The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 8

8 THE MANCHESTER GttAffEBIAN, SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 1942 CHAPLAIN'S D.S.O. PENNINE WAY- FROM PEAK TO CHEVIOTS CIVIL DEFENCE WORKERS Home Guard Duties NORTH-WESTERN PLAN A scheme for the enrolment of Civil Defence personnel in the Home Guard is set out in a circular sent by, the Regional Commissioner (Lord Geddes) to all local authorities in the North-west Region. It has been agreed upon after consultation with the military authorities. The revision by scheme-making authorities of their Civil Defence establishments with a view to releasing as many whole-timers as possible, it states, may result in further burdens on part- MILES jOLWAY FRTH No Right of Way iPrestcm La3e, Carlisle, i (not continuous -N iltt Af A 4,1 ST URHAM Wooler 0 i ffk vj land MsvsssjjeBeaaawneartaBesaejswn a route which kept to the high ground, touched as many of the principal heights as possible, and included the most interesting topographical features of the region such as Kinder Low, Gordale Scar, Tan Hill (where stands England's highest inn). High Force, Cauldron Snout, where the Tees cascades over a barrier 'of basalt.

High Cup Nick, which comes as a climax to one of the 1 grandest crossings of the Chain, and the Roman Wall. The survey disclosed that over the planned route of 250 miles public rights of way bridle, roads and footpaths still exist unchallenged for more than 180 miles. Over stretches varying in length and totalling 68 miles there are no such rights. These gaps are mainly in areas where moorland is preserved for groiise-shooting, and one of them well known to Manchester ramblers comprises Bleaklow and the western edge of Kinder Scout (across bv the Downfall), to which all public access is strictly prohibited. Another extends for four miles along Blackstone Edge.

The Way flanks some of the country's greatest centres of industrial population. In the south within a short distance of it are Manchester and Salford, the East Lancashire towns, and 'Sheffield. Farther to the north are Leeds and Bradford and other West Riding towns, and at the northern end is the populous Tyneside. CHESHIRE HALL AS HOSPITAL Wives of Service Officers and Men Burma and Libya Awards An Army chaplain who walked 30 miles through the Japanese lines after helping to evacuate the wounded from hospital in Pegu is one of six men awarded the D.S.O. for bravery in Burma.

The "London Gazette" announces that gallantry awards have been won by 26 members of the British Forces in Burma and over 80 by men in the Middle East. The chaplain who staved behind in abandoned Pemi is the Rev. Neville Sidney Metcalfe, chaplain with an armoured unit ana iormeny curate at Old Radford -Parish Church. Nottingham. He had seen the' wounded safely from tne town ana was loiiowing in the last ambulance wnen tne Driage over the Pegu River was blown- up, cutting off his retreat.

After crossing tne river ne securea a lorry, neipea tne wounded to safety, and then struck off into the jungle on foot. Before he was picked up by a British truck 30 miles south of Pegu his shoes had fallen apart and ne was waiKine in his stociunaed feet. Mr. Metcalfe's wife lives at Langpey House, Stillington, Yorks. ui tne Miaaie jsast decorations a car to the D.S.O.

has been awarded to Brig. (Temp.) uaroia Kawaon Bribes, loth Baluch Rest. Indian Army. The Middle East awards are as follows BAB TO D.S.O. BrU.

tTem.) BartU Baw Brlfn, Aaiucn izKuan Army. D.S.O. Caat. (Temp. Malwl Pblll mlllaa GUittaae Paw.

M.C., B.A.. Enter. Major (T. UeaL Col.) Colla Stnart Oaacan, vuneron wiuaniurs. Anmeananr.

incua, M.C. LItal. RrilniU Kllner Braaln Bltcacack. B.A.C. (Dragoon Quants).

Wool. Dome Col. (Teai. Btajar) Antkaar Desaa4 Bex TTlMfleM. K.A.C.

(Huuaral. Andover. Cl. Kabert Alfred Areker-Skee. R.A.C.

(Hunan). Blandlord. See. Ueat, Jakn Bennl Balllva. R.A.C.

(Hiuaara). Chelaea Cast. (Tenia. Major) Taresce KlteaU R.A.. Bovtj Tracer, Detoo.

Ueat. Xema. CapO LancaM JaaKa BraUock. BJL. Great Crosby.

