Our Live Letter Box

Camp News (Northern Command), Volume 1, Issue 13, 26 July 1940, Page 5

Our Live Letter Box

AJAXES. “Tommy,” North Head, writes: — How many ships named Ajax have there been in the British Navy? ANSWER: Eight. First was a 74-gun ship of 1,619 tons, built in 1767, which took part in the battle of St. Vincent in 1780. Number seven fought at Jutland and was scrapped in 1922. ■ ■ • • ' * * * * SHORT STORY. “Sam Trentham writes: — A Russian goes to Poland, falls in love with a Polish woman, gets married, journeys to England, where a child is born. . What’s the child ? ANSWER: Unlucky. ' * * * ♦ CALL. ■ “Bdr.,” Wellington, writes: — A clarion call should be made to the public! Simplify your diet: this induces health and will greatly help to preserve the food supply. ANSWER: Oh. have YOU just woke up ? * * * * * I REMAKE. “Cats,” Naval Base, writes: — " Is it true that during the last war half of the destroyer Nubian and half of the Zulu were joined to make one ship ? ANSWER: It is. And she was named, or re-named, Zubian.

HALF-MEASURES. ‘Wings,” Papakura, writes: — Is it possible for a plane to land after its propeller has been shot away ? I say it is, a pal says it isn’t. What do you think? ANSWER: Provided that only the propeller was shot away, and there was no damage to the engine—rather unlikely—the plane would be able to glide to the ground. We have it on reliable authority that the sensation is exhilarating, to put it mildly. * * * * * ON THE WAGON. “Camel,” Papakura, writes: — I am now twenty-two, and since I was eight I have not drunk any tea, milk, coffee, or any other beverage except water. And sometimes, from the time I get up in the morning to the time I finish' my day’s duties, I don’t even drink that. ANSWER: Remember to keep your mouth shut when it rains, lad. You might get drunk. ♦ * * ♦ POT. “John,” Everyman’s, Trentham, writes: — It dawned on me at length that I am a teapot. Consciousness is the spout, the inner self the bowl, the will the handle. The brew? I cannot say, unless it is a supernatural or divine flow. Usually I’m just a teapot. When wise, and exalted I . . . the eternal spirit . . . criticises the teapot which is handled in improved style. Would you call me potty? ANSWER: Willingly.