Major Ayris Goes To Sea

MAJOR E. B. AYRIS, soldier, merchant and theatrical producer, for some years one of the most active and popular citizens of Wau, New Guinea, was in Sydney recently, brisk and smil ing, after an encounter with a Japanese cruiser.

The Major tried originally to enlist in the AIF, or anywhere where he might be useful. Brasshats frowned upon his grey hairs —he is a sprightly veteran of 1914- 18 —and so he turned to the merchant navy. Unlike the Brasshats, merchant captains with a real job of work to do were glad to have the services of the energetic and experienced Ayris, and he quickly found, on the sea, a way of usefully serving the flag he loves. Then his ship met a Jap warship, and it was “curtains” for the merchantman —two men killed, two wounded.

“I’ve got another ship and I’ll be afloat again in a week,” said the Major. “And I have got an idea that, when the real fighting starts, and we begin to show the Sons of Heaven where their home really is—well, I may be able to take a look at the show from the wings, even if I can’t get on the stage.”

Dr. Brennan, formerly of Rabaul, has been ill, but is now in Sydney, making a

good recovery.