Liverpool. Urni. (Tea CapM Nevearab Speitea Caldwell. B.A.. PoUokahleVda.

nr. Glasgow. Ueat. (Temp. Capt.) John Aatkaoy Etatei.

B-A-. Hemvoek. Devon. Lieut. John Hnmphrej Ffrlk, R.A., Blidenlum.

ueaiora. Ueat. (Q.kt.) Bavlaod OavaU BUI. R.A.. HuntlSKdon.

Ueat. Hearr Nicholas strakcr. R.A., Chelsea. 2 Llrnl. Georn Edward Mnsent FawceU.

R.A.. Seven, oaks. 2Ut. Rodney WUUan St. Geetce Trier, R.E.

(att. Royal Bombay 8appera and' Mineral. Banaalore. Capt. Brinaler InUst Laard, Coldstream Guards, Wrotham, nr.

Maidstone. 2I4enU Gearn rarker Bidder, Royal Sussex Henley-on-Thames. Ueat. WllUasa Prater. Gordon Highlanders.

Warwick. Lieut. (Temp. Capt.) Jalm Frederleli Daxdale. R.A S.C Shrewsbury.

Capt. Archibald Miles Caster. R.A.M.C.. East Sheen. Capt.

John McDonald Dealsa, R.AJX C. Porta- 6o wd, county Armagh. Lieut. (Aetr Capt.) Herbert Cecil Bock, 1st Punjab Rett Indian Army Llenl. (Temp.

Capt.) William Geeffrer Popple. 16th Punlab Indian Army. Lieut. Ro)rrt Edward Cole Bawert. South African Forces.

Mnleslm Awal Saad All Bakoaaa. Libyan Arab Force. D.CM. Wo. CI.

1 (B.S.M.) T. Darts, R.A.C. (Hussars). Wadhurst. LCpl.

G. L. Rlmmer. R.A.BC Blrkdale. M.M.

Stt. O. F. Barker. R.H.A..

Rlrhmond. Torkshlre; Bdr. F. Gilbert, R.A. Forest Oate: Tpr.

R. M. Rowney, R.A.C. (Draioon Radford, Coventry: Tpr. W.

M. H. Hendr. R.A.C. (Hussars).

Souths. te; WO CI 2, (Sq. S.M.I R. Q. Knight, R.A C.

(Lascars). Sldlesham: L'Sft L. O. Welham, R.A.C. (Lancers).

Northntld. Birmingham; Staff Sgt. A. Holden. R.A., Burnley; Sgt.

W. Bacon. Bromley; Sgt. R. K.

Hewlsh, R.A.. Surhlton: Sgt. M. J. T.

Town. FA London. S.W. 19; Sgt. B.

5. Ward, R.A-, Doric aster; LSt Z. Rile j. RA, Everbm; Lftat. o.

W. Wa'ker. R.A., Harrow-on-ttof-Hlll; Bdr. E. Morris.

R.A Bolton: Bdr 8tranxe. R.A.. Harfleld. Derbyshire; Bdr. J.

Tncklebank, R.A.. Ssarkbrook, Birmingham; Gnr. L. Cowle, Wtngate, County Durham; Gnr. C.

S. Staines. R.A Rotntord; Set. O. T.

Maaterman, Coldstream Hull: LSgt. J. Dennis, Coldstream Gds HuddersOeld; Odsmn. E. Wood, Coldstream Saltier.

Birmingham; L'Cpl. If. B. P. Fraaer, Scots Tweedmouth; Sgt.

W. R. R. Suraex Haywarda Heath; LCcl. F.

W. Hall. R. Sussex Petta Wood; Sgt. T.

Cunningham, RlUe Brigade, W. Croydon; Sgt. G. H. AekrlU.

R.AiO.. HarUngton, Middlesex; Drr. S. Lister, R.A.BC. Leeds; Dvr.

T. A. Walker. R.A.S.C.. Charlton: Staff Sgt.

T. H. Broom, R.A.M.C.. Scarborough; Pte J. A.

Williams. R.AM.C Clirynydd. Pontypridd. The following awards are in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Burma DS.O. Ueat.

Temp. Captain) Stephen Charles Francis, W. Yorks Sway. Hampshire. The Rer.

Netllla Sidney Metcalfe, B.A., C.F. 4th R.A.CD Nottingham. Llrut. Col. Bonatd Tkoaaaa Cameras (107B3).

5th Royar Gurkha Rifles (Frontier Force), Indian Army. M.C. Ueat. Michael Melville Stanley-Evans (126345). R.A.C.

