Oslo Cleans Its Attics

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 171, 22 July 1939, Page 11

Oslo Cleans Its Attics

OSLO—Air Raid Precautions have their lighter side. To comply with new regulations forbidding combustible materials under the roof, Oslo has been having a mass spring-clean of its attics. And what a remarkable assortment has emerged from houses to bo piled up r.n the pavements in readiness for the X>olico and fire brigado to cart away. | Enough comic musical instruments to furnish many a band havo appeared. Statues, tall wooden flower-vase stands, and antique divans on one, two, and j three legs have provided a glimpse back j into fashionable furnishing of yesterday. It has all been most intriguing and tho biggest fun Oslo people have had for some time. Everyone knows how one is always going to clear out the attic. But there so often is just one other job moro important to do first. But Oslo citizens had the decision made for them by the Civil Air Defense Committee. And glad they aro of it. For now there is an unusual tidiness up aloft; several charwomen are proud possessors of hats which, if not new, aro at all events old enough to look striking; tho museums ,iavo benefitted from the discovery of .some real treasures; and finally on a flat island just outside Oslo whero they took tho rubbish, the people havo beer, enjoying a daily bonfire display. | The authorities wondered how the I people would react to the campaign. But tho topic became tho talk of the 'town. Tho children were tho first to ; appreciate tho possibilities of the spring cleaning. As tho piles of odds and ends grew up outside the houses waiting for tho removal vans sthey sampled tho weird assortment of musical instruments. Some owners stood by to protect their junk till it was safely taken away. Others preferred* to take a look round at what others had been hoarding.

Dad’s Doings “Yes,” said the schoolmaster, “I must confess that your son has a great thirst for knowledge. Where does he get it?” “The thirst,” said the pupil’s .mother, “he gets from his father and ‘his knowledge from me.”