New Zealanders See The Town

Northern Advocate, 16 August 1940, Page 7

New Zealanders See The Town

“Buckingham Palace and Madame Tussaud’s, they’re the places we want to see.

This was the chief request of hundreds of New Zealanders of the Second Echelon who streamed into London on short leave in the second week of Juiy. Train after train brought them nooding into the Strand and to their mecca, New Zealand House. It was Mr. Jordan, the High Commissioner, who promised, when he spoke at camp that they would receive every attention. And London New Zealanders certainly excelled themselves to fulfil the promise. High officers commanding the men were warm in their praise, and one of their chief desires was that "those at home” should be fully assured on this point. “The arrangements have been firstclass,” said a brigadier. “They could not have been better.” Actually New r Zealand House was not the mecca that the troops expected. There was not enough accommodation. So the New Zealand War Services Association rented the Adelphi Theatre, next door hut one to the High Commissioner's offices, and they did everything possible to see that "the boys” enjoyed their London leave.

Mr. Jordan was there to meet them, and every member of the committee and many voluntary New Zealand workers/ gathered in full force. \ Among them was Mrs. Freyberg, wife jof General B. C. Freyberg. Recently | returned from Egypt, she brought J many happy memories of parties and j entertainments for the troops in Cairo. One of her chief pleasures was to entertain a party of 25 convalescents front the hospital each week. 1 The main entrance hall and booking I office of the Adelphi were converted I into a general meeting place. The men ; were met, their inquiries'heard and j answered. At the ticket offices they j were given seats for theatres and cineI mas at reduced rates, told where a I dance was fixed for them, directed to i board-and-lodgfngs, and invited and j encouraged to put down their names ! for sightseeing tours of “the town"— ! for London is just “the town" to the ! New Zealanders. j Arrangements made, they set out to I see the sights. Some were definite in I their desires, and the reputation of the I Chamber of Horrors had undoubted attractions. Others were more vague and "just wanted to sec the town.’ The Chamber of Horrors, j The Adelphi was the rendezvous for New Zealand sailors and airmen as well as for the newly-arrived troops. One group of ratings, tired of the unyielding streets, sank in the soft chairs of the auditoriupi and were content to i rest in the dark. Presently lights were put on for them, and they read until a restlessness to see more of London returned. Then they set off in a body ! for Madame Tussauds, and the Chamber of Horrors, almost filling a bus to overflowing as they clambered on board. At the Adelphi Theatre members ot the association worked hard and cheerfully. They all agreed vociferously on one point; that the secretary. Miss Jean McKenzie, had shown amazing tact, organising ability and tirelessness.