(Hussars). Godalralng. Ueat. Artkar James Fearnley (180745), R. Tank Rest.

R.A.C., Swlnton. Lanes. D.CM. 5493034 Pte. -H.

S. Brawn. R. Tank Rest; R.A W. Cpl.

E. M. Sayle, Cameronlans. Ramsey. Isle of Man.

Sgt. C. A. JaeksoD, W. Yorkshire Rejrt.

(The Prince of Wales's Own). Pte. T. H. Rawnaley, Duke of Wellington's Leeds.

REPORTING ACCIDENTS Motorists' Obligation Under the provisions of the Road Traffic Act a motorist must report to the police any accident which occurs by reason of the presence of his car on the road, whether or not the car is itself involved in the accident. This was emphasised by the Salford Stipendiary Magistrate yesterday, when William Chanmng, garage proprietor, of Southlands Avenue, Peel Green, was fined 3, with 10s. costs, for failing to report a black-out accident in Regent Road which resulted in injury to a woman. Mr. H.

S. Holmes, defending, said that Channing pulled his car up at least a yard from the woman, who appeared to be drunk and staggered and fell into the road. As he had not been involved in an accident Channing took the view that he was under no obligation to make a report to the police. The Magistrate, Mr. F.

Bancroft Turner, said it was immaterial under the Act whether there was an impact or not, Channing had himself agreed in evidence that the shock of his car pulling up so near to the woman could have caused her to stagger and fall, and there was consequently no Question hut that the accident was due to the presence of his car on the road. NEW JURY NEEDED Mistake in Murder Trial Ruling that the jury "might be prejudiced because a wrong document was handed to them, Mr. Justice Asquith at the Old Bailey yesterday ordered a fresh jury to be empanelled to try the case of Gordon Frederick Cummins (28), an R.A.F. cadet accused of murdering four women and attempting to murder two others. The rehearing will begin on Monday.

Superintendent CherrilL Scotland Yard finger-print expert, was giving evidence when he noticed that the jury appeared somewhat puzzled. He looked' a an exhibit and said to the judge I the jury have been handed a wrong exhibit." The Judge told the jury "by some natural mistake, but one which is most unfortunate in all its circumstances you have been handed a wrong exhibit. Possible, and very probabje, that with this exhibit before you you might have drawn certain inferences which would have made it impossible for you to try this action. "Under the 'Circumstances, this being a canital trial, rintra nnti. discharge you and to ask for a separate a PAY-AS-YOU-EARN A plea for a reconsideration nf the income tax deduction proposals and the substitution of a scheme on the "pay-yu-arn" basis is made by Mr, "Vft Houghton, general secretary of the Inland Revenue Staff Federation, in a memorandum issued to ULPjs.

It says that the present deferred system of tax payment is unsuited to the habit of life and psychology of the workers; Hadrian's Wall and about twenty miles beyond the Chew Green Roman camp. The idea was first suggested in 1935, and three years later the leading walkers' and footpath societies officially adopted it. The promoters, led by Mr. Tom Stephenson, of London, and Mr. Edwin Royce, of Manchester (now secretary and chairman of the Pennine Way Association), organised a survey, and this was carried out by various ramblers' federations.

The aim was to map out ON INDIA Not Weakened and equal member in the free association of peoples who constitute the British Commonwealth. "Meanwhile the dissatisfaction or hesitation among Indian political leaders has not affected the loyal response of over a million volunteers who have flocked to serve their King-Emperor in the field. They have come forward as fast as weapons could be provided for them. They have fought with conspicuous gallantry on many a hard-fought field in this war on the outer marches of India's defence. They will, I doubt not, fight with equal- valour in the defence of India herself, if the need should come.

Nor can I believe that, in that event, Indian political leaders who love their land and hate our enemies, will not give them their fullest support, even if they have not seen their way to doing it in the way in which we believe that sun-port could have been most effectively given." Speaking on the war position Mr. Amery said The next few weeks may be more fateful for the future of the world than any since Dunkirk. "They will decide whether our main enemy has shot his bolt and the end is in sight, or whether further years of uphill struggle lie before us," he declared. FRITTERED AWAY" Bankrupt's Cash Spendings The public examination was concluded at the Manchester Bankruptcy Court yesterday of H. B.

