TRIAL “INVASION”

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1942, Page 3

TRIAL “INVASION”

ON MARCH 7 Greymouth Plans The trial of the Home Guard, National Reserve and E.P.S. organisation in Greymouth, by means of a mock invasion, will take place next Saturday week, March 7, during the afternoon. The Home Guard, the 17th. Independent Infantry Company and the various sections of the E.P.S. will be mobilised to meet the ‘ emergency.” Plans for the trial were discussed last evening at a meeting of the Central Committee of the E.P.S., at which the Mayor (Mr r. A. Kitchingham) presided over an attendance of about 25. Details of the trial are confidential, as it is considered more valuable if it is in the nature of a surprise, but some of the circumstances of the invasion will be very realistic. In discussing the trial, at the meeting, Captain J. McKnight,. who is in charge of home defence at Greymouth, made an appeal to the populace, especially women and children, to use the shelter trenches. Efforts would be made to give as realistic a touch as possible to the scene in order to accustom people to the accompaniments of an invasion, so that they would not be so frightened if it did occur. One platoon of the 17th. Independent Infantry Company will be used to act as the enemy, Captain McKnight said. Members of the various committees will deal with medical assistance, the custody of prisoners, and refugees, “fifth columnists”, the maintenance of order, fires, bombarded roads, broken power wires, etc. Stickers for cars and passes for E.P.S. workers will be provided. ASSISTANCE FOR HOME GUARD. An appeal was made by Major J. H. Williamson, of the Home Guard, for assistance from E.P.S. members in various defence works being carried out by the Home Guard. He said that the Home Guard could do with about 100 men in this work. Work could be done in the weekends, but he would like to see it done during the week also. He asi<eu that volunteers be called for.

A letter was received from the Director of National Service dealing with a request for information as to whether the E.P.S. would have to supply the Home Guard with motor vehicles and carriers for supplies, stretcher bearers and meals. The letter stated that the military would normally supply their own needs in these respects. There would, however, be co-operation between the military and E.P.S., and it was proposed to appoint regional officers who would act as a liaison between the two. Major Williamson said that the question raised had now been cleared.

1200 NEW E.P.S. ENROLMENTS. It was stated by ttie Mayor that since the introduction of compulsory enrolment in the E.P.S., there had been 1200 enrolments Later in the meetinthe Mayor referred to the loss of personnel in the wardens’ section. The wardens would have to be brought un to their full number. Wardens would require to do some first aid and firefighting training, and generally act as friends and advisers of people in their blocks. , _ , The chairman of the Law and Order Committee, Inspector D. L. Calwell said that recently-enrolled members of his section seemed t° de under a misapprehension as to- compulsion, and had not attended the recent meetings. It would be a good idea to call a "“neral meeting of wardens, so that they could be told the necessity of attending for instruction. The need for attendance did not seem to be generally realised. The Mayor said that new members would be circularised as soon as they were posted to their various units. They could not be posted till the fire-watching requirements of firms were ascertained Businessmen would want their own emplo”ees on the premises if ““ c sibie. Mr A. E. Davenport reported tbj.t the proposed black-out to have been held recently, was not held because

the new wardens had not been appointed. It was reported + ’'~‘ sm’" arrangements were being made for the use of halls in localities for women and children HOKITIKA E.P.S. COMMITTEE. OOC HOKITIKA, February 24. ’The Mayor, Mr G. A. Perry presided at the meeting of the Hokitika E P.S. Committee on Monday evening the following members being present: Messrs S. Havill, B. Cooper, P. Whitford, Sgt. Brown, W. Fraser, Miller, H. Seebeck, T. W. Duff, C. Calarai, L. S. Ross, H. C Rowe, A. R. Elcock, H. Chapman, G. Heinz, E. W. Heenan, R. F. Perham, W. H. Stopforth and H. G. F. Coles. < Mr Miller (P.W.D.), was appointed Controller of Works and Mr H. J. Seebeck Deputy-Controller. Mr R. F Fredric was confirmed as Deputy to Mr G. H. Chapman for transport, accommodation and evacuation. Mr Cooper was appointed to control finance, vice Mr Buckland, who had resigned. Mr Duff was appointed Deputy-Medical Controller, and Mr Whitford Deputy to Dr. R. F. Aitken. The clergy were empowered to organise their own committee and to be attached to the Medical Branch Mr Heenan intimated that most of the clergy had already signified their willingness to lend all assistance. The resignations of Messrs T. Brown, Buckland and B. L. King were accepted. The chairman was empowered to make an appointment as Deputy-Controller of Supplies. Mr Fraser-(Chief Lighting Warden) reported that as many as sixteen warnings had been given to some persons in regard to reduced lighting. Some business people were defying the Wardens. He desired some authority to deal with offenders. It was decided to advertise, and to prosecute offenders following one warning, and where warnings had already been given no further warnings be given. _ . After a discussion on air raid shelters, it was agreed that it was not necessary for the committee to provide public shelters. Most househoulders would be left to provide their own shelters at their homes, some having already built shelters. Mr Heenan reported: First aid posts would be provided in Hokitika for attention to injured in areas already defined. After tre-xtment at the posts, the injured would, where possible, be taken to them homes and otherwise would be transported to Westland Hospital. It was proposed to evacuate as many patimts as possit.e from Uu. hosp.taL only allowing those to remain .that were unable to care for themselves. The hospital would accommodate 110 patients. If it was impossible to cope with all cases, an emergency hospital would be set up in the new" nurses’ home at the Mental Hospital, for which supplies had'-been packed already. Emergency hospitals should be as close to the main hospital as possible. Six emergency ambulances were ready, fully equipped, with drivers and relief drivers. Thirty stretchers had been made and would be distributed to the first aid posts. The stretcher bearers would be selected from the register now being compiled.

Mr Cooper reported that, over 400 had registered in the E.P.S. Mr Perham (Battalion Commander) for the Home Guard said it was strange that 400 had registered for E.P.S. while all the Home Guard could muster was 100. Defence was the first consideration. The Home Guard would give a hand to the E.P.S. if thej' were free. It was. agreed that the Controllers should meet the next evening and select members for their various organisations, fit men to be. reserved for the Home Guard. The Mayor said that out of the 400 registered, there would possible be 100 unable to undertake any work on account of physical ' disabilities. Some of those registered were invalids. Fire Superintendent L. Ross said the Fire Brigade understood that upon a general alarm, they would have to go to their posts, but desired to know what was to become of their wives and families. Up to the present no instructions had been given. It was decided that the Controller of Evacuation (Mr Chapman) should bring down a report in the’ information required. The matter of dealing with incendiary bombs was left to the Fire Brigade. Mr Fraser reported in regard to a warning signal that experiments were still being carried out, but the siren had not proved successful, and experiments were now being carried out w’ith steel rails.

Mr Chapman said arrangements had been completed to evacuate 1200 and children would be the first. The method of assembling and collecting of evacuees would be detailed in his report. It was notified that Mr G. H. Chapman would be appointed De-puty-Controller of Vehicles for the West Coast. The clerk reported that a subsidy of £2 for £1 would be payable by the Government on equipment required for emergency precautions. The matter of fuel control was discussed with the Deputy Fuel Controller. PETROL FOR E.P.S. VEHICLES. P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 24. An announcement has been made that the Government has agreed to allow all vehicles used for E.P.S. work one gallon of petrol for the remainder of this month. The direction given to this effect applies throughout the Dominion.