ANGRY EXCHANGE

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 89, 11 October 1941, Page 10

ANGRY EXCHANGE

HOME GUARD AND

POLICE

FRONTAL ATTACK IN BUSH

(0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. Resentment by members of the Home Guard at the way in which the police are handling the Koiterangi man-hunt flared up in an open break late yesterday afternoon when a section of guardsmen went off to scour the bush after being ordered back by Inspector D. L. Calwell. Arrangements had been made by Inspector Calwell "to have an Air Force bomber bomb the bush near Graham's house. The arrival of the bomber was first scheduled for 2 o'clock. It was then put back an hour and further delayed till just after 6 o'clock. The inspector told the Home Guard that the machine was not going to bomb -as the, hour was getting late. Therefore, he said, there would be no search of the bush as a sequel to the bombing. "Our mates have been killed. This has gone far enough," came an angry voice from the crowd. "Come on, boys, we're taking charge." A man jumped over the fence and started off in the direction of the bush, trailing his rifle. Two more guardsmen followed him. "Bring those men back and use force if necessary," called Inspector Calwell. There was an angry exchange between the inspector and members of the crowd, but the guard leader, H. Dimmock, called his men to order. The man who had shouted at the inspector apologised and Inspector Calwell left the scene. Other guardsmen now ran across to join their comrades, about fifteen making a frontal attack on the bush, while a dozen more went out cautiously on the right flank. All carried rifles at the trail and observed open order as they approached the bush. The men crouched in tussock and ran from bush to bush. NOT LOCAL MEN. At least fifty men did not take part in this sortie. It was said that those who broke away were not local men. Those from round Koiterangi and Kokatahi claimed that they. had too much respect for Graham's ability as [ a rifle shot and bushman to venture in. The feeling against the police is ' shown by a certain section of guardsmen only. They maintain that the hunt is badly controlled, that action was wanted, and that they were wasting their time, which would be better sjjent in killing Graham or on the farms. Inspector Calwell said he wanted to protect the guardsmen and avoid useless loss of life. I One of those watching the break- ! away group from the road declared he saw Graham, whom he knew, come out of the bush staggering from the effect of a wound received in the clash on Thursday night. This figure was carrying a rifle by his side. The men returned later from the search and reported that they had seen nothing. ! There was a further clash with the I police When Sergeant F. Mcßobin, of Greymouth, addressed them on their return. "Look here, all you Grey-1 mouth men, cut out the rabble. We want discipline here." A guardsman replied: "We don't want discipline. We want organisation." "All who are not prepared to take instructions from the police can make their own arrangements or go home ■ now by bus," declared the sergeant.