Sorensen. broker, formerly manager of the Sorensen group of bacon importers, who had lived at Meadow Bank, Timperley, but is now serving twelve months' imprisonment in the second division for fraudulent conversion. His deficiency was given as 2.655. Mr. F.

H. Langmaid, Senior Official Receiver, said that Sorensen- had been ordered at the last hearing to prepare a full account of moneys received and paid between September, 1939, and December, 1941. Questioning Sorensen about figures, he suggested that he had used the bank account of the Sorensen group as though it was his own. Sorensen agreed that the total amount owed to the group was 3,932, and he also agreed that he had had to raise cash and "hang the future" when he was selling goods at a loss. Mr.

Langmaid referred to navments made by the bank, and saying that they seemed to cover almost everything asked about the cash payments. There had been, he said, about 1.000 snent in cash in the two years. Sorensen denied that he had gambled, but admitted he had lived extravagantly. He belonged to a golf club and spent a fair amount of money there Mr. K.

T. S. Dockrav. the Registrar. said the case had given the court considerable anxiety.

Having regard to the fact that full investigations had been made in other proceedings, the Court was satisfied that this was the case of a young man who had come into control of large sums of money which did not belong to him and which he had tmtered away. CATHEDRAL SKRVICKS Erensong at 5 30. Holy Communion: Sundays at 9 a.m and after Matins: Holy Dij Fridays at 11 am. Baptimi after due notice. Saturday (St.

Ma-k, Evangelist and Martyr). Matins said at 9 a Holy Communion (plain). Erensorui: NlchoTsrm in fat- ihnn UR Anthnv Lo. round the Throne" (H. O.

Ley) (tunc by fall oemce oi intercession. 1 to I ou pjn. Third Sunday after Salter. Matins 10 30 Te Deum Stanford In Benedlctua Chant 96: Psalms 124. 125: Anthem.

Blessinc. clory. and wuai toacnr; no? imuntuuon. Dance in ir; Hymns 35. SO.

132. 1 Q3 fmiw bv fall ehftlrl. Kven. sane: Church Lads Brade Psalm 23: Anthem. JeSU.

lover of mv cnnl miffci- Rmm, UA 167. Krenlnc rriee at 6 30 p.m. (tunc hy the voluntary choir); Psalm 46 (Chant 41); MipilrVit 38; Nunc Dtrmtto 4: Hymns 166, 657. 338 o-. ui.

ioa. Freacners: iu au. we ey. J. C.

QUI (omnndns letttarr of Chfe SO. the. Bey. P. Williamson.

BJL. Vicar of St. Andrea's. Ramsbottom: 6 30, the Very Bex OarfieM wiiiaim. ln In Brief Mr.

Alexander Theodore Newboult. who at the time of the Japanese invasion of Malaya was Under Secretary Federated Malay States, has been selected for appointment as Colonial Secretary Fiji. At Salford yesterday Ernest Heywood (56), carter, of Tomlinson's Buildines. Salford. was fined 2 for failing to ir- form fire-guard duty on April 3, and 1, wnn costs, for obtaming the subsistence allowance by false pretences.

For stealing bv findine five rolls nf fire hose, value 30, George Cunliffe, dock labourer, of Slater Street. Pendle ton, was fined 2 and was ordered to Dav to the owners on account of a portion he had used, at Salford yesterday. The following namps nf RririoVi DrisonerS Of war' in Italian hanric nnmo from an Italian source Sereeant Thomas Davis, co Mrs. Davis, 78, Wager Street, Liverpool, and Sergeant Lowdon, co Mrs. George Lowdon, 11, Naval Street, Durham.

"Every endeavour is hem? mnHo through the protecting Power and by the International Red Cross to obtain infor mation about the condition of the people in Malaya since the Japanese conquest," states Mr. Harold Under Secretary for the Colonies, in a written answer. son of a Derby engine-driver, is Britain's new envoy to cimopia. nis appointment was gazetted last night. Mr.

Howe, now v( ww t3 aciiuui UU WIIU WUH scholarships which took him to Cambridge University. He has held appointments at Copenhagen. Belgrade, Rio de uauciru, ana j-aivia. Trip TVfinicrpr nf announces that as a result of discussions between representatives of the Chinese Chinese seamen and British shipowners. an agreement nas Deen reached improving the wages and conditions of pmnlnvmpnt nf Phinoca rrnmnn m) 11V serve in British ocean-going ships.

