ISLAND AIR RAIDS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25083, 22 December 1944, Page 6

ISLAND AIR RAIDS

INTENSIFIED ATTACKS LITTLE RESPITE FOR ENEMY (R.N.Z.A.F. Official News Service) SOUTHWEST PACIFIC, Dec. 19 The Allies have intensified their attacks on important Japanese bases in the Solomons-Bismarcks a: „ and strong forces Of fighters and medium bombers ill the past few days have given the enemy little respite". Well-defended Kavieiig, at the northern tip of X ew Ireland, and Rabaul have been the principal targets of these raids and both have been subjected to a heavy battel ing. Formations ot Royal New Zealand Alt Force and United States Corsairs, with American medium bombers, tools part in an attack against Rabaul, wKhi, 10001b bombs were dropped 011 the enemy's supply areas. While the tigliter s concentrated on targets around Rabaul formations of Mitchells bombarded Matupi Island. Although results arc sometimes difficult to observe because of the nature of the country, all the bombs were seen to fall on the target areas. Kavieng was also raided by Royal New Zealand Air Force Corsairs, which flew over two enemy airfields there and plantations south of the town, dropping 5001b bombs. Several huts wore cither destroyed or damaged, and the pilbts came down low over populated areas in Strafing attacks. Anti-aircraft fire of medium intensity was encountered in some areas, but the Japanese fire is not very accurate. H<wever, a burst of 20mm fire struck <Jne Corsair, piloted by Pilot-Officer R. B Johnston, of Dunedin, and the aircraft arrived back at the base with a large hole in the fuselage. In a dawn Sweep by R.N.Z.A.F, Venturas over New Ireland, Flying-Officer W. ]?. Wilbv, of Palmerston North, flow over what appeared to be a Japanese encampment nr>nr a beach northwest of Lnmara Point. His gunners strafed the area and were surprised when an explosion, shook the aircraft and a dense column of white smoke billowed high into the air and around the aircraft, The pilot turned haek and bombed the target and smoke was still coming from the area when the Ventura left. Although confirmation was not possible, it is thought the strafing fired a small ammunition dump.

THE UNION BANK INSPECTOR RETIRES NEW AUCKLAND MANAGER The retirement of Mr TV P. Fotheringham from_ the position of chief in* spector for New Zaland of the Union Bank of Australia, announced early in October, will take effect on December 31. He will he succeeded by Mr W. Morrison. now manager at Auckland. Mr Fotteringham joined the hank in Australia in ]9OO and some four years later was transferred to Xew Zealand, where he has since served continuously, except for a short mission to London. He was appointed chief inspector in 1933, and was chairman of the Associated Banks in 1938. Mr Fotheringham would have retired 18 months ago, but he remained for a further period at the directors' request. Mr J. M. Saunders and Mr M. R. G. Matheson, managers at (Jhristehurch and Hastings respectively, will also retire at the end of the year. A number of consequential appointments include the following:—Mr J, B. Stewart, manager at Dunedin, to be manager at Auckland; Mr R. J. 5L Webber, manager at Pukekohe, to be manager at Hobiirt: Mr H. F. Patchett, manager at Lower Hutt, to be manager at Pukekohe; Mr A. V. Thomas, accountant at Auckland, to bft mania ger at Ixiwer Hutt: and Mr Brian Bailey, sub-accountant nt WellingtoA, to be accountant at Auckland. i:j „ RED CROSS OFFICERS ; RESIGNATION OF SECRETARY NEW APPOINTMENT RECEIVED The resignation of the secretary, Mf A. A. Hrrker. was announced at ft meeting of the executive of the Auckland centre of the New Zealand Red Cross Society this week. It was stated that Mr Harker had been appointed organising secretary of the Auckland sub-centre of the societv. It was also announced that Mrs E. V, Moore, who has been a member of the centre's staff, had been appointed secretary of the centre in succession to Mr Harker and that Miss I. Jones, aUo a member of the staff, had been appointed secretary of the Junior Red Cross.

ARMY APPOINTMENT COLONEL C. S. J. DUFF (P.A ) WELLINGTON. Thursday Appointments and promotion! df officers of the New Zealand military forcas gazetted tonight include the following:— Regiment of Royal New Zealand Artillery.— Major C. S. J. Duff is Appointed' Assistant-Quartermaster - G«neral. Army headquarters, and is granted the temporary rank of lieutenantcolonel. New Zealand Artillery. Major '(temp.-Colonel) E. J. Phillips, i* posted to the retired list with tlie rank Of colonel. ' ORDINATION SERVICE At a service in St. Mary's Cathedral yesterday morning, Mr W. J. Hugbes, formerly an officer of the Church Army, was ordained deacon by the Bishop of Auckland, the Rt. Rev. W. J. Sinlkin. The ordination sermon was preached by the Rev. S. G. Canlton, vicar of Oneliunga, and about 30 clergy took part in the service. Mr Hughes, who has been appointed assistant curate at St. Aidan's, Renmera, was attached for some time to tliP New Zealand Division in the Middle East. He received his theological train ing at College House, Christchurch. INSTITUTE OF VALUERS Presenting the report at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Institute of Valuers, the Dominion president. Mr A. W. A. Sweetnian, said that a further 30 members had returned from active service during the year. The operation of the Servicemen's Settlement and Land Sales Act was having a far-reaeb-ing effect on valuation work. Members had been brought closer together and the Crown had in most centres made use of private valuers for land sale* committee purposes. There was still room for honest differences of opinion. Officers for the ensuing year were:— President. Mr A. W. A. Sweetmart: Mr 0. F. Baker; council lor.s, Messrs G. R. Osmond. 0. Monrad N. H. Mackie, L. R. Brooker, J. A Wilson and A. F. Dutliie; Domini' l ' registrar. Mr A. 1). Thomson. TASMAN FLYING-BOAT A Tasmnn Empire Airways Hvinjiboat arrived yesterday from Sydney, carrying the following passengers:— Archbishop T. . Fvangeliniuis, Dr EL Vrisakis, Messrs J. Bassett. A. 0. Can* per. A. H. Gillies, J. Halligan, P« Hagendijk. H. K. Irving. 0. Tunstead. Y. van tier Valk, J. N. Whillet. Mesdames Z. L. Alexander. E. M- bassett. D. M. Bice and infant. R. Millsf IL.M. Milne, A. M. Townsend. PERSONAL ITEMS The Rev. Father P. T. B. McKeefr? left for Christchurch by air yesterday. Mr H. Donaldson, of fnvercargill., been appointed child welfare officer *■ Hamilton. Mr W. V. Dyer and Mr M. 11. Oram, M.P., have been reappointed as repiesentatives of the Victoria College Council on the M.assey Colleg board of governors.