A BUSY DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24790, 15 December 1941, Page 4

A BUSY DAY

DRILL HALL SCENES DEPARTURE OF TROOPS PLANS FOR TO-DAY Scenes of exceptional activity were witnessed at the Kensington Drill Hall on Saturday, when last-minute preparations were made for the mobilisation to-day and departure for northern camp's of a large contingent of Dunedin territorials. Quartermasters had an especially hectic time, sorting and packing equipment ready for travel. Dozens of men called on unit adjutants to have their orders explained, and for this reason one unit held a ’special parade in the afternoon in order to prevent confusion before the unit leaves early this morning. Three special trains will take the troops to camp. Two will leave this morning, and another to-night will run exclusively for country members of units unable to travel by the earlier trains. A note of warning has been repeated by the army authorities that no member of the public will be allowed on the Station platform during the departure of the trains. A new arrangement has been made for the transport of members of the 3rd Reserve Mechanical Transport Company. They will parade at the appointed time at the Early Settlers’ Hall, where they will be met by motor transports. in which they will travel north, instead of by train. A limited number of members of the Otago University Medical Corps will also be despatched to camp.

In other respects Saturday was" a busy day for the military authorities. The morning mail was the largest ever delivered to the Drill Hall. It included an unusually large number of appeals and requests by men for knowledge regarding their obligations, in addition to the usual official papers circulated from Army Headquarters. A draft of 20 Voluntary Aid nurses for overseas was also despatched by the morning express.

Enlistments for service with' the National Military Reserve and other units continued to be received throughout the day at the Drill Hall. Many more are still required. An appeal has also been issued for volunteers for guard duty at vital points. About 30 men are wanted, and preference will be extended to balloted men in Grade II and those who will not be eligible for early ballots, including married men with more than one child. , HOME GUARD APPEAL for recruits The group director (Lieut.-colonel F. B. Adams), reports that all units of the Home Guard are organised and ready to take their part in the emergency, but more recruits are required immediately to bring the three city battalions up to establishment. The public is asked to give its support to the Home Guard by enlisting at once. Five hundred men are required for each battalion as quickly as possible. Any men not eligible for territorial or overseas service may Join. There is no age barrier, but any who feel they can undertake a reasonable day’s operations out in the open will be welcome., There is no medical examination. Recruits for the Otakou Battalion, which covers St. Clair, St. Kilda, Tainui and Andersonis Bay districtsr will be accepted every evening this week at Battalion Headquarters, at the corner of Young street and Prince Albert road, and any of the company parade centres, at King’s High School. St. Kilda Town Hall, Anderson’s Bay testing station, and Carheron Hall. Anderson’s Bay tram terminus, on Thursday evening. Recruits will also be received at Portobello by application to Mr F. Bayne. Recruits for- the Cargill "TBattalidn. which covers all the area north of Rattray street, will be enrolled at the North East Valley Town Hall, and Maori Hill Coronation Hall every even, ihg this week. Recruits for the Flagstaff Battalion, covering the south of Rattray street, will be . accepted everv evening at the old Garrison Hall, Dowling street. There will be recruiting daily this at the Dugout in the Octagon.