MORE RECRUITS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23620, 2 April 1940, Page 9

MORE RECRUITS

WEEK'S TOTAL 244 MAORI FIGURES DOUBLED J NORTHERN DISTRICT RETURNS Reflecting the stimulus provided by the presence of soldiers of the Expeditionary Force on Easter leave, recruiting figures in the northern military district last week showed the best increase for many weeks. For European units the total went up from 211, recorded the previous week, to 214, while the returns for the Maori Battalion more than doubled, the total being 48, compared with 22 the week before. There are now 1842 men in the district who are fit and available for the European force, while there are an additional 740 still to be medically examined. These figures bring the district very close to its third echelon quota, but at the same time it is emphasised that the need for further steady recruiting continues to exist. The same condition applies to the Maori Battalion. The district now has 216 Maoris fit and available for calling up, wliilo 498 still have to be medically examined. However, it is stated that any interruption in recruiting will handicap the mobilisation of replacements and reinforcements. The total of 244 last week for the European units was made up as follows, the previous week's figures being given in parentheses:—Auckland, 109 (108); Paeroa, 56 (26); Whangarei, 30 (35) ;* and Hamilton, 49 (42). Registrations for the Maori Battalion were; — Auckland, 7 (2); Paeroa, 18 (4); Whangarei, 23 (13); Hamilton, 0 (3).

PARCELS FOR TROOPS AUCKLAND QUOTA EXCEEDED ' 2500 GIFT PACKAGES The response of the Auckland Province to the appeal of the National Patriotic Fund Board for sift parcels for the first echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Egypt, was commended yesterday by Sir Ernest Davis, chairman of the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council. Sir Ernest said the province had been asked to supply and pack 2315 parcels of uniform content and have them delivered to headquarters in Wellington by April 2. He was pleased to reveal that the province had exceeded the quota, and that approximately 2500 parcels, packed into 250 boxes, had been sent to Wellington from the nine zones comprising the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Council. "I heartily congratulate all concerned upon this magnificent result," said Sir Ernest. "The outcome is due to the tireless energies ,of willing bands of women workers throughout the province, who, in recent weeks, have been applying themselves wholeheartedly to the work." Sir Ernest thanked the women workers concerned, and added that the provincial council was grateful for the cooperation and assistance it had received frohi the various branches of the Women's Institute of New Zealand.

RECRUITING CAMPAIGN DEPOT IN HAMILTON [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON, Monday A recruiting depot was opened todav at Garden Place, Victoria Street, Hamilton. A staff-sergeant will be in attendance daily to accept enlistments. CALLING UP OF NURSES FOUR WAIKATO SISTERS [FKOM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT] HAMILTON, Monday Four former members of the Waikato Hospital Board's nursing staff have been called up for service with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. They are Sisters 10. C. Mackny, A. G. Shewin, E. M. Dvsart, and L. Nicholl. Sisters Mackav and Shewin have been at the Hopuhopu military camp for some months. Sister Dvsart has lately been employed at Taumanmui, and Sister Nicholl at Te Awamutu. fhey will bo given a reception in Hamilton tomorrow afternoon. CONVALESCENT SOLDIERS CARE AT BRYANT HOUSE [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday Increased use is being made by the Army Department of Bryant House, Raglan, as a convalescent home for soldiers, sailors and airmen recovering from operations and illnesses. As many ns 36 men were in the home last week, and since the opening of the home a few months ago 100 men have received treatment there. MEDICAL EXAMINATION 20 PASSED FIT AT HAMILTON [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Monday At a medical examination held at Hamilton, 20 of the 28 recruits were passed as fit, three were temporarily unfit and five permanently unfit.