CANADA AND WAR EFFORT Some indication of Canada's war effort was given by the Canadian Government Trade Commissioner, Mr. A. E. Bryan, of Liverpool, in handing over a mobile trailer kitchen, a gift from Halifax, Nova Scotia, to Accrington, yesterday. He spoke of its shipment of foodstuffs, the increase in its Army, Air Force, and Navy, and its industrial efforts.

Lord Geddes, the Regional Commissioner for the North-west, said he would like to convey to the Canadian High Commissioner the thanks of the people of the North-western district for all they had done and were doing. He spoke of the admiration in this country for the fighting qualities of Canadian soldiers and airmen. The Commissioner knew how the people of this country had faced up to the times and the difficulties that had been thrown on them by the Hitler gang. He knew to-day what a tremendous output of munitions was pouring out from this country and how the people were as they had never worked before. That did not mean that we could not do more.

SCHOOL HEALTH AND WAR Dr. Kenneth Fraser, School Medical Officer for Cumberland, states in his annual report that the effects of the war on the children, in spite of food rationing and perhaps to some extent because of it, have not been harmful so far as general physique and nutrition are concerned. He says that under rationing the consumption of plain and wholesome foods. is the order of the day. "There is less consumption of tinned foods, pastries, and sweets.

There is a tendency to a higher appreciation of the value of mQk and fresh vegetables, and no doubt, too, the black-out has tended to a general earlier bedtime and longer hours of sleep for our child population. It may be hoped that some of these lessons will be remembered when peace returns." time personnel, and, possibly, addition to their numbers. Before authorising members of the Civil Defence services to enrol in the Home Guard the authorities should assure themselves that their essential Civil Defence serviecs can be maintained at effective strength until armed resistance to the enemy becomes the onlv con sideration of real importance. Permission to enrol should he given only to persons young enough and fit enough for combatant duties, and only to such numbers as the authority approves. The general intention is to ensure that as large a proportion as possible of the part-time Civil Defence personnel eligible for enrolment may secure isuch training in Home uuard duties' as will enable tnem to contribute to the defence of their home area in To assist in this it has been agreed that Home Guards may, if their military duties permit, deputise for Civil Defence personnel on Civil Defence duties, and it is hoped that, in this way.

it will be possioie tor groups of the Civil Defence personnel to receive, in rotation, the requisite training, after which it may be possible for them to be returned to their normal part-time duties in Civil Defence subject to refresher courses with the uuara. Forming Gun Teams A special scheme may be applied in certain areas where there are antiaircraft batteries by forming eight gun teams from the Home Guard, of which two, not drawn from Civil Defence personnel, will be musterable and the remaining six non-musterable. Each team will take up dutv one night in eight, but, in the event of the Home ouards being mustered, all the Ciyil Defence personnel will remain available lor civil duties. As the civil contribution to the offensive is production, says the circular, authorities, particularly in industrial areas, should prevent men engaged in work of national importance from undertaking training and duties for such hours as would undermine their capacity for work. The Home Guard will thus have two lists, of which one will be of men avail able for service immediately the forces muster and the other of men who will report for orders, but who will, normally, resume their civil employment until the operational situation requires their mustering Civil Defence personnel can go onlv into list 2.

Part-time members of all classes of Civil Defence services may be enrolled in list 2 with the exception of members of first-aid posts and ambulance and sas- indentification services. Whole-time paid members of the civil services will not be permitted to enrol at all, and anv already enrolled should, in agree ment with the Home Uuard commander, oe instructed to resign. Ordinary members of the Home Guard may be permitted to assist as individuals in the performance of Civil Defence duties, including Are prevention, provided that all available civil reserves are being used to the full. In addition to the assistance they already render to civil authorities during and after heavy raiding. Home Guards (acting under their own officers and N.C.O.s) may be ordered, as units, to assist with fire prevention and other v-ivu duties auring lull con ditions." While the demand for training will vary, it may be assumed that, during the first four weeks.

