GREAT INTEREST

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 42, 29 November 1940, Page 6

GREAT INTEREST

ASHBURTON HOME GUARD.

GOOD FIRST TURNOUT.

ENROLMENTS INCREASED TO 196

The first parade of the Ashburton unit of the Home Guard, held in the Drill Hall last, evening, was attended by nearly 200' men, and the enthusiasm shown augurs well for the future of the organisation in the Borough. New enrolments received during the evening, numbering 49 made the total to date 196. The majority of the Guardsmen were middle-aged, fully representative of the business community of the town. Of youth? there was only a mete handful. Shortly after 7.30 the men were drawn up in ranks, and were addressed by the Mayor and chairman of the Ashburton Home Guard Committee (Dr. J. Connor). Dr. Connor congratulated the men on the smart, business-like way they had turned out. He stated that it was aimed to obtain a unit of 500 men ,in Ashburton. The Area Commander (Captain E. A. Cockroft) expressed pleasure at the big parade. Things did not look too good at the start, he said, when enrolments were coming in slowly, but conditions were improving. Methven had 150 members, and Staveley, at its first parade the previous evening, had a turn-out of 40 men, with 30 more to come. The training would not be hard. There would be a certain amount of drill and a few trips down to the coast, for one of the Guard’s main purposes was coastal defence. The Guard would not be equipped with rifles for tjhe present, but arrangements were being made so that some musketry training could be done. Captain Cockroft wished the men good luck and stressed that only by co-oper-ation could the organisation be made a success.

Major E. H. Orr, who has been recommended for theposition of local commander, said he had only learnt of his recommendation the previous morning and had not had much time to think about the Guard. There were, however, one or two points he had in mind. It would be endeavoured to place men in positions for which they were best fitted. As military discipline in a strict sense could not be applied, it would be largely be left to the men’s own free-will and honour to do that which was required of them. “I do not want anybody to think they will be under military discipline,’ 5 said Major Orr. Squad drill would be cut out as soon as possible. Drill was, however, necessary for ensuring that bodies of men can be moved most expeditiously. Lieut. J. P. Gresson had offered, with the Territorial n.c.o.’s, to assist with the training. An endeavour would be made to pick as many of the instructors as possible from the ranks of the Guard. At an early opportunity a social committee would be set up to attend to the recreation of the Guard. Many of the Guardsmen were then sworn-in by Dr. Connor, Major Orr ,anji Captain' Cockroft. Enrolments were made and arm-bands were distributed.

Before the company was dismissed Major Orr announced that it was expected to hold the next parade at 7.30 p.m. next Thursday. He asked anyone who had suggestions to make not to hesitate in coming forward. In answer to a question he said the armbands should be worn on the left arm and for the present only on parades.

SUPPORT AT MAYFIELD. There was an excellent attendance at a public meeting held in connection with the Home Guard at Mayfield last evening. Mr J. Moore presided. The chairman of the County Council (Mr S. P. Taylor), the riding member on the Council (Mr W. G. Gallagher) and the County Clerk (Mr G. Kelly) spoke explaining, the objects and regulations of the Guard. The meeting was unanimous in its support of the organisation, and the following were appointed to the committee :

Messrs E. C. Smith, W. Bignell, R. C. Bean, J. Mooi-e, O. IV. Magnus, A. H. Guiney, R. A. Oakley, J. Murdoch, James Blair, J. J.. Mulligan, T. Taipama, S. Shimmin and B, McKay. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr Blair was appointed chairman, and Mr Guiney secretary.

Over 50 enrolments were taken after the meeting. It is anticipated that there will be no difficulty in raising at least two platoons at Mayfield, with others at the Public Works camps and in the .Ruapuna district.

THE WAKANUI COMMITTEE. The recently-elected committee of the Wakanui Home Guard at its first meeting elected Mr F. Frampton as chairman and Mr T. A. 3>. Wilson as secretary.

It was decided to hold a. meeting in the hall on Saturday, December 7, for enrolling recruits, and to invite an official to speak. Prospects o*f local, support of the movement ivere stated to* be excellent and all present decided to enrol themselves then and there.