NEWS IN BRIEF

Southland Times, Issue 24757, 30 May 1942, Page 5

NEWS IN BRIEF

ALEXANDRIA’S WALLS: A description of the early walls of Alexandria is contained in a letter received by Mrs A. B. Crozier, Dudley street, from her son, Sapper Basil T. Hansen. Sapper Hansen said that as he walked around the walls he wondered how long it took to build them and how old they were. They were very much worn in places and the tops were covered with shrubs and trees. He supposed they would be 2000 years old. He took a photograph of an old lamp and a small basin which had just been excavated by an Australian archaeologist. They had been in an Egyptian tomb for nearly 2000 years and he was the first New Zealander to see them. RECREATION HUTS: Because of defence construction requirements, the delivery of bolted huts for recreation purposes for troops on home defence duty has been delayed. Mr G. A. Hayden, secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board, says the board has placed orders for 60 of these huts, which are so designed that they can be dismantled and moved with the troops as required. It was hoped to have the majority delivered at an early date.—P.A. OYSTER SUPPER.— Southland soldiers will have thoughts of home in about seven weeks’ time when the annual oyster supper is provided at the Christchurch Welcome Club. The Southland Provincial Patriotic Council has arranged to send three sacks, containing about 200 dozen oysters. WRECK OF SCOW.— No reports have been received of the fate of the scow Horouta, which dragged on to the rocks at Centre Island on Thursday morning. It is understood that the crew is endeavouring to salvage the cargo. No hope is held for the salvage of the vessel.