HOME GUARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25301, 11 August 1943, Page 4

HOME GUARD

CONFERENCE AT ALEXANDRA

On'the occasion of the change of status of the Home Guard from a front-line force to a reserve force, Major M. H. R. Jones, the zone commander of Zone 118, held a conference of Home Guard battalion commanders and seconds-in-com-mand at Alexandra last Thursday evening, when questions affecting the change were dealt with. Those present were: Lieutenant-colonel Mackenzie, Major Jones, and Captain Christian of zone headquarters, Major Smith and Captain Todd from the Maniototo Battalion, Major Denniston and Captain Eliot from the Vincent Battalion, and Captain Fuller from the Lakes Battalion. In view of the fact that zones and zone staffs would shortly disappear, Major Jones took the opportunity of thanking those present and, through them, all officers and other ranks of the Home Guard who had worked so hard to build up an efficient fighting force. All the officers present were later his guests at a dinner, given at the CriterionClub Hotel. Advantage was taken of the opportunity to recognise the excellent work of the former group director, of Group 118, Lieutenant-colonel P. Mackenzie, who v/as responsible for the organisation and administration"'of the Home Guard throughout Central- Otago from ■ November, 1940, to January, 1943, the date on which the army took over complete control. Lieutenant-colonel Mackenzie was presented with a handsome ebony and silver occasional table, suitably Inscribed, the gift of the officers and other ranks of the three battalions in the group. Major R. J. E. Smith, who made the presentation. referred to the good work of the recipent in those early days of the Home Guard movement. Colonel Mackenzie acknowledged the gift.