MADE MAYOR

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21356, 26 February 1941, Page 7

MADE MAYOR

SERGEANT IN LIBYA ADMINISTERED AI'OLLOMA LIVED IN PALATIAL HOUSE (From the OlTlclal War Correspondent with the New Zealand Forces In the Middle East) CAIRO, Feb. 24 Not King for a day but Mayor for five, a Wellington staff sergeant ol the New Zealand Field Park Engineers was the central figure in an extraordinary and amusing episode in the final stages of the British occupation of Cyrenaica. Leading a small advance party into the town of Appolonia after the fighting troops had passed hurriedly through and beyond, the sergeant found himseU stepping into the role of protector and administrator, with the duties ol doctor and midwife thrown in for good measure. The townspeople, who were of Italian, Turkish, Greek and French extraction, and were living in fear of disorders, had established themselves in caves. When the sergeant, accompanied by a lance-corporal and a sapper, entered the town, he met an earnest plea for aid in restoring normal community life. The three New Zealanders took over patrolling the streets and helping distressed families, and by the afternoon of the second day most of the people had moved back into theii homes and businesses. Given Keys of Bank Installed in the palatial house of the former Governor, the New Zealanders called a meeting, at which a city council was elected by the choice of the leading member of each racial group. The sergeant in turn was elected Mayor, and took over the keys of the bank, the municipal offices and the assize branch. The new Mayor called for a neighbouring Arab chieftain and was promised his co-operation in maintaining law and order. Every hour saw a further return to normal. On the arrival of an Australian administrative party a few days ago, the New Zealanders left Appolonia with mixed feelings amid handshakes, kisses, salaams and cheers. Presents were literally showered upon them, including a beautiful silk municipal flag now gracing the company orderly room. DAY’S WATER SPORTS CARNIVAL ON NILE (From the omcla: War Correspondent attached to the New Zealand Forces in the Middle East.) CAIRO, Feb. 24 A carnival scene on the River Nile provided a fresh example of the flavour of novelty with which the intensive training of the Expeditionary Force has been spiced. In a full day’s water sports the troops cheered representative teams to victory through a series of races in which Army bridging equipment was used exclusively. Culminating a period of bridging training by day and night, this unique regatta Introduced a competitive element as a means of perfecting skill and confidence in handling reconnaissance and assault boats designed for the transportation of troops across waterways. Having held eliminating trials to select teams, the units gave an interesting and instructive programme of events, which was based on the regular operations for which the craft were intended. For instance, the main event, which was an assault boat relay race, might have been a demonstration of infantry sections crossing a river to go into action on the far bank. The boat crews showed an excellent standard, but one provided an unscheduled entertainment when they collided with a native sailer in the muddy Nile water. New Zealand Beer Various brands of New Zealand beer, tobacco and cigarettes have lately been put on sale to New Zealand troops for the first time. All lines have keen extremely popular and rationing has been necessitated to ensure the widest distribution of the present consignments.