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Evening Star, Issue 23770, 28 December 1940, Page 8

It was reported at the annual prizegiving of the Marist Brothers’ School at Palmerston North that there had been a tie for second aggregate prize in one of the classes. Peculiarly (and the examination papers had been marked by outside examiners) twin brothers secured equal marks in the tests. Those who go down to the sea in ships at tho present time are subject to excitements other than those of enemy origin. Mr Felix Tattersfield, formerly of tho National Bank at Wellington, who left New Zealand some time ago as a member of the crew of a certain ship, and who has since been accepted for the Navy, writes to tho ‘ Now Zealand Banker’ of one such experience. “ The latter part of the trip I now look back upon as a little corner in hell,” ho says. “Not that the. mines, torpedoes, or bombs were much to worry about, but wo had a sailor aboard who went raving mad and nearly drove us all to a similar state. Everybody was, naturally, a little on edge working four hours on and four hours off, and when our friend began his antics and threats a lot of sleep was lost. He did not wash, sleep, or eat for days; threw all his gear overboard, and went around with a rug about his waist, had a shaggy beard and staring eyes, and talked about ‘ doing for ’ people, and when he disappeared and wc all hoped that ho had jumped overboard he would bo discovered in the coal bunkers or hiding under a gun platform. It was not until ho began talking about taking the boat over that the skipper had him put in hospital. Oh, well,” concludes the writer of the letter, “ I suppose it was all an experience.” Viewing the long, narrow hull of the U.S.'S. Bear, one finds it difficult to conceive of this ship carrying a plane. But on her last trip down south she not only carried one, but, as a story then printed in the ‘ Star ’ showed, used it for frequent reconnaissance trips from the edge of the pack-ice over the frozen continent. Officers of the Bear yesterday recalled the difficulties experienced—difficulties which, before the trip made experts familiar with the ship, forecast that the attempt would be a failure. The main boom was unshipped, and a crane capable of lifting seven tons was erected. The piano weighed five. A platform was built over the after well deck to accommodate tho plane, and, with everything complete, the plane fitted so neatly that the use of shoe-horns was suggested. Under those circumstances it was a tribute to tho naval men of the crew that so many successful flights were made. One incidental caused a lot of sore heads—literally. The platform ended about a foot above the housing of the eompanionway to the officers’ mess. The unwary head never failed to connect sharply with tho platform, and it is recorded that at least one man. rather impetuous, knocked himself unconscious. Messrs S. Owen and T. D. B. Paterson, J.P.s, presided at a sitting of the Police Court this morning, when John Albert Cormick (17) appeared on remand, charged with boarding a vessel at the wharf without a permit in contravention of the Shipping Safety Emergency Regulations. Mr C. H. Stevens appeared for the accused', who pleaded guilty. Counsel explained that the accused had been to a party on Thursday evening with some members of tho crew of the ship, and had been invited aboard. He had, foolishly, accepted the invitation, but there was no question of sinister intent. The bench, stressing the seriousness of the offence at the present time, remarked that the public generally should realise this seriousness. In all the circumstances, a conviction Would not be entered against the young man, but the matter would be adjourned for 12 months. Tho city organist. Dr V. E. Galway, will give an after-church recital in the Town Hall to-morrow evening, when visitors to tho city will welcome an opportunity of hearingthe organ. The programme, one that will appeal to all shades of musical tastes, consists of items which have been particularly favourably received at recitals cjuring the year. The items are as follows: ‘Fanfare’ (Waters), Gavotte from ' [phigeiiia ’ (Gluck). Prelude and Fugue in G (Bach). ‘ln Springtime’ (Hollins), Introduction and Allegro (Guihnant). Ayre ami Gavot (Thomas Arne). ‘This England’ (Wood). Entr’acte from 1 llosamundo 1 .(Schubert). and Overture to ‘ William 'fell ’ (Rossini i. There will be no charge for admission,