40 of the 48 hours maximum duty will be devoted to Home Guard training, and the balance reserved for Civil Defence refresher and other training. The periods will change as Home Guard training becomes more complete. In no event should Civil Defence duties be brought below igni nours in any iour weeks. The Fire Guards The position as if affects Are guards is thus set out: "Fire guards of local authorities who become Home Guards are thereby relieved of compulsory fireguard duty by virtue of the statutory exemption contained in the compulsory enrolment order. It is desirable, therefore, that Are guards should not join the Home uuards such numbers as would cause an acute shortage of fire guards.

or aggravate existing shortages. Such shortages may be avoided either (a) by tne persons so joining the Home Guard agreeing to continue to perform some fire-guard duties voluntarily under the local authorities in addition to their Home Guard duties, or (b) by the Home Guard authorities undertaking to assist in making good the shortage by providing personnel for fire-guard duties, acting as units under their own, officers or N.C.O.S Modifications of this are the exclusion from the scheme of head and senior, fire guards where whole-time paid members of the Civil Defence general service, and the exclusion of unpaid part-time head and senior fire guards. Statio Home Guards, that is, persons whose civil defence duties would require them to remain in the building even when fighting was taking place outside, should resign from the Home Guard. "Such resignation should not be suggested (says the circular) except in the case of. nigner omcials and other key men and even some of these might be retained in the Home Guard.

MAY BLACK-OUT From May 3 black-out time is 45 minutes after sunset to 45 minutes before sunrise, except in Scotland, Northumberland. Durham, and Cumberland, where the difference at both ends is one hour. The following table gives the black-out and light-ing-up times for the Manchester area Black-out. p. m- a.m.

1...10 7 to 6 4 2. ..10 9 to. 5 47 3.. .10 86 to 5 45 4...10 28 to 5 43 .10 29 to 5 41 6...10 31 to 5 39 5 37 8. ..10 55 to 5 35 9...10 56 to 5 3S 10.

..10 38 to 5 32 11. ..10 40 to 5 30 12.. .10 42 to 5 28 12.. .10 43 to 5 26 14.. .10 45 to 5 24 15...10 47 to 5 23 16..

.10 48 to 5 21 17.. .10 50 to 5 20 18...10 52 to 5 18 19.. .10 53 to 5 17 20.. .10 55 to 5 16 21.. .10 56 to 514 22..

.10 57 to 5 IS 23...10 59 to 5 12 24...11 to 5 11 25 11 2 to 5 9- LlghtlXK-CP. jtu a m. 10 37 to 34 10 59 to 5 32 10 41 to 5 30 10 43 to 5 28 10 44 to 5 26 10 46 to 5 24 10 48 to 5 22 10 50 to 5 20 10 51 to 518 10 S3 to 517 55 to 515 10 57 to 5 13 10 58 to 5 11 i u5 May 11 2 to 5 8 11 11 11 11 3 to 5 5 to. 5 5 to 5 3 8 to 5 2 11 lO to 3 1 11 to 4 59 11 12 to 4 58 11 14 to 4 57: 11 75 to 4 56 11 17 to 4.54 11 18 to 4 55 11 RO to 4 53 11 21 to 451 1122 to 4 50 1124 to 4 48 11 25 to 447 26.. .11 3 to 5 8 5 to 5 7 ..11 ,28..

.11 to 5 fi 7 to 5 5 30...11 9 to 5 31. ,.11 10 to The Pennine Way, about which questions were asked in the House of Commons on Thursday, is a continuous pedestrian route that ramblers and similar bodies hope to establish along the greater part of the Pennine Chain. The route begins at the spot marked xne jfeaK on tne maps, wnicn is actually Derbyshire's famous plateau Kinder Scout, and ends at the Northumbrian village of Wooler. north of MR. AMERY Our Resolve Mr.

L. S. Amerv, Secretary for India. addressing the Birmingham Unionist Association last evening, referred to Sir Stafford Cripps's mission. We had no reason to be other than proud of our past achievement in India.

"Yet we have never thought of that achievement," he said, "as an end in itself. We have always regarded it as stage, a stenpine-stone. in India's advance towards self-government. For manv years past she has been advan cing on that road. In these last few weeks Sir Stafford Cripps went out in order to prove, bevohd all doubt, the sincerity of our intentions with regard to India's future independence of all control bv this country, and to invite Indian political leaders, on the strength of the fullness and fairness of our pledges, to lay aside their differences with us and with each other and to co-operate in the Government of India as at present constituted.

you will not expect me to-night to anticipate next week's debate in the House of Commons, in which Sir Stafford will himself set out the reasons which led Indian political leaders to reject our offer. All I will say here is that I know of no other nation or empire that would have made such an offer. Nor has its rejection in any way weakened our resolve that India shall yet find her honoured place as a free MR. CYRIL MAUDE Farewell at the Haymarket Hale, delightful, and hearty as ever, Mr. Cyril Maude celebrated his eightieth birthday yesterday by once again acting in Pinero and Sheridan at the Haymarket Theatre.

