DEFENCE OF DOMINION

Evening Star, Issue 23729, 9 November 1940, Page 15

DEFENCE OF DOMINION

NINE MOUNTED RIFLE SQUADRONS SPECIAL LOCAL KNOWLEDGE QUALIFICATIONS “ Although there still remain some details to ho completed before the training of the independent squadrons of the Mounted Rifles can be commenced, very good progress lias been made in the organisation of these squadrons,'" said the Minister ot Defence (Mr Jones) in a statement this evening. “ Colonel J. H. Whyte D.S O , D.CM. (retired) has offered his services free to the Government to organise and form the squadrons. Jn company with Captain G. F. Yores, N.Z.S.C., Colonel Whyte has visited all the squadron areas, and the satisfactory position of the squadrons to-day is very largely duo to the efforts of these two officers, Doth Colonel 'Whyte and Captain Yerex served with the New Zealand Mounted Rifles in the last war and they were thus well acquainted with the requirements. By renewing personal contact they were able to secure the services of a largo number of former officers of the New Zealand Mounted Hides.

“ Each squadron, which consists of headquarters and four troops,” Mr Jones said, 11 has been allotted a definite area from which recruits are to be drawn and m which they will operate. It is expected that the local knowledge of the men recruited and trained in a troop aiea will be of great assistance in the event of their being called on for the defence of New Zealand, The troops are expected to acquire a thorough knowledge of all roads, tracks, telephones, isolated homesteads, possible landing places, ambush and demolition points, and of the country and resources generally in their sectors. LOCALE OF SQUADRONS. “ As a result of many interviews most of the squadron officers required have been selected,” Mr Jones added. “In making these appointments potential military ability and leadership have boon the necessary qualification, in addition to residence within or near the squadron and troop area.” Details of the organisation ot the squadrons, together with officers oppoihted, are:— No. 1 (NORTHLAND) SQUADRON. Area, Ahipara to Bream Head; headquarters, Waimate North; officer commanding, Lieutenant-colonel W. R Lang, M. 0.; second in command, Major E. E. Kennedy; No. 1 troop headquarters, Kaitaia, Second-lieutenant A. Stanton; No. 2 troop headquarters, Kaoo, Second-lieutenant W Barclay, M.M.; No 3 troop headquarters, Whakapara Second-lieutenant L. R. Nelson; No. 4 troop headquarters, Kamo. Second-lieutenant C. H. Finlayson. No. 2 (KAIPARA), SQUADRON. Area, Ruakaka to Silverdale; headquarters, Wellsford; officer commanding, Lieutenant-colonel W. C. H. Stevens ; second in command, Lieutenantcolonel J C. E. Wyatt; quartermaster, Lieutenant T W. Shanks; No. 1 troop headquarters, Waipu, Second-lieutenant W. D. S. Collins; No. 2 troop headquarters, Tomarata, Second-lieutenant R. S. Dunning; No 3 troop headquarters, Matakana, Second-lieutenant A. O. Storey; No. 4 troop headquarters, Waiwera, Lieutenant D. S- M 1 Cathie, M.C. No. 3 (HAURAKI) SQUADRON Area, Mataitai (south ot Pouui island) to bowentowu (north end of Tauranga Harbour) ; headquarters, I'aeroa; officer commanding, Major T. M.‘Carroll; quartermaster, Captain H. T. Penrhys-Evaus; No. 1 troop headquarters, Orero, Second-lieutenant E. C. Adams; No. 2 troop headquarters, Waitakarum, Second-lieutenant P. R. Henry ; No. 3 troop headquarters Coromandel, Secoud-lieutenaut M A. Brook; No. 4 troop headquarters, Waihi, Scooiid-lieutenant W r . D. Capamagiau. NO. 4 (EAST COAST) SQUADRON. Area, East Cape to Waikokopu; headquarters. Gisborne; officer commanding, Captain E. R. Black, M.C.; second in command, Second-lieutenant C. E. H Wen’zies, D.C.M.; No. 1 Troop, headquarters Ruatoria, Secondlieutenant T A M.C.; No. 2 Troop, headquarters To lag a Bay, Second-lieutenant F. *W Shelton; No. 3 Troop, headquarters Gisborne, Second-lieutenant L. G. Woodward; No. 4 Troop, headquarters Muriwai (no appointment yet).

