STOP PRESS

Evening Star, Issue 24116, 10 February 1942, Page 8

STOP PRESS

LINEII ON FIRE. RUGBY, February 9. The United States liner' Lafayette, ■which was formerly the French liner Normandie, is on fire, according to a Press message from New York. Every available firefighting contrivance on the west side of Manhattan Island has been summoned to the scene. The 2,500 workmen reported to have been on board are thought mostly to have escaped, though some are believed to be trapped below decks, and rescue squads have started to cut through the starboard hull to relieve them. The commandant of the third naval district is said to have stated that a spark from a worker’s torch started the fire, which a brisk wind quickly spread. SINGAPORE GUNFIRE. SINGAPORE, February 9.—The gunfire on the night of February 8 was a continuous roar which rattled windows and shutters throughout the island. Thousands of shells must have been fired. Some fell in the outskirts of the city. Although it was evident that the barrage was the prelude to an attempted landing, few expected the attack so soon. Chinese volunteers who received their baptism of fire stood up to it with the calmness of old campaigners. More lorryloads of Chinese left the encampments this morning for the front.

A later message from Singapore states: “ The situation on the island is well in hand,” said General Gordon Bennett in an interview. “ We have taken a stand on a strong line, and are organising an

attack whch it is hoped will recover as much as possible of the lost terrain.” The Tokio official radio claims that Japanese parachutists occupied part of the big British aerodrome in western Singapore, and that further landings have been made on the northern and north-west coasts. CHARGE OF MURDER. Rakapa Nukunuku, aged 28, appeared before Mr Stout, S.M., in ;he Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, m a charge of murdering Mary ?urrie at Titahi Bay on January 8. Je was remanded till to-morrow ■veek. The police stated that they •vonld proceed with the hearing on fiat day.—Press Association. AIR CASUALTIES.

The following additional air lasualtics were announced to-day 'all members of the R.N.Z.A.F.): ’ilot-officer Michael Patrick Aiig-

incl, officially presumed lost at sea; ather, Mr M. J. Angland, Oneunga. Pilot-officer William Upon Hewett, officially presumed lost t sea; mother, Mrs J. E. Hewett, lambridge. Pilot-officer Maurice lelton Campbell, officially preuni cd lost at sea; father, Mr A. E.

I'ampbell, Christchurch. Sergeant ack Kendrick Ibbotson, missing on ir operations; father, Mr H. Ibiotson, New Plymouth.—Press Asociation.