HOME GUARD BAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 22, 6 November 1940, Page 6

HOME GUARD BAND.

FIRST MAY BE AT METHVEN.

ENTHUSIASM IN DISTRICT. If the plans of the Methven Home Guard Committee are successful Methven will have what is .believed to be the first Home Guard Band in New Zealand, and the enthusiasm with which the Guard scheme is being taken up in. the district is an excellent example to the rest of the County. Advice received by the Ashburton County Council shows that an extensive recruiting campaign has been organised and already over 100 enrolments have been made. The committee has applied for the use of the' Methven -showgrounds and buildings for training purposes and the fMethven Pipe Band is being asked to join the movement en bloc as a Home Guard Band. The committee hopes soon to have a full quota of men in the Guard with platoons throughout the district. Mr A. S. Kennedy has been appointed chairman.

COMMITTEE at hinds.

VALUE OF SCHEME RECOGNISED

Recognising the value of the formation. of Home Guard units throughout the country, a public meeting at Hinds last evening unanimously decided to set up a committee and to campaign for members. \

The meeting, which w r as largely attended, was presided over by the County Chairman (Mr S. P. Taylor), who had with him Messrs W. G. Gallagher and H. C. B. Withell (Riding members of the Council) and Captain E. A. Cockroft) ,Area Commander for the Home Guard). The chairman, Captain Cockroft and Mr Kelly explained the regulations on the lines taken at previous meetings and answered a number of questions.

The following committee was set up:—Messrs C. W. Keeley (convener), W. G. Gallagher, H. C. B. Withell, L. A. Noble (Lynnford Rifle Club), K. ,T. McKenzie (R.S.A.), D. J. McDonald, D. M. Bruce, J. McQuilkin, E. Rhodes (Young Farmers’ Club), with representatives from the Ealing and Hinds Rifle Clubs, yet to be appointed by the clubs. * A number of enrolments were made after the meeting. Further meetings to set up committees will, ho held at early dates at Rakaia, Mount Somers, Winchmore and Lagmhor.