CABLE ITEMS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1940, Page 7

CABLE ITEMS

BOMBING EXPERIENCES. ' DARWIN, Sep. 2. A woman who has lived through 7b bombing raids arrived recently at Darwin by ilying-boat. She is Mrs P. A. Rathgan, who, with many other British women and children, have been voluntarily evacuated from Malta. She left Malta on July 9, almost a month after Italy declared war on Britain. Site said: “The worst experience J ever had was when the Italians use>eiearning bombs. They used them nly once, and it was terrrible.” Mrs Rathgan eaid damage caused jy Italian numbing raids oetween .J urn. _u and July 9 was slight, mainly because the buildings were of stone. The greatest number of raids in out Jay was 13. •‘Once a bomb fell into the sea near my nat, which was on the Esplanade, sue said. •‘Each house has its own air-raid ‘.-iielter, but there is a big tunnel a linilong that is used mostly by Maltese. since Italy declared war on antain TOGO Maltese have lived in tillaiiinel, and are apparently quite at home. ,'•When we left Malta for Alexandria ■n a naval convoy we were bombed contmously on the voyage. “Bombers brought down by Malta’s aefences were German machines manaed by Italians.” CATHOLIC' OFFERING SYDNEY, Aug. 29. The Catholic Church has offered jno of its finest proper ties to tire military authorities tor use as a Defence Eorces convalescent hospital. This was announced by Archbishop aiiroy yesterday at the annual reunion ,f St. Gaoriel’s School for Deaf Boys at Castle Hill.. “I have undertaken to have tin maiding completely equipped and staffed within one month after the acceptance of the offer,” Archbishop Gilroj .aid. “Immediate provision, jjvill be nuuU .or 100 convalescents, to be increased -s required to a maximum of 3U\J beds “The Catholic United Services’ Aux.iary will be entrusted with the inainMnance of the home. The maximum charge to the Govinment vvill be the-ordinary allowance aado to other organisations for similar work.” The offer has not yet been accepter ,y the military authorities. The-secretary of the C.U.S.A. organisation (Eather Clark) said last night “The property is occupied by a religious community and is one of oui best possessions. “It is in six acres of ground, and the military .authorities say it is idea. or convalescent requirements.”

SILK STOCKINGS AS TRAP. LONDON, Aug. 28. : Police authorities have appointed giri detectives to trap confidence tricksters aid racketeers in London's West il«nd. ihe girl detectives will wear sipart-y-tailored costumes silk stockings, an u .ug-heeied shoes, instead of the usua, .inform and heavy boots of the policewomen. Lack girl will be given instruction 11 modern detective work. They will be paid £3 a week, plus „ress allowance and ‘'cosmetic expenses.” CONFESSED TAKING POISON. SYDNEY, Sep. 2. “I have taken poison.” said Mrs Francis Barbara Wirth, 65, to Patrick <2, at her home at Gymea Ba\ esterday. She died a few minutes later. Detective-Sergeant Gee and Detec.ive McLachlan, who visited the house, recovered a spoon on which was strychnine powder mixed with jam. They were told Mrs Wirth had been despondent and in ill-health. Thomas Atkinson, 62, a carpenter, was found dead by his wile at his niome in George Street. Penhurst, lasi night. He was lyong on his bed with a deep wound in las throat. A razor was on the floor. Fifteen minutes earlier Atkinson liau told his wife that lie was not feeling well, and " f as going to his room to lie down.

SMELL OF BEER. SYDNEY, Sep. 2 Beer was the only smell everyone mew in a smell-detecting test at an Vir Raids Precaution lecture at San„ou House, Pitt Street, last night. Members of the class were given four liquids to identity ho help them nth gas detection. The liquids were cold tea, ammonia, jeer, and chloride ot lime. The class consists of tenants and inployecs of buildings in the block ounded by Pitt, George, and Hunter treets, and Martin Place. The lecturer (Mr Alan Brooksbank) said air-raid garden shelters which would stand a debris load of 75 tons were available in Sydney Jor £l2 each