LEAVE IN LONDON

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23347, 2 November 1945, Page 5

LEAVE IN LONDON

Kiwis Impressed

Broadening Experience

By Telegraph—N.Z Press Assn -Copyrlgb: (8.20 p.m.) LONDON, Nov. 1. London’s fog was swirling, damp and chilly, thickening the darkness and masking the pavements and streets, but for two Kiwis on leave from Italy it added spice to the problem of navigating their way home from Bayswater to the Milestone Club in Kensington. Blithely they entered the park and set out on a short-cut. Soon they were "bushed." but they ambled steadily along, travelling hopefully. Suddenly they saw two dark slender forms a few yards away. “Natives,’’ they told each other. "They can probably put us right." They took a few more paces. Then one Kiwi inquired politely: "Can you tell us the direction of Kensington High Street?” The dark slender forms remained silent and motionless. So the other Kiwi said: “We are a bit lost and want to find the Milestone Club.” Silence again. Their polite inquiry was just about to merge into a pictur-

esque commentary, when abruptly it became the ejaculation: "Well, blank me, they are a couple of blankety trees!"

This incident, which they recounted with some amusement on eventually reaching the club, was one of several minor experiences of members of the Second N.Z.E.F. on leave from Italy The majority of Kiwis willingly admit that London is a much bigger place and more interesting than they had ever imagined.

Some, perhaps, are a little inclined to be casual after several years' travel and were quite prepared to be unim - pressed, but even they admit that London has “got something” and, as one digger remarked: "Everything here is hustle-bustle, but there is no confusion and everything is very orderly.” The New Zealanders are finding this leave to Britain a broadening experience in many ways. Some frankly admit that although they met a number of "Tommies” in the Middle East, they still imagined that the English largely conformed to their overseas caricature—“haw haw” or “Gor" blimey”—but wherever they have been in Britain they say they have found the average person just like the New Zealanders at home and willing, even anxious, to help them and answer their inquiries. Ready Welcome They have been much impressed with this and also with the ready welcome that their New Zealand titles received, which made them realise that New Zealanders generally are well liked in Britain and have a respected name.

In London, many Kiwis have "done” the sights—the Houses o£ Parliament, Westminster Abbey, St. Paul's, Buckingham Palace and the Tower of London. They have driven round the city in buses specially provided and have been out to places of interest, such as Windsor Castle and Hampton Court Palace. They found fascination in the underground railway system and were delighted with the daily shilling tickets which allo.v them to travel anywhere in London on either tubes, buses of trams.

Many have been quite content to spend a few quiet days in the city after their arrival and then take the train almost invariably to Scotland and chiefly with Edinburgh as the first stop. Many, of course, went to Wales to see the Kiwi football team play against Swansea and Llanelly, and there they were surprised and delighted to find that some of the local inhabitants were foolish enough to contemplate laying bets against the Kiwis. Many consider that there is quite a bit of a future —and modest cash—in travelling round with the team and continuing this pleasant and seemingly perpetual form of surprise. Others again found no reason to criticise the English weather. The gales they discovered just to their liking—particularly when it means that the leave boats taking them back to the Continent on the first stage of their return journey to Italy have been delayed by as much as 96 hours. Believing this too good to be true, they have listened carefully to the 8.8. C. news bulletins, checked information with the R.T.O. officers at main line stations, at New Zealand clubs and in the newspapers. For them the English weather certainly has its points. Last night 300 or 400 Kiwis went to a ‘ real New Zealand dance." It was held in the Royal Horticultural Hall at the back of the Army and Navy Stores in Victoria. There they were met by pleasant partners found for them by the Women’s Voluntary Services, a good bar and excellent supper, the band of the Goldstream Guards and Tommy Trinder, who handed them a few wisecracks. Lady Freyberg was hostess, and when the dance ended at 11 p.m. there were buses to take them back to the club. These dances are to be held fortnightly and judging by the first, they will ail be successful and enjoyable. Among the Kiwis generally there was one universal opinion. With recent memories of meagre rations in Italy they take a “good view” of English beer. As connoisseurs they admit it also has its points—particularly when unrationed. And there was likewise one invariable succinct reply, if they were asked whether thev were enjoyin gtheir leave: “I'll say.”