NO. 5 (WAiRARAPA) SQUADRON. Area, Black Head to Cape Turikirae (western extremity of Falliser Bay); headquarters, Mastcrtou; officer commanding, Captain R, F. R. Beetham, At.C.; second in command. Lieutenant D. H. S. Riddiford, M.C.; quartermaster, Second-lieutenant P. G. Ram-

say; No. I Troop, headquarters. bledon, Second-lieutenant J. H. Gibbons; No. 2 Troop, headquarters, Pougaroa. Second-lieutenant 11. S. Pilmer; No. 3 Troop, headquarters, Tutaekura (no appointment yet); No, 4 Troop, headquarters, Pirinoa, Second-lieuten-ant J. Martin. NO. 6 (MARLBOROUGH) SQUADRON. Area, Croiselle’s Harbour to the Conway River; headquarters, Blenheim; officer commanding, Major M. Parsons; second in command, Lieutenant G. R. W'estern; No. 1 Troop, headquarters,Havelock. Second-lieutenant J. W, Bennett; No, 2 Troop, headquarters, Henwicktown. Second-lieutenant F V. H Robinson: No 3_ Troop, headquarters Seddon (no appointment yet); No. 4 Troop, headquarters, Kaikoura, Second-lieutenant R R Laidlaw NO 7 (NELSON) SQUADRON. Area. Collingwood to Nelson; headquarters, Nelson; officer commanding. Major J. M. Lorimer; No. 1 Troop, headquarters Tabaka, Second-lieuten-ant G. E. Roves: No. 2 Troop, headquarters Motuoka, Second-lieutenant W. D. Griffith; No. 3 Troop, headquarters. Brightwater, Second-lieutenant L. S. Max; No. 4 Troop, headquarters fapawera, Second-lieutenant R. BFenonior, M.M NO. 8 (ELLESMERE) SQUADRON. Area, Banks Peninsula; headquarters, Little River; officer commanding. Captain C. H. Sykes; No. 1 Troop, headquarters, Motukarara, Second-lieu-tenant E. J. R. W r . Jekyll; No. 3 Troop. headquarters. Little River, Second-lieutenant J. R. Harrison; No. 3 Troop, headquarters Duvaiichelle, Second-lieutenant B. Waghorn; No 4 Troop, headquarters Akaroa (no appointment yet). No. 9 (TAIERI SQUADRON). Area, Waikouaiti to Taieri Month J headquarters, Dunedin; officer commanding, Colonel G. R. Mitchell, D. 5.0.; second in command, Captain •1 A. Aitcheson; No. 1 Troop, headquarters, Waikouaiti, Second-lien tenant G. C. Sloan ; No. 2 Troop Headquarters, Dunedin, Second-lieutenant G. Sonntag; No. 3 Troop, headquarters Brighton, Lieutenant A W r . Green; No. 4 Troop, headquarters Outram, Lieutenant J. A, Gow FARMERS PROVIDE HORSES. “It has been laid down that eligibility for enrolment is confined to those who reside in the recruiting areas and are able to provide themselves with a suitable horse and saddlery,” Mr Jones said. “In many cases troops, and in some cases whoie squadrons have already sufficient men available. These men are of an excellent type, and it is confidently anticipated that before long all the squadrons will be up to full strength. ‘‘ In a few cases the provision of horses is presenting some difficulty,” Mr Jones added, “ but this is being largely overcome by the public-spirited and patriotic action of farmers, who, though not available or eligible for service themselves, are providing and maintaining horses for the use of the troops. A splendid example is that of one patriotic farmer who is not only providing five horses fully’ maintained; in- » eluding shoeing, but is making them ■vailable at all times to the troop in the area in which he resides. Co-opera-tion of this nature, plus the efforts of the men themselves, will result in all the squadrons being fully horsed in re near future

“ The' squadron sergeant-major of each squadron,” Mr Jones concluded, “ is now at the Central District School a,t Tauherenikau undergoing a month’s training under Lieutenant and Quartermaster A. Holmes New Zealand Permanent Staff, in all subjects in, which they in turn will be responsible for supervising the training of their squadrons. When this -course ends on November 16, the squadron sergeantmajors will return to their areas to assist in the training and administration of their squadrons