LOCAL AND GENERAL

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24034, 4 August 1941, Page 6

LOCAL AND GENERAL

Last War Anniversary The 27th anniversary of Britain's entry into the Great War falls to-day. Hostilities began on August 1, 1914, between Germany and Russia, and the next day German troops entered French territory and Germany presented an ultimatum to Belgium, demanding free passage for her armies. On August 3 Germany formally declared war on France, Belgian neutrality was violated on August 4, and at midnight Britain declared war. Hitler's Time-table "During the fighting in Crete we captured orders which gave the German programme," states Lieutenant-Colonel -H. K. Kippenberger in a letter received from Egypt by the Rangiora Returned Soldiers' Association. "The programme was: May 20 and 21—Capture Crete; May 22—Reorganise; May 23 and 24 —Land in Syria. We at least put that well out of gear. In fact, if it had been possible to give us a bit of fighter support we would have pulled it off—nearly did as it was." Letter to Rear-Admiral

A decision to send a letter of appreciation to Rear-Admiral I. G. Glennie "for his magnificent work in smashing the German sea-borne troops attempting to make landings from the sea on Crete" was made at last week's meeting of the executive of the Cbristchurch branch of the Navy League. Members said they felt it was a coincidence that such signal assistance should have been given the New Zealand troops defending Crete by a section of the Royal Navy under the command of the former captain of H.M.S. Achilles.

Motor-car Lights The complaint made over recent weekends that many motorists are still disregarding the lighting restrictions was reiterated yesterday by several observers. "It looks like a flagrant contempt for the regulations," stated a motorist, who said he had encountered 15 cars with full headlights within a three-mile run on Saturday night. The view that persons driving with full lights were imperilling other road-users was advanced by another man. The glare was accentuated by the comparatively feeble light of cars conforming to the regulations.

Warning Siren Tests Warning sirens will be sounded on three days or nights in Auckland this week as a test in connection with the emergency precautions scheme. No notice will be given, and the warning will consist of three short blasts on sirens repeated three times. Tho object of the tests will be to make certain that the signals can be heard. The Mayor, Mr. J. A. C. Allum, chief warden, said on Saturday that signals would he made by all fire brigade sirens in the district. He added that tests would shortly be arranged to ensure a complete blackout in Auckland if a state of emergency occurred.

The Queen's Birthday Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth will celebrate her 41st birthday to-day, tho second of her birthdays to be observed amid the tragic realities of war. The deep affection which she has won in tho hearts of the British people and the admiration accorded her throughout the English-speaking world have been enhanced and given enduring quality by the steadfastness and expressive sympathy manifested by Her Majesty during the dark days and trials of her people. Her sharing of the perils of modern warfare has been a very real thing that will outlast many other memories of tho war. Demand lor Stockings News of the arrival of a shipment of stockings spreads like "bush telegraph" among women, according to tho manager of a Christchurch firm, whose hosiery department sold 61 dozen pairs of stockings on Thursday. Silk and artificial silk stockings placed on the counter at 11.20 a.m. were sold out by 2.30 p.m., and 15 dozen pairs of lislo. stockings were sold out by 4 p.m. Tho; purchasers were willing to take anything, regardless of colour or size. Of the silk stockings, eight dozen pairs were sold at Gs lid and 23 dozen pairs! at 7s 6d, 15 dozen pairs of artificial silk retailing at 3s Gd a pair. It is now not unusual for the entire stock, which in normal times would be a month's supply, to u sell out" in one day, said the manager.