NATIONAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2669, 15 January 1916, Page 14

NATIONAL RESERVE

IMPORTANT MATTERS DISCUSSED. A number of important matters affecting tho welfare of the units comprising Group 0 of tho National Reserve, \V ellington, were brought before officers by Major H. F. Davis, V.D., Officer Commanding the Group, last evening, at a meeting hold- at the headquarters of the Reserve. It was announced that it was intended to hold a church parado on Sunday, January 30, the parade assembling at Whitmore Street. A platoon competition and display was to be held in about three months' time, and a small committee appointed to carry out arrangements. The. measures for the developing of ail instructional staff were outlined. Officers, commanding 'units were to selcct suitable men from their commands for membership. It was indicated that the course would occupy two nights a week and alternate Saturdays for a period of three months. A strictly disciplinary camp would be held at Easter for officers, N.C.O.'s, and men of the Reserve. AVith reference to the recruiting for the Reinforcements, the Officer Commanding desired that special efforts be made, and with this object in view a parade will bo held on Saturday evening, February 5, when it is proposed to -march from Government Buildings, via Upper Willis Street, Cuba Street, to the Rotunda in the vicinity of the Town Hall. Speeches will be arranged for, and proceedings will ho enlivened by the presoiice of several bands. A rota of inspections of platoons, companies, and regiments was proposed, platoons to be inspected one night a mouth b,v'the Officer Commanding, who would advise the area adjutant of. the night upon which such were to be held. O.C. regiments once in three months are to inspect their regiments, and advise headquarters of tho dato of inspection. The Officer Commanding tho District will inspect the brigade each quarter. . It was impressed upon the officers present that they were responsible for the efficiency of the units under their commands, and that the chain of responsibility continued through all ranks to the corporals. j . Consideration was given to measures affecting men returned from tho front and men about to go. The regulations, _ which govern the whole of. the National Reserve, were expected to appear very shortly. An officers' club, meetings of which would be held monthly, was outlined, the first meeting to take place in a fortnight's time. Considerable benefit to tho Reserve; in Group 5 was expected to accrue from the gathering together of officers, whose exchange of views would undoubtedly result in increased efficiency of their commands.

PETONE TJNIT. Platoon-Sergt. Reeve acted as O.C. in the absence of Lieut. Anderson, at last evening's parade of the Petone Unit (National Reserve). Sergt.-Major Stewart instructed the platoon in rifle drill. Major Wilford attended, and expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the men., Subsequently, a meeting of the committee and noncoms. was held, at which a suggestion to hold a massed parade of National Reservists was outlined by Major "Wilford. The proposal was eagerly accepted, and it was decided to ask the Lower ilutt, Taita, and Upper Hutt Units, as \ell the Hutfc and. l J ctoiio section of the Reserve, to co-operate. Tho Mayors of Hutt and Petone\(Messrs. Jl. Baldwin and J. AY. M'Ewan respectively) are to be invited to' address tho gathering, and the Petone Municipal and the Upper Hutt Brass Bands are to .be approached with a view to obtaining their services. As this is the first massed_ parade of the kind held in the Hutt \ alley, it is considered that it should prove a huge success. It was decided that the men should assemble at the Petone Railway Station on Friday, January 28, and march to the recreation grounds, where addresses will be delivered and manoeuvres carried out. Sergt.-Major Stewart consented to be present at the function. HUTT SECTION. The Hutt and Petono Section of the National Reserve held its first parade for the New Year last evening. The principal work of the evening consisted of knotting and splicing, with the usual miniature rifle practico. Next drill night some special announcements are to be made.