The Pinero piece, A Seat in the Park," was first done exactly twenty years ago, and since it is about nothing more momentous than an old gentleman's harm less flirtation with a young woman who is about to be his own wife's parlourmaid, it was easily brought up to date by Dame Irene Vanbrugh's observing incidentally that this park no longer had any railings. The Sheridan consisted of two of the quarrels between old Sir Peter and young Lady Teazle. Here was Miss Vivien Leigh, being as fresh as a rosebud, and Mr. Maude as mellow as an old pear tree in the sun. Many good artists did homage to the Haymarket's white-headed old boy (the phrase is Mr.

Eden Phillpotts's in a special epilogue). Mr. Robert Morley played in a neat and witty sketch of his own. Count McCormack sang. And Miss Fay Compton once again revisited the glimpses of the Hebridean moon as the ghost of Mary Rose.

More ghosts were conjured by Mr. Maude in his speech of thanks. He mentioned many actors dead and gone in whose company he had been seen here. The audience uttered little cries of assent and agreement Yet Mr. Maude let his humour keep him always on the sensible side of sentimentality.

He read his words, as he has spoken all the words in his long career, with singular charm. A. D. CHARGE OF RECEIVING Charged at Manchester City Police Court yesterday with being an Army absentee and with having broken into a shop in Stockport Road, Longsight, Manchester, and stolen goods valued at 60, Norman Murphy (23), no settled address, was sent to gaol for three months and ordered to be handed over to tne military authorities afterwards. Mary Lee (48).

a wardrobe dealer. Ackers Street, Chorlton-on-Medlock. was charged with receiving these goods knowing them to have been stolen. Mr. R.

Farrington. who defended, said the goods' were broueht to Mrs. Lee wet and all jumbled up. She oougnt tnem Deuevmg that Mujrphy was a small, dealer wanting to sell because he was going into the Army. There was not an iota of evidence that she knew them to be stolen.

Tne magistrates sentenced Mrs. Lee to three months imprisonment. Mr. Farrington asked that she might be released on bail pending an appeal, of which he would give notice at once. Bail was allowed.

MIDDAY LECTURES The series of midday lectures given fortnightly on Fridays b'y" representatives of Allied nations, which was organised by the Lancashire. Cheshire, and North-western Liberal Federation, proved so successful that it is to be extended. During May and June Dr. Ilija Juditch is to speak on Yugo-Slavia to-day." Pastor Alf van der Hagen on "The spiritual position in Norway." Mme. Leonora Heap on "Poland yesterday and' to-day," and Mr.

Gregory Sarris on The Greek spirit in Western civilisation The meetints will be held in the -Accountants HalL Manchester, beginning an May 1. Vernon is to speak at a lunch-hour meeting at the Manchester Reform Club on May 8. The conversion of one of Cheshire's historic residences into a hospital for the wives of officers and men in H.M. forces who have special needs is recorded with pride in the annual report of St. Mary's Hospitals issued yesterday in Manchester.

The most modern equipment has been provided, and while individual rooms in the hall have been converted into wards which will accommodate from one to twenty patients other rooms become a nursery, and the great hall is a lounge for patients and visitors. The maternity hospital, which St. Mary's moved from the city to another Cheshire house, has been used during the year by 1,000 in-patients, and the neighbouring village 'branch has twenty-five beds nominated by local authorities. Meantime the buildings which served St. Mary's in the city before the war continue to give useful service.

That at Whitworth Park. BROADCASTING REVIEW By our Radio Critic "The Ballad of the White Horse," by G. K. Chesterton, which was produced in an hour's broadcast on the evening of St. George's Day, was finely done.

This and the recent production of "The Cornerstones" have been two landmarks in broadcasting, for both have been adventurous in the sense that the B.B.C. has had the courage to undertake a long performance of work that could hardly be called popular and that needs sustained and receptive listening. The White Horse" was adapted for radio by Malcolm Baker-Smith, and produced by him together with Val Gielgud. The adaptation consisted of the minimum, and in no way spoilt the fine surge and flow of the ballad. Mr.

