GENERAL ITEMS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 22 April 1941, Page 4

GENERAL ITEMS

Less Callous Than Nazis “The behaviour of Italian submarines, on occasions, has been much less callous than that of the German,” writes Rear-Admiral H. G. Thursfield in the current number of “The Navy.” “The s.s. Shakespeare was sunk in the Atlantic after a gun action, which lasted two hours, against an Italian submarine commanded by Lieutenantcommander Salvatore Todaro. The survivors of her company, to the number of 23, including her master, took to the boats when furthei resistance was impossible, owing to their one defensive gun being put out of action. The submarine then closed and sank the Shakespeare by further gunfire; but instead of leaving the survivors to their fate as a German would have done, she towed the boat to within sight of land.” Public Trust Office Estates of a value of £737.570 were reported and accepted for administration by the Public Trustee during the month of March, 1941, the new business for the year being £6,964,179. Grants of administration made by the Court in favour of the Public Trustee numbered 113 for the month. During the month 629 new wills appointing the Public Trustee executor were prepared on behalf of testators and lodged for safe custody, and 404 existing wills were revised to provide for changes desired by testators. The total number of wills now held in the Public Trust Office on behalf of living persons is 105,079. Flying Types “We are fortunate in New Zealand in finding the natural characteristics of our young men so suited for aerial warfare,” said Squadron Leader A. C. McArthur, chairman of the Royal New Zealand Air* Forces Selection Committee, when visiting Wanganui. “More than 70 awards have been won by men from New Zealand since the outbreak of the war, and although it is not possible to assess the work of New Zealanders on this standard alone, nevertheless we must recognise it as a fair indication of the quality of our airmen. The selection committee tries to assess the applicant’s natural character and place him where he will be most useful.” India’s Heart With Us

The following is an extract from a letter received by a Christchurch resident from a friend working in south India: “Out here Congress demonstrates against the war and its members get arrested, but India’s heart is with us, and they are making magnificent gifts to the War Purposes Fund. In this Presidency we have already contributed three-quarters of a lak of rupees. We are also contributing air pilots and forces to Egypt, and war supplies in large quantities. Even Congress people come silently by night and contribute to the war fund anonymously.” Question of Service Proving that there are two sides to every question, the Marlborough Automobile Association had an explanation before it at its monthly meeting last week in regard to a complaint from the Nelson A.A. that one of its members had not received service when requested from a country garage in this province (reports the “Express”). The Nelson member alleged that he had a breakdown at night in an isolated locality and when he rang the nearest A.A. garage for assistance he encountered a refusal to go out. The secretary, Mr D. L. Duncan, gave an explanation he had elicited from the proprietor of the garage. This was to the effect that he was absent on another “case” when the telephone call came through, but his assistant had the breakdown truck ready for the trip by the time he returned. He again made contact with the stranded motorist, who decided of his own volition to leave the car where it was until the morning. Repairs were effected first thing next day. It was decided to forward the explanation to the Nelson Association. Enthusiastic Angler So deep an impresison has New Zealand trout-fishing made on Mr W. P. Crawford, a visitor from Malaya, that he hopes to return to the Dominion next January to fish some of the famous rivers and streams he has not seen during the present trip. Mr Crawford, who is at Auckland, has spent several months fishing in both the North and South Islands. “It has been a magnificent trip,” said Mr Crawford last week. “The impression I have is that there is no fishing in the world like that to be had at Taupo, as far as number and size of fish are concerned. I certainly have experienced nothing like it, but, as a dry-fly enthusiast, some of the dry-fly fishing on South Island rivers was more attractive to me.” Mr Crawford, who took fish up to 101 b in the North Island and 711 b In the South Island, mentioned in particular a trip he made with three friends, to Whanganui Bay, on the western side of Lake Taupo. Wading at the mouth of the Whanganui Stream, the four rods took 57 fish one evening and the following morning. The trout averaged over 71b, there being of 101 b. All were taken on the wet fly. The members of the party, in addition to Mr Crawford, • were Messrs T. Booth, of Malaya, W. G. Birnie, of Saigon, and Alan Pye, of Taupo.