THE HOME GUARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 2 December 1940, Page 6

THE HOME GUARD

PUBLIC MEETING AT MAPIA About 50 of those interested in the Home Guard met in the Mapua Hall to hear addresses by Colonel Brereton and Captain Lucie-Smith. The districts of Mapua, Mahana, Tasman and Redwood's Valley were represented. lV[r W. P. Salmond occupied the chair and after extending a welcome to the visitors, the proceedings of a previous meeting when it was decided that a Home Guard unit be formed in Mapua and a committee set up comprising Messrs W. P. Salmond (chairman), S. L. Thawley (secretary), F. Reed and Stewart. Colonel Brereton stressed the necessity for a Home Guard and introduced Captain Lucie-Smith, Area Commander for Nelson Province. Captain Lucie-Smith ,dealt with the proposed activities of the Home Guard and said he thought it better to have a number of small units of not less than ten men to save members travelling more than 4 or 5 miles to attend I parades. The meeting decided that Tasman be one unit and Mapua-Mahana one unit and it was reported that Redwood’s Val- | ley had already decided to have its own unit. After a vote of thanks to the speakers and to the Hall Society for the use of the hall free of charge, the meeting was closed with the singing of the National Anthem. Enrolments were then proceeded with, with gratifying results. To date the Mapua-Mahana unit has 50 members and Tasman unit about the same number. The first parade of the Mapua unit will be held on Wednesday 4th December in the Public Hall at 7.30 p.m. Captain Lucie-Smith will be ill charge. WANGAPEKA AND SOUTHERN MOTUPIKO DISTRICT A LARGELY ATTENDED MEETING The excellent attendance at the meeting held at Tapawera on Saturday evening for the purpose of meeting Captain E. Lucie-Smith, M.C., Area Commander of the Nelson District Home Guard, demonstrated the keen interest taken in the movement in that district. The fact that more than 100 men, mostly farmers and consequently very busy people at this time of the year, considered the matter of sufficient importance to make their presence necessary, must have been en ouraging to those entrusted with the organising of this most important national service. The chairman, Mr E. Harrison Jones,

introduced Captain Lucie-Smith, who was accorded a very hearty reception on rising to address tho meeting on the objects and n d of the formation in New Zealand of a Home Guard. Following his address, the captain invited questions, his invitation being accepted with alacrity by those present, giving the visitor a rather busy hour or so. At the conclusion, Captain LucieSmith was accorded a vote of thanks by acclamation, following which the committees of the various sub-districts proceeded to enrol members. The enrolment of practically every man present was effected.