GUERILLA WARFARE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25289, 24 August 1945, Page 6

GUERILLA WARFARE

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS BEHIND LINES IN ITALY LONDON, An?. 23 Gunner H. J. Banton, of Whangarei, and Private S. B. McFarlane, of Wellington, who are novr in London awaiting repatriation, joined the Italian Partisans and waged guerilla warfare against the Germans and"Fascists after escaping from a prison camp at Arro, in Vercell Province, 011 September 8, 1943. Both were captured at El Alameiit and taken to the north of Italy. They escaped with Privates G. A. Schultz (Tarnnaki), R. V. Howe (Devonport, Auckland), and W. J. Clements (Masterton) and two Australians. AH linked up with the Partisans and fought and sabotaged behind the enemv lines. Later they joined the 'British military mission at Proupper. in Piedmont. with which they remained until the Allied occupation of North .Italy. Gunner Banton was dressed in mufti. Aided by his_ knowledge of the Italian language, w]iich he picked up in prison jcamps, he _ lived for a long period at Bielfa, which was then garrisoned by Germans and Fascists, slipping out at frequent intervals to transmit information to the mission's mountain, headquarters. The work of Gunner Banton and hi» fellow-escapees was highly commended by the commander of the mission

STORAGE OF WOOL USE OF GAOL YARD (0.C.) GISBOKNE, Thursday Temporary accommodation for 33,000 bales of held-over wool is to be provided at the site of the Gisborne gaol, where the three walls of a yard are to be incorporated into a building. This will enable a clearance to be made from brokers' stores, in readiness for the new season's clip. The walls will be heightened and a fourth added and the yard will be rooted. With the wool now temporarily stored at the Waipaoa works, Waikokopu and elsewhere in the district, added to that awaiting transfer from the appraisal stores, Gisborne brokers are holding between 60,000 and 70,000 bales tor shipment. LOCAL AND GENEEAL Painting tor Art Gallery A painting by Lucca Cambiasso entitled "Saint Peter Rebuking. Dents at the Temple" has been bequeathed bv the late Mrs Aethel du Rieu Green, of Auckland, to the Auckland Uty Council. The intention is that it shall be hung in the Auckland Art Gallery. Hospital Milk Quality It was unsatisfactory that out of nine tests of milk made at the Auckland and Green Lane hospitals during July six had failed to comply with the requirements, said the chairman. Mr i. J. Goldsfine, at yesterday's meeting or the Auckland Metropolitan Milk Council. It was decided to have inquiries made into the matter. Early Whitebait Quantities of whitebait were netted in the Grey River on \\ ednesday and runs were reported at Hokitika and Westport. Although some good catches, were made yesterday along the banks of the river near Greytnouth. a rmign sea on the bar had a detrimental .effect on the fishing. No supplies have yet been sent to markets in Christchurcb, and the retail price in Greyniouth-is 5s a pint. Manpower Committee A:> the Auckland Industrie! Manpower Committee will be in the country and members of the deputy committee Mill not be available, no appeals will be heard in the city next week. The committee will sit at Taenia and Waifli on Monday, at Taurnnga and _W hakatane on Tuesday, at Opotiki and Rotorua on Wednesday and at Hamilton on Thursday. Cases concerning appellants from Taumaruuui will be aeard at Hamilton. Colliers for Union Company A suggestion was recently made to the Union Steam Ship Co. by the Auckland Chamber of Commerce that the companv should purchase several lightdraught vessels of the type of L.C.I, s (landing craft tanks) for carrying coal cargoes from the West Coast of the South Island. In a reply received at yesterday's meeting of the chamber was advised that such ships would unsuitable for navigating bar harbours. The Union Co. stated that it bad already placed orders_ for' a number oi more up-to-date collier#.