PRECAUTIONS SCHEME

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 296, 21 April 1941, Page 5

PRECAUTIONS SCHEME

PREPARATIONS IN THE COUNTY

ORGANISATION DISCUSSED

Rc\ ealing that organisation of the Whakatane county in accordance Avith the Emergency Precautions regulations is receiving earnest attention, a meeting of Avardens Avas held in the County Council Chambers recently, when Mr J. L. Burnett, chairman of the County Council, Avho is chief controller, pre-' sided. Also present at the meeting Avcre Messrs F. J. Burt (Malata), A. 0 1 . Meredith (ManaAvalie), K. L. Caverhill (AAvakaponga), A. F. McGougan (Taneatua), Dr. Maaka (Taneatua), R. F. Wardlaw (Waimana), H.. Bell (Waimana), F. J, Savage (Waimana), E. A. Haul tain (Eklgccumbe and AAvakeri), W. A. McGracken (Edgecumbe), S. Spence (Thornton), L. G. Wood (Whakatane), J. Moody (Taneatua), W. Addison (Waimana), Rev. .L SteAvart (Taneatua), C, W. Moore (Matata), W. Hunter (Edgecumbe), T. G. H. (Galatea), A. Ruff (Nukuhou North), A. Carling (Asst. Deputy Chief Controller), C. G- Lucas (Deputy Chief Controller and Secretary) . Apologies for absence Avere received from Dr. Appleby and Grs. C. T. Smith and D. W. Spence.

Proposals Satisfactory,

A letter from the National Service Department stated that the proposals adopted for the County districts were entirely satisfactory. The difficulty arising from wholesale enrolments with the Home Guard was fully appreciated and it was suggested that by co-ordina-tion between the executive of both organisations an endeavour be made to adjust the position as far as possible. The letter continued that an appeal could be made to any Home Guardsmen whose services were required for the E.P.S. and if lie was willing to transfer, a discharge from the Home Guard would be granted. The Unit and Area Commanders were expected to assist in this direction. It should be noted that where such is desired arrangements could be made for a unit of I'he E.P.S. to train Avith the Home Guard and where such paraU'es were properly recorded the men would be regarded, for the purposes of accident insurance, to be training as members of the E.P.S.

Proposals

The chairman made a report on his proposals, pointing out that these Avere in no way binding, but could be altered to suit local convenience. He envisaged a District Warden with his deputy of deputies, who would be assisted by a warden with a deputy in charge ol each committee. Four committees or departments in each district were suggested.

Appointment of Wardens,

The appointment of wardens and deputy district wardens would be approved by him and the and deputy wardens would be appointed by the district wardens.; The necessary personnel would be recruited by the wardens in charge of each department and so a scheme on the basis of the delegation of authority would be brought into operation. This was thought to be the most feasible method of satisfactorily coping with the problems which would face such a large county as Whakatane. Blackout Measures. The chairman continued to report that the blackout was already receiving attention. The blackout at Matata under the control of the District Warden, Mr F. J. Burt, was quite effective, and the blackout at Ohope beach under (Warden R. J- Webb was also effective. The matter of blacking out the Paper Mills was involving the company in considerable expense, but attention was being given to this work. Committees to be Appointed. Following a general discussion on the scheme it was decided that District Wardens appoint committee wardens forthwith and that organisation be set up immediately. It was further decided that district wardens and their deputies attend a meeting to be held at the County Chambers at 11 a.m. on Friday,, May 2.