WORK FOR TROOPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25300, 6 September 1945, Page 7

WORK FOR TROOPS

MANY FRIENDS MADE LADY FREYBERG'S services When Lady Freyberg, the wife of the new Governor-General, Lieutenant-Gen-eral Sir Bernard Freyberg, V.C., arrives in New Zealand she will not come as a stranger, for she has made countless friends among New Zealand service men and women both in the Middle East and England. By service personnel in the Middle East Lady Freyberg will always be remembered with gratitude for the voluntary work she undertook in connection with the New Zealand Forces Club in Cairo and also for the hospital visiting she did in that area. She joined her husband in the Middle East with the sole purpose of doing some useful war work and it was in the New Zealand Forces Club and in the various hospitals containing New Zealand sick and wounded that she found her sphere of service. Members of the Women's War Service Auxiliary who wont to the Middle East in relays nearly all worked with Lady Freyberg and found her charming, kindly and efficient, with a remarkable flair for organisation. A Soldier's Birthday Cake Lady Freyberg was a regular hospital visitor in the Middle East and a firm friend of sick and wounded New Zealand servicemen. On one occasion she found a young Maori soldier, who had just had his leg amputated. He was lying with his face to the wall, ill and miserable. She asked him if there was anything she could do for him and after much persuasion the soldier indicated that there was something he wanted, but "there wouldn't be time for her to get it." It was his birthday i the next day and he wanted a cake. Lady Freyberg thereupon obtained a birthday cake from Cairo, complete with candles, and sent it to the young Maori. Some months later she received a letter from him written after his repatriation to New Zealand. A returned New Zealand officer, who worked with Lady Freyberg to a considerable extent in the Middle East, said yesterday that her hospital visiting was an important part of her war work. "I have seen her coming out of a hospital ward trying to keep the tears back, he said, "it was not just official visiting with her. There was more to it than that." Supervisor of Fernleat Club From Egvpt, Lady Freyberg returned to England and in December, 1944, the Fernleaf Club in Lowndes Square, London, was opened under supervision. Lady Freyberg took to England with her from Cairo 13 New Zealand Tuis to help at this club. In the first World War, Lady Freyberg was also an active worker and afterward published a book entitled "Women of the War." Lady Freyberg is the daughter of the late Colonel Sir Herbert Jekyll, K.C.M.G., of England. Her first husband was the late Hon. Francis McLaren, M.P. She married Sir Bernard Freyberg in 1922 and has one son, Paul. Lady Freyberg was awarded the 0.8. E. in 1933 and in December, 1942, was mentioned in despatches for gallant and distinguished service in the Middle East. She has never been to New Zealand. INTRUDER CAUGHT J MAORI'S FIERCE STRUGGLE ■ ... 4 INCIDENT IN ROTORUA (0.C.) ROTORUA, Wednesday The story of a chase of an intruder found in a house and of a fierce struggle before the man was arrested was related before justices in Rotorua today, when George Ngarimu, aged 37, a Maori, painter, of Auckland, _ was charged with breaking and entering a dwelling in Amohau Street on August 27 and stealing an overcoat. He was also charged with being unlawfully in possession of explosives. He pleaded guilty. The occupant of the dwelling, L. C. Cruickshank, engineer, gave evidence that he was with his family in his house when he looked into the front bedroom and saw accused half-way through the window which previously had been closed. Witness said. "I've got you," but accused dived through the window and ran into the street. Witness went in pursuit and overtook Ngarimu in Eruera Street. During a struggle, witness stated, he was struck several blows on the head with some hard object. Accused kicked witness and tried to gouge his eyes. Two men came to witness' assistance and accused was held until the arrival of the police. An overcoat which accused had thrown away belonged to witness. Police evidence was given that when searched Ngarimu was found to be carrying in a handbag three plugs of gelignite, a coil of fuse and five detonators. On the charge of being in possession of explosives Ngarimu was sentenced to three months' imprisonment. He was committed for sentence on the other charge. CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP SYDNEY. Sept. 5 After the second day's play in the Australian chess championship, only three players Purdy, Steiner and Watson, remained with unbroken scores. The young New Zealand champion, Wade, followed up his brilliant win of the first round by playing cleverly against the Victorian champion, S. Lazare. The game was adjourned with good chances for Wade TEACHERS APPOINTED The following: teaching appointments were authorised at a meeting of the Auckland Education Board yesterdays— . Head Teachers. —Mr E. G. Smith. Kaingaroa; Mr S. R. Cromwell, Tangiteroria; Miss M. D. Tudehope, Papamoa. . Sole Teachers. —Mr R. C. Cousins. Maroa; Mr C. G. Price. Mokauiti: Mr E. W. Comes. Karamu: Mr L. G. Shepherd. Medlands. Secondary Assistant Masters.—Mr C. F. Peacocke, Kawakawa District Hmh; Mr li,. D. Budden, Ngatea District High; Mr W. N. Bouse M.A., Whakatane District High Assistant 'Masters.—Mr S. W. Christie. 8.A., Hamilton East; Mr E. B. Bath, faumarumii District High. . T Secondary Assistant Mistresses.—Miss J. L Warren, Kaikohe District Pligh; Miss P. Ij. Jones. Olorohanga District High. Senior Assistant Mistresses. —Miss M. Pedersen Avondale Primary; Mrs D. M. Kirk, Beresford Slreet; Mrs C. M. f-itzgerald. Maungawhau. \ssistant Mistresses. —Miss M. P.. Caughley. Te Papapa; Miss G. M. .Tones, Te Hua Hi,a- Mrs E. M. Orchard, Hamilton East; Miss' A. M Hall, Mangere Bridge; Miss N. C, Miercrornbie, Morrinsville District High; vfiq, s. R. T'-gan, Okoroire Railway; Mrs M. Pinnegar, Opotiki District High.