BIG FIELD DAY AT PINE BUSH

Southland Times, Issue 24682, 2 March 1942, Page 4

BIG FIELD DAY AT PINE BUSH

MANOEUVRES OF HOME GUARDSMEN The Gore-Waimahaka battalion of the Home Guard carried out a successful field day at Pine Bush yesterday when the training of the last 12 months was thoroughly tested. The whole battalion took part and a large number of men was engaged in the manoeuvres. The day’s proceedings were under the direction of the battalion commander, Major W. R. J. Pollock, with Captain C. A. Teschner as second in command and Lieutenant A. J. Hawke as adjutant. The umpires were provided by the Lumsden-Waikaka battalion and Group 12A Headquarters. The Group Director, Lieutenant-Colonel E. F. Selby, was present and watched the proceedings, while Lieutenant-Colonel H. C. Mackenzie, accompanied by a contingent of Invercargill Army officers, also attended. The defence took up a position from the cross-roads south of Mataura Island, and the attack was launched in full strength from the Pine Bush end. The defence was under the command of Captain F. G. Wiles, of Gore, and Captain F. M. Murray, of Gore., was in command of the attackers. It was considered that the training received was excellent and although many weaknesses were found it is considered that with a little more training these will be adjusted. A meal, cooked and servd by the canteen section of the Women’s War Service Auxiliary at the end of the manoeuvres, was greatly appreciated by the men. The organization was excellent. The big number of men on parade made it necessary to provide large quantities of foodstuffs and the following were taken to Mataura Island:'soolb of cooked and sliced meat; 3601 b of clean potatoes; 2401 b of tomatoes; 161 b of tea; 751 b of sugar; 141 b of salt; 40 loaves of bread; 401 b of butter; nine gallons of pickles; 10 gallons of milk. Of the big number of men on parade only one casualty was suffered during the day. One man, Mr W. G. McKillop, of Mataura, suffered an injury to the knee and after he had been attended to by the ambulance section he was removed to the Gore Hospital. His condition last night was satisfactory.