C.D. post goes to soldier

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33987, 30 October 1975, Page 18

C.D. post goes to soldier

A career Army officer, Major D. J. Brunton has been selected as the new Christchurch civil defence officer by the Combined Civil Defence Committee.

Aged 47, Major Brunton, Royal New Zealand Armoured Corps, is at present the assistant commander of the Canterbury Army Area.

A regular soldier since 1949, he has seen service in Korea and two years ago was the quartermaster of the New Zealand battalion based in Singapore. He was commissioned in 1966. His appointment was announced yesterday by the committee chairman (Mr H. G. Hay). Major Brunton does not expect to be able to take up the post for three months as it might take that long to obtain his release from the Army. He still has three years to serve.

He said yesterday that he saw the job as a challenge and an opportunity not to be missed. “I have no intention of poking my nose into what has happened (referring to the resignation of his predecessor, Mr R. W. Waters). What’s past is past,” he said. The basic requirements for the job were: proven administrative experience, maturity, instructional experience, and public speaking. During his Army career, Major Brunton has often been involved in search and rescue missions as coordinator for the Southern region, and he has .organised Army support for the nolice ; during emergencies. He is married, with four children. TEMPORARY POST Mr Hay said that Mr • Charlie Malzard, a sporting • goods retailer, has accepted ! temporarily the position of !civil defence chief welfare ! Officer. He has served with : civil defence for more than 12 years, starting as a wel- ’ fare officer at Hillmorton.