Aeroplane Crashes.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LXI, Issue 196, 21 July 1941, Page 4

Aeroplane Crashes.

Paring a training exercise from the Whenuapai air base, an aeroplane crashed on the beach at Fiha on Saturday afternoon. The occupants, PilotOfficer J. It. Bew and Leading Aircraftsman D. Gale, received very slight injuries. The aeroplane was damaged tairly extensively.

Control of Home Guard. The future of the Home Guard in New Zealand is stated to be involved in proposals which have been under consideration by the War Cabinet. Although no decision has yet been announced, it is considered strongly probable that in a short time the Army will take over control of all reasonably fit Home Guardsmen Two Women Members.

By the election of Mrs M. M. Dreaver to represent Waitemata, the House of Representatives has, for the first time in its history., two women members. The late Mrs Elizabeth McCombs was the first, and at the last general election the Wellington West seat was won for Labour by Mrs C. C. 8. Stewart. It is thought likely that the two women members will share a double bench in the House. At present Mrs Stewart has a single seat.

By-Laws Contravened. Strongly criticised by councillors at a meeting of the Hutt County Council were two Government farm cottages being erected at Paraparaumu. “They contravene every single by-law,” declared Cr E. W. Vickerman. “We ought to cuter the strongest possible protest.” The inspector’s report said that the buildings were not being built according to the building by-laws, and they did not comply with the drainage and plumbing regulations. “We have come to a pretty pass in this country,” said Cr J. B. ialdwyn, “when the Government does not even comply with its own regulations.”

Ambulance Brigade’s Service. Members of the St. John Ambulance Brigade (including representatives of tlie Nursing Division) have given greatly appreciated service at Rugby football matches. At Rugby Park on Saturday they attended lo ten cases, on the previous Saturday there were 14 cases attended to at the Sportsground and, a week before that, 17 cases at Park Road. On Saturday, at Park Road, there was an unusual accident in that players from opposing teams collided and each suffered a broken nose. The .players (Jenkins and Dear) were from the Halcombe and United junior teams, respectively. Rome Comedy Session. Writing to a friend in Westport, Driver W. Treioar, who is with the N.Z.E.F. in tiie Middle East, referring to news, says, “In the desert we seldom see a paper unless it is about a week old and our knowledge of world affairs is limited to tne 8.8. C. and tile Axis stations during sueh times us wo are home ill our advaneed company camp. Most units have a radio and ot course the most popular station is the 8.8. C. Rome provides the comedy session in the desert since they tell us or air raids on our own area which ‘caused widespread destruction among troop concentrations’ when no such raids have taken place. For a long while rye were in ail excellent position to judge the truth or otherwise of Rome radio war news, since we were stationed at a spot which was mentioned every night. They claimed raids when no raids took place, widespread damage when the bombs landed a mile away from ain conceivable target area, and after months and months of bombing the entire area was as devoid of damage as is Granity.” Air Raid Damage. Describing the state of the Bank ot New Zealand in London after a recent heavy air raid Mr L. Warner, of London, stated tliat great gaping holes in the walls, and the windows blown out, were the only signs of damage from the street, hut inside it was utter confusion. “Quite apart from such building of historic interest as the Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, and ibt. Clement’s Dane’s Church, there are many other buildings wellknown to Londoners now entirely demolished.” he wrote. “From Fleet Street, right through to the 'Mansion House it is a scene of desolation and such fine oid places as the Inner Temple have suffered severely. The Temple Church and a number of the Chambers are entirely gone. The last London raid caught the Strand very badly. Most of the buddings from the Adelphi Theatre to Charing Cross are now entirely out of commission. The very fine Halifax Building Society block has been gutted. New Zealand House was rather lucky, and as far as I saw, only the front was blown in. Higher up, however, alongside our old Aldwych House offices, the General insurance building received a direct hit. taking the corner and one side riglit off.”