HAWERA NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 November 1924, Page 9

HAWERA NEWS.

LEGION OF FRONTIERSMEN, LOYALTY TO THE EMPIRE. ASSISTING MILITARY TRAINING. (From Out Own Reporter.) Hawera, Nov. 22. The interest displayed in the work of the Legion of Frontiersmen at last night’s meeting of legionaries from all parts of Taranaki augurs well for the successful formation of a troop in Hawera. Quarterm'aster-Sergeant Carson outlined the origin, the aims and the objects of the legion in a very interesting manner. Few, he said, fully understood the origin of the legion or the reasons for which it existed. It was formed in the first place, he said, by a man named Rodger Pocock, who was at one time a member of the North-West Mounted Police. During one of his long treks in Alaska Pocock was disabled by frostbite, and was no longer useful in the mounted police. His separation from the police was felt very keenly, and when he returned to London he decided to form the legion, which ha!d for its objects loyalty to the flag and the King and the Empire. AVhen he went out to the South African w r ar Pocock met many men from the various colonies of the Empire, and his idea of the legion was quickly taken up by the men from overseas. The legion was not bound to any particular religion or politics. In New Zealand there was, unfortunately, an element which aimed at the disintegration of the Empire. This was aiming at the chief plank in the legion’s platform, and some day the legion might Ibe called upon to help defend their country against this element. In the legion there were no social distinctions —all were on the same level. Colonel C. H. Weston, O.C. of the Taranaki Squadron, said the nation was one of frontiersmen, and it was these who had spread the Empire all ov6r the world. Those of us who were not actually frontiersmen had the job of keeping together that which the frontiersmen had won. One of the chief objects of the legion was to assist the military training authorities in the training of territorials and cadets. The military authorities needed all the assistance they could get in the way of public opinion. Lieutenant Vickridge (who presided at the gathering), Frontiersmen Alley (Waverley), Foord (Eltham), and Lieutenants Hunter (Egmont), Bertrand, Brokenshire and Norton (New Plymouth) and Mr. IL B. GJbeon addressed the gathering, which later adjourned to the Carlton tea-rooms, where refreshments were served and an excellent musical programme was given. A resolution was passed that a troop be formed at Hawera, the name to be decided at a later meeting, which will launch the troop as a fully fledged member of the great body. AUTOMOBILE ASSOCIATION. ACTIVITY IN HAWERA. Hawera, Nov. 23. The usefulness of the South Taranaki Automobile Association was demonstrated at a meeting of the executive last night when Dr. W. M. Thomson presided over an attendance consisting of Messrs. S. C. Tonks, W. O’Callaghan, Dr. J. McGhie and W. G. Walkley (secretary). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs. J. Duffil, P. O’Dea and E. P. Cox.

A letter was received from the New Plymouth association suggesting the amalgamation of both ends of the province into one body, and a meeting of delegates to go thoroughly into the question.—lt was decided to reply stating that the matter would be placed before the South Taranaki branches and suggesting a meeting of delegates on Tuesday night. The secretary reported that the Hawera County Council had agreed to erect direction posts at points to be mutually agreed upon, providing the association supplied the posts.

The Hawera Borough Council sought the association’s opinion on the advisability of allowing spot-lights to be used on motor cars.—The decision was that, although the association did not think spotlights should be allowed within the borough, they would not advise prohibiting their use on back country roads. Discussing the question of “safety first,” the executive agreed to enlist the assistance of school teachers in educating the children to observe safety rules on the roads.

It was decided to write to the borough council urging th e provision of adequate parking places for cars, and suggesting ways and means of overcoming the difficulties.

On the question of mutual insurance a letter was received from the Masterton association, and the matter was referred to the central body. The secretary reported that he had already received a number of requests for information with regard to accredited hotels in various places and the state of the roads in outside districts.