Numbers of local Territorials home for the holidays alter their three months in camp have found their civilian clothing too small for them. The majority of men put on considerable weight, and from the opinions expressed by many of the single men, at any rate, they would just as soon stay in camp as return to civilian life. Life in Belgium under German occupation is described in a letter from a Belgian pastor, which is quoted in the Presbyterian journal, the' ‘ Outlook.’ “ We are living on, and patiently waiting for the end of the storm which lias descended on our country,” he says. “ Wo are suffering from an immense isolation. We read no newspapers, and receive few letters from outside. Nothing comes which could really nplilt and encourage as. Life is materially difficult, with restrictions making themselves felt more and more.” At .Lawrence on Boxing Day a very successful gala was held to raise funds in aid of the Spitfire and London Distress Fund, and as a result of the function the fund should benefit by over £2OO. This achievement reflects credit on the committee who organised the gala and also on all those who worked unstintingly in support of the effort. Five Christchurch men are prepared to back a chain of high hands in a poker game against anything the world can produce. One of their number startled the Saturday night school by producing a royal routine. , But there wore more startling things to come, remarks the 1 Star-Sun.’ The “ tiger pot ” was won with four aces, the resulting ‘‘ ace pot ” was won with a full hand, and then to cap the sequence four fives were the winners iu the “ jack pot.” As a climax the subsequent “ ace pot ” went to a player with a full 'hand. These were all successive hands. Incidentally, the first player, bought three cards to build up his “ royal.” A vessel which was sent to the Chatham Islands, after the disappearance of the Holmwood, taking stores and loading cargo for Lyttelton, has returned to Lyttelton. The trip was uneventful, and the vessel loaded wool at most points in the islands, bringing a total of 1,600 hales. About I,o*oo bales remain to be shipped from the islands. Three passengers, all men, arrived by the vessel. Residents of the island are not unduly perturbed at the disappearance of the Holmwood and take the view that those on board were taken prisoners by the raider and the vessel was then sunk. The vessel which returned from the islands transported the pieces of wreckage of the Holmwood from Kningaroa to Waitangi, where the constable took charge of them. They included some wood from llic bridge, with a wooden lifebuoy cicat on it, a partlyburned window frame from the bridge, and part of a fore-and-aft beam, about Sft long, from one of the holds. The wood from tho bridge bore marks stated to have been made by shrapnel. Pieces of metal from some of tho timber were forwarded’ to the authorities at Wellington. It is a political crime of the greatest magnitude that the best that the country can give the boys who have gone to fight and die for it is Is a day if they want to go on leave,” said the Leader of the Opposition, Mr Holland, in an address to National Party members in Christchurch North. That sum was all that was allowed to be sent to soldiers from New Zealand, vet Australian soldiers were allowed £6 a week from home. That was the result of live years of “ scientific control ” of the banking system. None of the present members of Cabinet knew what it was like to go to a war and to have a weeik on leave. “We have to starve the soldiers to preserve the remaining London funds,” Mr Holland said. “We are trying to build up London funds by keeping tho soldiers short of the things they are entitled to, to enjoy the fullness of life.” “ It is a very curious thing about New Guinea that during the whole time part of the area was under German control tho natives never learnt to speak one word of the German language, yet since tho mandate has been held by Australia and missionaries have penetrated into New Guinea and the surrounding islands the natives have acquired a very fair knowledge of English.” This was stated in Palmerston North a few days ago by Pastor R. E. Hare; who has been given a roving commission by the conference of the Australian Union of Seventh Day Adventists to assist the emergency precautions preparations. “ Draughts have been played for more than 2,000 years, and remain the most fascinating "game in the world,” said Mr J. F, Clark (chairman) at the opening of the Dominion draughts tournament in Christchurch. Mr Clark said that countless problems of draughts were still unsolved. Comment on the high degree of skill necessary in the game was made by the mayor (Mr R. M. Maofarlane, M.P.). He said he knew that New' Zealand players often held matches with players.in other parts of the world and in other parts of New Zealand, and ho felt that this was the spirit which would lead to better knowledge and better understanding in the international sphere. That people have been travelling just as freely during tho present holidays as in recent years is made clear by figures compiled by the train-running staff of the Railway Department. Re tween December 20 and 26 there were more than 14,000 outward passengers from thq, Dunedin station, compared with just over 13,000 in the same period last year, while inward, travellers numbered 10,434, more than 1,000 above last year’s figures. These totals do not include some 2,500 men vyho reached the city on board troop trains. Tim Railway Department advertises in this issue particulars of excursion fares and train arrangements in connection • with Wyndham races on January 1 and Oamaru races on January Z.