DANISH NAVY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24676, 31 August 1943, Page 5

DANISH NAVY

DENIED TO GERMANS PERSISTENT OPPOSITION When the Germans invaded Denmark they announced that they were going to make themselves "systematically loved," but .Danish reciprocity has made the country as uncomfortable for the forces of occupation as any other tmder Nazi domination. The most ingratiating moves of the occupation authorities have uccn met with chilly, ironic courtesy, students' Churchill clubs, every kind of non-co-operation, a rising tide ol sabotage, and the last reported act ol defiance and denial, the sinking or escape ot ships or the Danish jNavy \\ hen Werner iiest, oennau .Minister in Denmark, demanded the handing over ot ten torpedo boats, states the publication the New Republic, he '.\as reminded of a promise that the navy should remain intact in Danish hands. The Nazis protested that they had been misunderstood; they wanted only to hire the ships. King Christian retorted: '"The Danish Navy is not for hire." Flagship Bombed 'lo prevent their navy from tailing into the hands of the Germans, the Danes have taken heroic action that was apparently both concerted and well timed, resulting in more than twothirds of the fleet being scuttled. According to the latest edition of Jane's Fighting Ships, the Royal Danish Navy .comprised two coast defence vessels, 17 torpedo boats, 12 submarines, fishery patrol vessels, minelayers. tenders, and the Royal Yacht. Swedish reports say 45 ships have been scuttled and that nine ran the gauntlet safely to Swedish waiers. The flagship of the fleet, the Niels fuel, of 3SOO tons, is stated to have been sunk by bombers while seeking the sanctuary ci a neutral port, Denmark had proposed to build two coast defence ships of about 7000 tons displacement, well protected and with a main armament of four 10-inch guns, while they were to develop a speed of IS knots. However, it is believed no effective steps have been taken for their construction. The personnel of the fleet comprised 4000 of all ranks at the time of the invasion. Lloyd's Register in 3P09 announced that the Danish mercantile marine consisted of 709 vessels, aggregating 1.176.173 tons gross. Activities of Patriots I.itile has been heard of the activities of Danish patriots, who have been encouraged and supported by the example of their ruler, in resisting the invader by active means, but passive resistance admittedly has been almost universal The real quantum of pro-Nazi sentiment in Denmark was revealed recently at the general elections, when "Quisling" candidates received but 2 per cent of the votes cast and 90 per cent of those eligible went to the poll. For a long time the Germans would rot admit that the daily outbreaks of fire in factories, the discovery of metal fiSinss in butter and the decayed state cf the fish sent to Germany were act* of sabotage, but more recently they had permitted the publication of minor ■acts of this nature as a warning. No mention in the press of serious occurrences. such as the putting out of commission of dockyards and power stations. has been allowed. Rewards offered to informers hare had no claimants. it is said. The total number of Danish workmen who have left for Germany is about 35.000.

