LONDON IN THE SNOW

Evening Star, Issue 23553, 17 April 1940, Page 11

LONDON IN THE SNOW

In a letter just received from a Dunedin girl she gives some idea of the discomforts of London at present. About a week ago I came back from five hectic days' in London, the first time 1 have been' there since war was declared. Snow, dirty, wet, sloshy stuff in all the gutters and footpaths, did lighten the black-out a bit, but the way one floundered about and got soaked 1 through was not so pleasant. The faint car lights, and here and there a pedestrian torch, helped one a lot and also saved your very (precious battery. There has been an absolute racket over torch batteries; of course,, lots more people than usual are wanting them; but fancy having to* pay Is for a 3d battery because Hamley’s is the only shop in London that has them! Apart from that the war hasn’t touched many people yet. There is plenty of food, and a much bigger variety than you can get in New Zealand. Paprika, French lentils, and a few things like that are selling out, and will not. be imported again. Foreign shoes, too, are practically off the market, practically no choice, in fact. I got the only two pairs in the shop that would fit me, at my price, 25s 6d. At 69s there were still models left, but English shoes are still there, if you have English feet. There was not a hat that I would be seen dead in, but perhaps that can’t be blamed on the war. Dress materials are still in plenty at reasonable prices. Wo are well supplied for a long time and don’t feel unpatriotic in buying, as bv doing so we help the almost empty shops.