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Evening Star, Issue 24007, 4 October 1941, Page 6

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Vice-Regal Greetings. His Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Sir Cyril Newall) has forwarded the following message to the Director-General of the Home Guard: —“Now that the Home Guard has entered upon its second year, I desire to express to all officers and men my keen appreciation of the loyal services which they have so freely given, and also my best wishes for the year to come.” No, 3 (Flagstaff) Battalion. No. 3 (Flagstaff) Battalion will hold a full-day parade of tactical exercises to-morrow. Parade times arc; A Company (Captain Begg), Mornington School, 9 a.m. ; B Company (Lieutenant Scrivener), Garrison Hall, 9.5 a.m. ; C Company (Air Hampton). S.AI. Traill's workshop, 9.15 a.m.; Reserve Company (Air Al'Alillan), Arthur Street School, 9.30 a.m. All ranks will carry their own rations for lunch. Should the exorcises be cancelled because of weather conditions, an announcement will be made over 4ZB at 7.30, 8, and 5.30 a.m. to-morrow.. Demolition Work. About 44 members of Eastern District Home Guard units visited Invercargill last week-end for a course of instruction in demolition work. The instruction was carried, out on the usual demolition grounds by Air D, L Grant and his assistants, who have already given instruction to guardsmen from Oamaru, Dunedin, and Central Otago. Those present included men from Aiossburn, Te Anau, Lumsdcn, Waikaia, Gore, Edendale, and Mutaura. Dog Bites Guardsman. Two North Auckland Home Guardsmen injured while training have received compensation. One who frractured a rib made a modest claim to cover his medical expenses. When the case had been investigated and the claim proved ho was granted compensation of £2 a week from March 15 to April 4. At Pawareuga, where great interest is taken in the movement, a Maori section leader was issuing commands when he stopped back on a dog, which immediately sank its teeth in the Maori’s legs. The Maori’s claim is under consideration. Mr Semple is Pleased. The following letter sent by the Hon. R. Semple to the Director-General of the Home Guard is to be read to all ranks at suitable parades;— “ On the occasion of the transfer of the control of the Homo Gllard to the Minister of Defence, 1 desire, to convey to you and your district and area commanders my grateful thanks for the enthusiastic ami whole-hearted manner in which you responded to the call for the organisation of a Home Guard in New Zealand. “ When, in company with yourself, I began my campaign, the objective of 100,000 men seemed to be an ambitious one, but owing to the tremendous efforts made by those who believed in the necessity for a citizens’ army to reinforce the Territorial Force, in less than four months the full number of men had been secured. • “ To you, and to those, who played such an important part in this campaign, I am deeply grateful, and I can assure you this gratitude is shared by all members of tho Government. “To those many thousands of men who have joined the Home Guard so readily and with such a fine appreciation of their duty and obligation to their country, I would say that their keenness does them the utmost credit. Should the day come when their services will be called upon, I feel certain that they will prove worthy of the confidence reposed in.them by their fellow citizens. “ In tins new phase in the development of the Home Guard, I wish you all well, and trust that tho guard’s progress will rapidly transfer it into a most effective fighting force, which will worthily support the armed forces in the Dominion should the need ever arise. “ I say good-bye to you with extreme regret, but I promise you that 1 will follow your fortunes in the future with the greatest interest.” . A Company, No. 3 Battalion. Attendances at parades have been very good of late, and members have shown keenness in their work. Tho majority take part in the 15min physical training at the beginning of each parade under the skilful tuition of one of tho physical instructors appointed to No. 3 Battalion. The difference in carriage and bearing of the Old Brigade is very noticeable through the systematic exercises, and it is even whispered that some are so keen that they are getting up a quarter of an hour earlier in tlfe morning so that they can get that extra pep after their cold shower. Rocenly Colonel Bruce-Smith inspected the parade, and later addressed the men on the reorganisation of the battalion in area No. 11, saying that the company would form a reserve to the new third battalion under Major Earnshaw. He urged them to continue interest in the company, and to induce others, not already in some company of the Home Guard, to join up, as there was a job of work for them all to do. The men are pleased that, after the nine months of good solid training the company is not to bo disbanded. At the same parade a lecture was delivered by the commander of No. 1 Platoon on the conventional signs and symbols which are the basis of all military signs to-day. The subject is to be further pursued at a future parade. Last Monday night Major Earnshaw addressed tho company on what would bo expected of them in the field exercises of the battalion next weekend. A lecture was given by an officer of the National Reserve on tho duties of platoon commanders and section leaders. Recently the O.C. and adjutant of the old No. 3 Battalion addressed a farewell message to the company, and general regret was expressed at the transfer of these popular officers. Physical Instructors’ Class. Instructors are notified that the usual parade on Wednesday, October 8, is cancelled and that a full meeting is called for Wednesday, October 15, to discuss important new developments. B Company, No. 3 Battalion. Alembers of the company aro reminded that the time for parade tomorrow is 9.5 a.m. The day will be spent at Flagstaff, where a mock battle will take place. On Tuesday next the usual parade will bo replaced by a smoke concert, which is timed to start at 7.15. An excellent programme has been arranged for this function, and all members of the company are urged to attend An issue of boots will bp made at the Sunday uarailo on October 12 at the Garrison Hall.