MARTON NOTES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 19, 23 January 1946, Page 2

MARTON NOTES

W.A.A.F.’S EXPERIENCES

A holiday in England before the war turned into a s.x and a-half year stay in Britain for Miss Betty Oliver, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. G. G. Oliver, Marton, who returned recently after service .with the R.A.F. and Women’s Land Army.. Miss Oliver, who is a sergeant in the W.A.A.F., wears a uniform similar to New Zealand W.A.A.F.’s, but has the distinctive English service peaked cap.

Before leaving some months before the war, Miss Oliver was a Karitane nurse. Shortly alter the outbreak of war, she joined the Women’s Land Army, with which she served for about six months. She later returned to Karitane nuns.ng before joining the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. After doing administration work for some time, Miss Oliver transferred to the medical section.

Although she saw something of New Zealand in Br.tain, she could not achieve her ambition oF being posted to a New Zealand station. At a R.N.Z.A.F. depot in Brighton she met many New Zealanders. Most interesting experience in her service was during the last few weeks of the war, when she was with an air ambulance section, bringing wounded back from Europe by air. For this work, aircraft nurses underwent a special seven-week course, which included ten and a-half hours’ flying experience. Miss Oliver made two trips to Germany before VE-Day to wounded back. Such trips did not allow nurses an opportunity of sight-seeing, as planes landed at frontline air strips, and nurses were under escort, and not allowed to leave the flying fields, said Miss Oliver. Miss Oliver referred to the scarcity of English rations compared with the abundance of food on New Zealand tables. On the trip to New Zealand there was more butter available on the boat than the majority of passengers had seen for years. The receipt of New Zealand food parcels was most welcome in England, and the quantity and variety of New Zealand foodstuffs sent to England were a never-ending source of delight to recipients, said Miss Oliver. MARTON A. & P. SHOW RECORD ENTRIES IN ALL CLASSES

Record entries were received in all classes for horses, cattle, sheep and. pigs from exhibitors from all parts of the Manawatu, Rangitikei, Wairarapa afid Wanganui districts, and there is every prospect of the 1946 show establishing a record. Sideshows of all descriptions will be operating, including some of the latest entertainments in New Zealand.

The Scottish dancing at night has attracted competitors from all parts of the Dominion, who will be competing at the Turakina Caledonian Society’s annual gathering on Saturday before visiting Marton. The programme of events is a very comprehensive one, and competition in all classes should be very keen. The Marton places of business will close at 12 o’clock on Wednesday in order to give everybody an opportunity of attending the show.

Mr. E. B. Gordon, M.P., will officially open the show at 1.45 p.m. and the grand parade will take place at 2 o’clock.

THE KIWIS IN “TUNISIAN TEMPO”

“The Kiwis” will stage “Tunisian Tempo” at the Taihape Town Hall tonight and will make their final appearance in the Civic Theatre, Marton, on Thursday night. The box plan is now open for Marton at Mogridge’s, where the bookings are exceptionally good. Sparkling with humour, sketches songs, orchestral and other items, “Tunisian Tempo” is another non-stop comedy sensation, and patrons can rely on a high-class entertainment being staged.