ARMY CHIEF IN FAR EAST

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29766, 8 March 1962, Page 14

ARMY CHIEF IN FAR EAST

Gen. Poett At Little Malaya The Little Malaya jungle training area, near Cheford, was described by the Com-mander-in-Chief of the Far East Land Forces (Lieuten-ant-General Sir Nigel Poett) as “splendid territory and a very -valuable training region’’ after a visit yesterday. General Poett visited the 2nd Battalion, New Zealand Regiment, and the Australian infantrymen engaged in an Army exercise in the area. He said he had been very happy to meet old friends of the Commonwealth Brigade from Malaya. He spoke to several officers on the exercise and expressed pleasure at the way the men of both armies were working together. General and Lady Poett arrived at Christchurch airport aboard a Royal Air Force Hastings 30 minutes behind schedule because Wellington airport was closed. They had to drive to Paraparaumu before flying south.

They were met by the commander of the Southern Military District (Brigadier A. H. Andrews), Commander J. C. Elworthy and Mrs Elworthy, and the district officer of the Department of Internal Affairs (Mr C. J. D. Kite) and called on the deputy-Mayor (Mr H. P. Smith) before leaving for Little Malaya. General Poett and his party will leave Christchurch on March 16 on their way to Australia.