NATIONAL RESERVE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 55, 6 March 1915, Page 8

NATIONAL RESERVE

RAILWAY BRANCH FORMED. Over one hundred men attended a meeting last night to form a railway* men's branch of the National Reserve. Mr. E. A. Dawson presided. Colonel ttiley, commanding the N.Z. Railway Engineers, commended the objects of the National Reserve to those able-bodied men unable to go to the front. "He hoped the railwaymen would go into the work whole-heartedly. The ultimate object of the National Reserve should be rifle-shooting ; and the railwaymen's section should train specially to defend the lines of communication. In their work they would receive assistance and instruction from the railway battalions of the Territorial force. The chairman announced the enrol' ment of 6Ver 100 members, and said he hoped that there would be over 300 in the Wellington district. The branch might be divided best into three sections, Lambton, Thorndon, and head office. The following officers of the branch were elected : — 'President, Mr. F. C. Widdop ; vice-presidents, Messrs. W. P. Williams, — Meek, J. Bevin, J. Gordon, M. Guthrie, H. J. Wynne, and G. E. Richardson ; chairman of committee, Mr. E. A. Dawson s secretary, Mr. A. W. Hutchings ; Provisional Committee, Messrs. — Meek, A. H. Hart, J. Barr, P. J. M'Govern, A. Mackie, L. Barclay, J. F. Mackley, J. Ash, R. S. Kent, and T. A. Walsh. There was some discussion with regard to the election of officers of the Reserve, and it was agreed that officers should bo elected on merit alone, without regard to what division or' grade of the service they may be in. The first parade will take place on Thursday, in the Railway > Social Hall, when instruction will be given 'by Set-geant-Major Gow, of the Railway Trans* port Corps. WELLINGTON EAST. The Wellington East subdivision of the National Reserve held a very successful meeting last evening, when ninety-four assembled for parade under Lieutenants Ranldn, Bryan, and Lewis, of the Senior Cadets. Names were taken of those willing to qualify as section leaders, twelve responding, and a class for instruction or non-coms, was formed.