NEWS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXXX, Issue 121, 18 November 1940, Page 6

NEWS OF THE DAY

New Diggers and the R.S.A,

"When the new Diggers come back from this war we want them to join the N.Z.R.S.A.. to percolate through it, to dominate it, and eventually to take charge," said the Hon. W. Perry, M.L.C., president of the N.Z.R.S.A., when speaking on Saturday night at the annual reunion of Great War members of the Wellington Regiment. "It will be their show," he said. First N.Z.E.F. in Reserve. "The whole of the Army today consists 'of two main sections —the 2nd N.Z.E.F. overseas and the Ist N.Z.E.F. which is in reserve in New Zealand," said Colonel L. Potter, Commander of the Central Field Force, at the annual reunion of Great War members of the Wellington Regiment on Saturday night. "Both have a very definite job," he continued, "and the Ist N.Z.E.F. in reserve in New, Zealand may be called upon sooner than we think to take over the front-line trenches in this country." "The Perfect Dish Washer." The thanks of thousands of husbands would go to the man who produced a really efficient dish-washing machine, one that would take dirty dishes at one end and turn them out at the other thoroughly cleaned and dried, remarked a speaker at the social gathering of the New Zealand Institute of Marine and Power Engineers on Saturday night. The thought had occurred, he said amid laughter, while he was washing the dishes for his wife that night. There was more laughter when the following speaker invited those present to have a look at "the perfect dish washer." He had j been at it for forty years, he said. In his opinion, the human dish washer was infinitely better than the mechanical one, because it was a simple matter to dispose surreptitiously of a broken cup or plate "without the wife knowing anything about it." No matter how good it was, no machine could do that. Film Record of Exhibition. Though later a complete record of the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition .iay be compiled as a guide to future projects, none that approaches the detailed thoroughness of the history of the Dunedin Exhibition exists, nor can exist until after the final meeting of shareholders and the closing of accounts, but there is available a record, in film, which could not be built in 1925-26. This was taken by Mr. Henry Sefl, manager of Playland, as a personal record, and a copy has recently been received from him. There are about 3000 feet of 16mm. film, mostly in colour, and though it does not cover the first months of site preparation it preserves a comprehensive history of the rush of building construction, the levelling, final formation and beautification of the grounds, the building of Playland. and the last days of hurry and scurry before the opening, Ceremonial and special occasions have sections of their own. There may or may not be another great exhibition in Wellington, but certain it is that there will be another in New Zealand, and this film record will be of considerable value in support of any comprehensive written and still photographic survey that may be compiled.

Helping Paris Refugees. It is reported from France that the Salvation Army's institutions in Paris are continuing to work day and night dealing with the great procession of refugees returning to their homes,' states an Army news bulletin. The mayors of the different arrondissements have asked the Army to undertake the distribution of soup to the population. The German authorities allow the Army complete liberty. Sheep Burned to Death. Trapped in a burning woolshed, 60 sheep were burned to death on the farm of Mr. A. ■ Metcalfe, of Ararua, states "The Press." Several bales of crutchings and some fleeces were also, destroyed, while the shed and contents were a total loss. The sheep had been penned by Mr.. Metcalfe preparatory to commencing shearing. He had just left the shed when he saw smoke coming from the building, and when the doors were opened it was found that the interior was blazing fiercely. It was impossible to release the sheep or to save the building. Art in Wartime. "The arts are a manifestation of the spirit of man and are among the most enduring things in our civilisation. I suggest that if we cannot carry them on in wartime there must be something wrong," said Mr. C. R. Ford, in opening the summer exhibition of the Auckland Society of Arts. "Even if there were no other reason, the practice of the arts would be justifiable as a means of escape from the troubles around us. It should be enough to point to Mr. Winston Churchill, who took up painting in the last war as a relaxation from his heavy official responsibilities -and showed that he had a real gift for it." A Golden Opportunity. Thousands of young men were being trained in mechanics by the Air Force, and one wondered what would become of them after the war, said Mr. V. G. Boivin at the annual social gathering of the New Zealand Institute of Marine and Power Engineers on Saturday night. It seemed to him that the problem would be one the engineering industry could help to solve, and the industry would have a golden opportunity to recruit many able and well-trained young men when the war was over. "While We Gather Strength." "Our hearts go out to those, boys who are keeping the British Empire from disaster and holding the fort for us while we gather strength," said Mr. J. S. Hanna, in reference to the work of British airmen, while proposing the toast, the "Navy, Army, and Air Force," at the annual reunion on Saturday night of Great War members of the Wellington Regiment. Picture Benefit. As the result of the screening of the naval film "Convoy" at the Regent Theatre last night, £264 4s 8d was raised to assist in providing comforts for the men of the Merchant Service and the Navy. Of this "total, £31 7s 8d was taken in a collection in the theatre foyer after the show. One woman patron handed over £7 from the refreshments branch of the railway station. The Regent Theatre staff, assisted by the staff of the St. James Theatre, gave their services free. En-~ tertainments for the same cause were also given last night at Palmerston North and Christchurch.