upper terrace will be paved with concrete flagstones and there will be provision for the erection of a direction table. This table will carry a bronze map of the harbour and gulf and there will also be a bronze plate recording the gallant part played by H.M.S. Achilles in the battle off Montevideo. ■