PROVINCIAL SECTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24792, 17 December 1941, Page 11

PROVINCIAL SECTION

THE OAMARU DISTRICT

NATIONAL RESERVE FAREWELL TO TWO MEMBERS PLEASANT SOCIAL FUNCTION The spirit of comradeship between officers and men was again manifest at the social gathering held by the Oamaru Company of the National Reserve in the Drill Hall on Monday night. There was an excellent muster, and Major M. H. R. Jones presided, there being with him Private W. H. Wylie. Lieutenants J. F. Kibblewhite, C. E. Taylor. H. T. Hall, D. Collins and C. J L. Mollison. Major Jones said the purpose of the gathering was twofold They thought they had come t 6 the end of the year's training, but training was to be continued. They had also met to express good wishes to Private W. H. Wylie, who had enlisted and would leave shortly, and to Lieutenant J. F. Kibblewhite, who was going to the Staff College at Palmer - ston North. He welcomed to the ranks of the 19th Company Privates Muirhead, McCulloch and Main, and added that he had received Christmas greetings from Corporal C. Zimmermann at Singapore. They had worked very hard, Major Jones said, and had reached the stage when the unit was very fit and enthusiastic, and would enter into whatever they were called upon to do wholeheartedly. By her treacherous entry into the war, Japan got in a blow first. but Japan would soon feel the full weight of America, England and Russia, to sey nothing of China. The National Reserve, in other parts had been .mobilised, but the Oamaru Company had not been mobilised yet. They had, nowever, to hold themselves ready for mobilisation at a moment's notice. He proposed that training should be continuous, and the company would parade at 9 o clock next Sunday morning. "Absent Comrades"

Toast List Honoured The following toast list was honoured: —" The King "; "Absent Comrades " ("Requiem" sung by Mr J. Macmilian, and '" Last Post " and the reveille sounded bv Mr A. Nuttall); "Second N.Z.E.F." (Lieutenant C. J. L. Mollison—Private Williamson); "Guest of Honour" (Lieutenant J. F. Kibblewhite—Private W. H. Wylie); " Lieutenant Kibblewhite " (Major M. H. R. Jones—Lieutenant Kibblewhite); " Performers and Press " (Corporal D. S. Dodds—Mr J. Macmilian); and "The Chairman " (Lieutenant C. E. Taylor). Musical items were contributed by Messrs C. Campbell, J. Macmilian, A. Nuttall and J. Jackman. The strength of the company is 126, but there are still vacancies.

URGENT NEED BLOOD DONORS WANTED Dr Bevan Brown (medical superintendent of the Oamaru Public Hospital) reported to the Waitaki Hospital Board yesterday morning that blood donors were urgently needed. Most of those on the list belonged to the E.P.S., Home Guard, or National Reserve, and might not be available when required. There was no need for people to be apprehensive, as the loss of blood was trifling and there was no disability. He appealed to middle-aged and aged men in reasonable health, and to women not engaged in war servic s, to act as blood donprs. That was a way to give real service. The hospital had to be prepared for an emergency, Dr Bevan Brown said, and it was not desirable that it should be overcrowded. The medical staff had. therefore, decided to delay admission to non-urgent cases. Donors of blood were asked to communicate by telephone or to call at the hospital at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, though if that time did not suit they could call at any time.

Proposing the toast of "Absent Comrades," Major Jones said the toast was a tribute to the men with whom they had fought on Gallipoli, in France, Egypt and Palestine, and who had made the supreme sacrifice. They owed a great deal to these men, and they owed a great deal to the men of the 2nd N.Z.E.F.. and those men who had answered the last Roll Call. • Lieutenant C. J. L. Mollison proposed the toast of "The 2nd N.Z.E.F.," and said they little thought when they were demobilised in 1919 that their sons would be called upon to-day. The Anzacs had done a great job, but they had found that the boys of to-day were facing even more difficult and more ..treacherous jobs. Their hearts were full as the casualty lists came through, and they could think in silence for a moment for the boys overseas and wish them a happy return to New Zealand. A tribute was paid to the guest of honour. Private W. H. Wylie, by Lieutenant Kibblewhite. Private Wylie. who has been granted His commission in the New Zealand Dental Corps, made a suitable reply. , ~ , Major Jones acknowledged the work done by Lieutenant Kibblewhite, for the company, and said he. had given very loyal support. Lieutenant Kibblewhite was the son of Sergeant-major Kibblewhite, one of the finest sergeant-majors that had ever been in Oamaru. Major Jones traced his military career througn Duntroon College and in France, and said he was going to the staff corps at Pa"merston North. He was tactful and a good leader, and had been a tower ot strength to the n.c.o.'s class. The n.c.o.s of the company were up to the standard of any n.c.o.'s in the National Reserve, and the n.c.o.'s who had sat for their commissions had been coached by hini He Vas very proud of Lieutenant Kibblewhite's work with the company. Lieutenant Kibblewhite suitably replied.

POLICE COURT CASES A sitting of the Police Court was held yesterday morning before Messrs J. Gerrie and A. W. Woodward, J.P.'s. Senior Sergeant T. I. McGregor prosecuted for the police. Gordon McCabe was fined £2 and costs (10s), and was ordered to pay damages (14s 6d) for the unlawful conversion of a bicycle. Alice Emily Kerson was fined 10s. and costs (10s), for driving a car without a jwarrant of fitness.