DISTRICT PREPARES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 64, Issue 4523, 14 January 1942, Page 4

DISTRICT PREPARES

EMERGENCY ORGANISATION EXECUTIVE MEETING The Mayor (Mr L. G. Armstrong) presided over a well attended meeting on Monday evening of the Central Committee and Sectional Controllers acting in terms of Emergency Precautions Service organisation, when preparatory planning was advanced a stage further. Reporting the try-out of sirens, Mr Graham Macky gave a good deal of detailed information. The National Service Department advised the arrangements for the allocation of petrol for use in emergency and the procedure to be adopted. It was left to each Controller to make suitable arrangements. Proposals were advanced in connection with the proposed issue of a booklet for the guidance of householders, particularly in the direction of setting out immediate domestic preparations and action to be taken in emergency. HELP FOR CHIEF CONTROLLER There was some discussion on internal organisation and it was decided that Messrs S. C. Macky (chairman of the Waipa County Council) and J. T. Johnson (chairman of the Te Awamutu Power Board), with Mr Graham Macky (engineer to the Waipa County Council) as technical adviser, be co-opted to act in association with the Chief Controller, Mr Armstrong. The Putaruru Emergency Committee advised the nature of a communication to the Minister of National Service and asked support to the representations made. It was decided to act in the manner indicated. A communication was received advising the setting up of the Railway Emergency Precautions Branch. In this regard Mr R. H. Annabel (local stationmaster) attended and explained the nature of the organisation and its purpose. One railway staff member previously enrolled in a civilian organisation was released for service in the Railway Unit. EVACUEES FROM CITIES On the advice of the Controller of Records, it was decided, in order to minimise the demand on transport during times of emergency, that action be now taken to supplement available bedding for evacuees from the cities. Tabulated statistical data of the homes available and the bedding requirements, as indicated in the questionnaire, was submitted. Questions of supply are to be discussed with the Controller of Evacuation in Auckland so as to co-ordinate the work and availability o£ supplies in keeping with the reserve stocks held for that purpose.