VOLUNTEERS FOR SPECIAL FORCE

Southland Times, Issue 23945, 11 October 1939, Page 8

VOLUNTEERS FOR SPECIAL FORCE

FEWER ENLISTMENTS YESTERDAY MEDICAL BOARD EXAMINES 31 RECRUITS Fewer enlistments in the special military force for service within New Zealand or overseas were received at the Defence Department at Invercargill yesterday, when only seven men volunteered. The total number of enlistments in Southland is now 818.. Thirty-one recruits were examined by a Medical Board in Invercargill yesterday, and of this number 19 were passed as fit. One was classed as being temporarily unfit and the othex 11 were rejected as permanently until. Up to the present 637 recruits have been medically examined in Southland and of this total 431 have been passed as fit. The medical boardshave placed 75 in the temporarily unfit class and the remaining 131 have been rejected as permanently unfit. two boards will examine in Invercargill today and one will sit again tomorrow and Friday. . , Seventy-three recruits will leave tor training camp by the 7 a.m. express on Friday and another draft of oO will depart on Sunday night by the 6.40 p.m. train for the artillery camp in Ngaruawahia. Any men residing in tne country and who will be required . to remain in Invercargill on the evening before their departure, will be issued with accommodation orders if they make application at the Defence Department between 7 and 8 p.m. The following men enlisted yesterday:— Blackburn, Robert John, caretakers assistant, 76 William street, Invercargill. Brownsell, George, unemployed, c/o G.P.0., Invercargill. Dawson, William Arthur, fisherman, Halfmoon Bay, Stewart Island. Hanna, James Robert, bush feller, Morten street, Invercargill. Hardy, Louis Armstrong, shepherd, Walter Peak, Queenstown. Rodgers, Clifford Arnold, mechanic,

Otautau. Robinson, William Eric, farm labourer, Post Office, Riverton.

LEATHER FOR BRITISH ARMYBOOTS INCREASE IN HOME-GROWN PRODUCE (British Official Wireless) (Received October 10, 7.5 p.m.) RUGBY, October 10. The Ministry of Supply stated today that sufficient stocks of sole leather to keep the British Army well shod until well into 1940 were earmarked before the outbreak of war. Ample supplies to meet all requirements after then are being arranged. A single example of the way Britain is increasing the volume of homegrown produce, comes from Newcastle which is aiming at becoming partially self-supporting in the supply of milk and potatoes. Plans are being made to graze on the Newcastle town moor, 500 cows which will supply 1000 gallons of milk daily. At the same time there will be a saving of petrol and transport from outlying areas. It is also planned to plough up 60 acres of the moor to yield 500 tons of potatoes next year.

AUSTRALIAN AIRMEN FOR OVERSEAS COMMONWEALTH’S OFFER TO BRITAIN MELBOURNE, October 10. The Australian War Cabinet has decided that a ground personnel will accompany the 550 pilots and men who will comprise the air expeditionary force of six squadrons which the Commonwealth Government has offered to the British Government. This will mean that with a reinforcement pool of 225 men the total strength of the force will be 3200 men. The force will be oommanded by Group Captain H. F. de la Rue, commanding officer of the Royal Australian Air Force station at Richmond (New South Wales). Recruiting for the force will begin almost immediately. SPORTSMEN IN ROYAL AIR FORCE CRICKETERS AND BOXERS REPRESENTED LONDON, October 9. Sportsmen taking up commissions in the Royal Air Force include the cricketers W. R. Hammond (Gloucestershire, and captain of England), A. E. R. Gilligan (Sussex) and L. G. Crawley, of Essex, who is also an international golfer. Boxers are represented by Len Harvey (former Empire champion heavyweight) and Eddie Phillips. The first group of war correspondents has left to join the R.A.F. in France, says a message from Rugby.