SIR T. BEECHAM

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23817, 19 November 1940, Page 9

SIR T. BEECHAM

INCIDENT ON TOYAGE ANGRY AUSTRALIANS ATTEMPT MADE ON BEARD [from our OWN* correspondent] VANCOUVER, Oct. 26 The Vancouver News-Herald of today's date under the heading "Musician has 'Rough' Trip" says:— I'ellow passengers of Sir Thomas Beccham, distinguished British conductor, who arrived in Vancouver on Friday night, told the British United Press of resentment and quarrels between the musician and other travellers which culminated in an attempt I) 3' a group of Australians to shave off his beard on board ship. Sir Thomas allegedly made continued criticisms of Australians during the voyage, and quarrelled with several passengers. An attempt stated to have been made to break into his cabin was foiled when the musician locked himself in. One of London's most famous citizens, he arrived from Australia after a lecture and concert tour in the Antipodes. Ho said that Australian orchestras were much better than lie had anticipated, and praised John Barbirolli, who was formerly his assistant at Covcnt Garden. Leaving shortly for eastern Canada, Sir Thomas will return to Vancouver on November 17 to conduct the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra before proceeding on a tour of the United States.

STUBBORN PROFESSORS RAID WARNINGS IGNORED REFUSE TO TAKE SHELTER PORTERS' APPEALS NOT HEEDED [from a special correspondent] LONDON, Oct. 22 Air raids oil London have provided the council of a certain learned society with a problem—not how to supply adequate air raid protection for members, but how to persuade members to use the shelters provided for their safety. Porters come round when the siren blows. "Air-raid warning, gentlemen. Please go down to the shelter." But the members decline to take corer. Nothing could be safer than the airraid shelter, deep down in the cellar. Nothing could be more dangerous than tho glass-roofed and many-windowed writing room in which so many obstinate professors and students prefer to stay. The elderly ones are the worst. Thcv have done their writing in their favourite nooks, at their favourite desks, for 30, 40 and 50 years. They do not see why they should be disturbed, and packed away into gloomy vaults among deeds and documents just because the bombers are overhead. So now the porters bring a different message: "Air-raid warning, gentlemen. The president asks you please to go to the shelter.'' Or sometimes: "Please go to the shelter, gentlemen. There are three members of the council in the building." The presence of authority, symbolised by council or committee, has had some effect. The elderly gentlemen who voted for these authorities are prepared, if pressed, to obey them.

DECLINE IN MARRIAGES RESULT OF AIR RAIDS [from a special correspondent] LONDON, Oct. 22 Central London, not surprisingly, reports a big slump in marriages. The superintendent-registrar at Caxton Hall Register O'ffice —the centre for the whole of tho city of Westminster —said this week: "For the past four days 1 have taken no notices or applications for .marriage licences. "This is due to the air battles that have been going on. and to the fact that all types of people in uniform and other workers in the war are too busy with their jobs of beating tho enemy to thilik of getting married." Tn the ordinary way in an office like Caxton Hall there would be at least 12 licences a dav, and, at busv times, as many as 30.