DIVORCE DECREES

UNDEFENDED ACTIONS Eleven undefended divorce petitions were granted by Mr. Justice Fair yesteniar. Adultery t>y his -wife, Violet Caroline Eastlake, with his brother, Allan Eastlake, was alleged bv Alvin Francis Eastlake (Mr. Moody), who petitioned for divorce. Petitioner said he was married in 1924 and there were two children. Earlier this year he had reason To suspect his wife's conduct with his brother, and after an argument with her she left 'home with the children. He later located her living in a house with his brother, and admissions of infidelity had been made. His Honor granted a decree nisi. Some two years after their marriage he and his. wife had agreed to separate, said Eric Raymond Freeman Thompson (Mr. Dickson), in a petition for divorce from Florence Joyce Thompson on the ground of adultery. As a consequence of information he had received from the police that his wife had threatened to commit suicide, he had traced her to a flat at Grey Lynn, where she was living with a man named Bert- Whitton. His Honor granted a decree nisi. Evidence that, when she had gone to a room in a city hotel with a private inquiry agent one evening in June she had found her husband with another woman, was given by Sarah Ann Plamus (Mr. Dickson) in a petition for divorce from Joseph Plamus. A decree nisi was granted. On the ground of separation by agreement or order, decrees nisi were granted in the following cases:—V>"i]fred Arthur Ramsay (Mr. Baigb) against Frances Elizabeth Ramsay (Mr. Moody); Robert Booth (Mr. Dickson) against Amy Louisa Booth; David Norman Coults (Mr. Dickson) azainst Isabel Coutts; Inez Esther Renata (Mr. Dickson) against David Renata. Desertion was the ground on which decrees nisi were granted in the following cases:— Gladys Virginia Rosendale Mold (Mr. Moody) atrairist Arthur William Geoffrey Mold: John O'Dell (Mr. Dickson) against Emily O'Dell The respondents having failed to comply with an order for restitution of conjugal rights, decrees nisi were issued to the following petitioners:—Leo Pelhic Cole (Mr. DickKin) against Lorraine Verona Cole; Pear! i Lilian Jane Sedcole (Mr. Dickson) strains! j Janies Archdell Sedcole. ORDERS TO RETURN Two petitions for restitution of conjugal rights were heard by ?}lr. Justice Fair yesterday. Orders to return were made on hehalf of Acme Sarah Elizabeth Howard (Mr Dickson) against Laurence Buchanan Howard, and Brian Weybourne Hilton (Mr. Dickson) against Nance Hilton. BASKETBALL GAMES Auckland Association.—Senior grade: Westmere, 8. 15th A.A., 5; Killarua, I.'l. Edendale 6; Surrey Hills. )7, Surrey Hills (2), • r >; Edendaie.' 11. Arahi, 8. Senior reserve: Grammar 10, Grammarians, S; Middleiriore. 16, Belvedere. 2; Belvedere. 9, IZM. 2; Killarua, 10, Grammar 7; Northcote, 8. Grammarians, 7; Edendaie, 6. IZM, 3. Killarua. 33. Northcote 4 Senior B: Arahi, G, Mama. 0; Papatoetoe. 16. Metro. 6; Marua. fc. Huia. S; Argosy, JO. Arahi. I Huia. 11, T.K.G., 9. Second A: Shamrock. 20, Chi Idswear, A; Oiahuhu. 25. Edendaie, o ; Arahi, S, Seiwj-n, 4: Wiseman's. I.'-!. Childswear. 5, Tan. paki, 20, Edendaie. 6; Berlei. 7, Grammar. •'! Second B: Byerofts, 6, Milk Products 4; Technical, 2. Y.W.C.A.. 2; Milk Products 11. Edendaie. 2;' Rainster. 8. Technical. 3; Ao-Tea-Roa, 14. Edendaie, 7: New Lynn. Court's, 2. BRIBERY OF PLAYERS Allegations o! an attempt to bribe players were discussed by the New South Wales Rugby League in committee. Later the president. Mr. H. Flegg, announced that he would not comment on the discussion. It -is understood, however, (hat (lie League will not take action. The allegations were contained in a letter received from Mr R. 0 Courtney, a_ widely-known enthusiast and donor of the Courtney Goodwill Cup for international competition. In his letter to the president of the Rut-by League, Mr. Courtney pointed out that three players had been approached and offered money to refrain from playing their best. The players concerned refused to consider the matter, but reported it- to their club officials. An attempt to trap the instigators of the offers was made without success.

PIGEON RACING Mount Albert Club.—Race from Hunterrillt, 217 miles, for Mrs. Howe's trophy: C "Walker's Lady Devro. 1289 yds, 1; A. Wa'lker's Prince Sbad. 12SRyds. 2; D Ryan's BlackGin 1272 yds. 3. Northern Club.—Race from Taumarnnui 1-15 liiilea: K. Finlayson's Master Bolton 3205.fiyds, 1; N Waddell's Slipper, 12!)0.2yd5. 2; W. Sargent's Osman Queen. 120,'ivdR. 3. Nomination prfze.s■ K Finlayson. VV Hooton. o Otahuhu Club.— Race from Taihape: 1 Vitaji's Smoky. 1185 yds. 1; E. Hayes' Black Magic. 11 S3.oj'ds, 2; F. Blade's Tiny and R lover's Par Avion, 1183 yds, dead-heat-, 3. k '