Henry Ainley spoke the part of Alfred finely, and all the other readers spoke the verse with unashamed vigour and rhythm. The music (Elgar's) was skilfully woven in as background, and played a necessary and valuable part in the broadcast. The story of the Christian King Alfred's victory at Ethandune over the barbarian invaders was about as good a choici as possible at present, when a resurgence of the hopeful spirit seems to be taking place, for Alfred had come to victory after many defeats. A point about the broadcast was its success simply as poetry because of the ballad metre. One has often felt that radio, which is essentially the spoken word, and-has taught millions of people how to listen again to the spoken word, was capable of bringing back the English language as a living tongue to the people.

The old ballads were sung or recited, and they were the poetry of the people. No wonder, then, that Chesterton's great ballad with its swinging rhythm and vivid imagery should make such a powerful impression. NAVAL SCHOOL APPEAL An appeal on behalf of the Royal School for Naval and Marine Officers' Daughters is made by Admiral Sir William Goodenough. He says: The Royal School for Naval and Marine Officers' Daughters is a public school which admits the daughters of naval and marine officers at reasonable fees, and also, thanks to the generosity of King George's Fund for Sailors and other Service bodies, is able to admit a number of war orphans of similar parentage at reduced lees. The destruction of the main building, at Twickenham made it necessary for a temporary move to be made until a new home could be found.

The school is now moving permanently to Stoatley Hall, Haslemere, and there is a pressing need for funds to pay for essential furniture and for the removal expenses. More pupils will now be admitted from the waiting-list and this will involve immediate expenditure on furniture. Cheques should be sent to the school at Martins Bank, 16. Whitehall, London, S.W. 1.

He Bad ErcrytoiDg. Ding though a link in the emergency medical service and a gas decontamination post, had 3,462 in-patients and 26,680 outpatients, and that in Whitworth Street as the headquarters of the district mid wifery service sent out on 7,200 home visits and also served among the emer gency units. The accounts in general show a deficit of 3,961. mainly due to extraordinary expenditure." The board hopes for an increase in voluntary contributions and expresses gratitude to the Hospital Saturday Fund. It is noted with satis faction that the Ministry of Health reports the lowest maternal mortality rates ever recorded.

The report is signed by Mr. Francis Grundy, the chairman, who concludes St. Mary's Hospitals serve the nation in war and yet serve the cause for which they were founded 150 years ago that of the mother and that of the child who represents the future of our land." POWER FOR OFFENCE Field for New Energies Mr. Geoffrey Lloyd. Secretary for Petroleum, addressing the Birmingham Unionist Association last night, said "We are now in a mixed period when the vast power necessary for the offence is being accumulated and at the same time we have been forced back on to the defensive in wide areas of the East Such a time, largely of waiting and defence, calls for leadership and national discipline.

Now is the time to show our great quality of loyalty to national leaders and sustain it staunchly over the months as the nation presses on thrmiph thp ctnrm ThpTP-wa3 a uririp ftplri in urVtirtl, thn nrnffrPRGIVP nnrl pynanrtino onaptfio, men in their first prime should be given full scope. Mr. Churchill had given the lead in appointing Lord Louis Mount-batten Chief of Combined Operations. That spirit ought to be followed in the case of others who had authority in lesser fields. In the factories and the forces there were men and women who longed to prove that Britain was just about as "decadent and old-fashioned" as a cannon Spitfire.

More and more they should be given their chance. They would contribute lustily when the moment came for the Prime Minister to lead the country, in company with our Allies, to great attacks The Week-Night Concerts The Halle Concerts Society and the B.B.C. issued yesterday the programme of popular concerts in which they are to collaborate and which the Halle Orchestra will give at the Opera House, Manchester, on the week-nights from May 11 to May 23. Dr. Malcolm Sargent will conduct eight and Sir Adrian Boult four of the concerts, for which the programmes are uniformly of high musical standard while not generally high-brow.

There is, in fact, in every programme something for all musical tastes. Isobel Baillie is the one vocalist, while the violinists are Arthur CatteralL Ida Haendel. Henry Hoist, and Laurance Turner, and the pianists John Brennan. Clifford Curzon, Myra Hess, Moura Lympany, Lucy Pierce. Cyril Smith, and Solomon.

Arthur Catterall and Laurance Turner play together in the Bach Concerto in minor for two violins and strings and Lucy Pierce and John Brennan will play on two pianos in Saint-Saens The Carnival of Animals." Italian bicycle manufacturers have been ordered to make only a standard type of machine, says Rome radio. in the "Portland Press Herald." THE WAR COUES TO AMERICA tte Mm tJTso.