TEMUKA E.P.S.

Timaru Herald, Volume CLI, Issue 22230, 25 March 1942, Page 2

TEMUKA E.P.S.

Involved Problems Deputation From E.F.S. The impossibility of anticipating every probable type of emergency and the necessity of keeping all arrangements as fluid as possible to meet changing conditions were emphasised by the Mayor (Mr W. H. McMillan), who presided at a meeting of the E.P.S. Executive on Monday. Representatives from the Winchester, Waitohi, Milford and Clandeboye E.P.S. attended. “In a seaport town such as Timaru.” said Mr McMillan, “the problem is comparatively simple, as only evacuation has to be considered. In an inland town the main problem is to prepare for the accommodation of evacuees. The position of Temuka is rather more complicated and any arrangements made must be capable of being changed at a moment’s notice. Consideration has been given to the accommodation of evacuees from other centres. There is not much likelihood that Temuka would have to be fully evacuated, but arrangements should bd made to meet the situation if it arose.”

On receipt of a letter from the Accommodation and Evacuation section of the Timaru E.P.S.. Mr W. L. Harrison (chairman of the Supplies Committee) said that the possibility of evacuation from such coastal areas as Milford and Clandeboye would have to be considered. Mr G. H. Mulligan (Clandeboye): The position is so involved that it is impossible to consider every eventuality. Mr McMillan: We have received instructions that only general arrangements are to be made, and the whole organisation is to be kept as fluid as possible. Mr R. McCully said that all instructions regarding partial or total evacuation or dispersal would be received through the military authorities. There were important bridgeheads in the vicinity of the town, and in the case of military operations, the main requirement would be to keep the people off the roads. It was decided to get in touch with the military officer in command of the district in order to clarify the position.

Fire Equipment Needed A deputation consisting of Messrs J. Allfrey and S. Reid, representing the Fire Brigade and the E.F.S. respectively, waited on the meeting to urge that equipment be obtained for the E.F.S. and a telephone be installed at the Fire Brigade Station.

Mr Reid said that the 60 members of the E.F.S. had been in training for some time and they had come to the stage where little more could be done without equipment. The members were unanimous that a telephone at the Fire Station was absolutely essential.

Mr Allfrey said that other sections of the E.P.S. were now fully equipped. The Fire Brigade was the first line of defence in any emergency, and so far the E.F.S. had not received one shilling’s worth of equipment. The necessity of night telephone connections was brought up by Mr Mulligan, and Mr Allfrey replied that more than 90 per cent, of the fires occurred between midnight and 6 a.m. The night connection w’ould be most important and firemen were willing to pay for the night connection at their homes if the telephone was installed On the motion of Mr R. Maddren (Winchester) it was decided that a recommendation be made to the council that a telephone be installed and equipment be immediately procured.

Country Home Guardsmen A point in connection with Home Guards living in the country was brought up by Mr Mulligan, who asked that some arrangements be made for looking after the cows and other stock of Home Guards who might be called up for a period of some days. There must be people in the towns with country experience who would be willing to take the place of men called up. Cows could not be left unattended, and a register of men or women willing to undertake the work would be of great assistance. It was arranged that any person willing to undertake this emergency work could register with the secretary of the E.P.S.

The Superintendent of the Fire Brigade (Mr F. J. Chapman) reported that the manager of N.Z. Insulators Ltd. had offered to raise both the siren and the whistle at the works above roof-level and to make them available as an emergency warning The offer was gratefully accepted and a general tryout of all sections was decided on for Saturday. April 18 arrangements for the programme to be left to the executive. The chairmen of the various sections of the E.P.S. reported good musters at section exercises, and that training was well up-to-date.

AROWHENUA RED CROSS Talks and demonstrations were given by Mrs J. M. H. Tripp and Mrs Firmstone at the annual meeting of the Arowhenua Maori Sub-centre of the Red Cross Society, held in the Maori hall. The president (Mrs H. OConnor) welcomed members and visitors. The election Gf officers resulted as follows: Patron. Dr. F. A. Scannell; patroness, Mrs J. M. H. Tripp; president, Miss A. Gregory; vice-president. Miss Bremner and Mrs H. OConnor; secretary and treasurer. Miss Bremner; assistant secretary, Mrs H. A. Boulton; committee. Mesdames R. Woodley. B. Soloman. Others elected to the general committee and as members were Mesdames Kemara. Torepe. Ackroyd. Clinch. Mita, Gillum. Wade, and Misses P. Wixon and A. Hopkinson. The annua] report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mrs Kemara. seconded by Mrs Ackrovd Miss Gregory was appointed as delegate to the Geraldine centre. It was decided to form a home nursing class after Easter, and those willing to join were asked to pass their names into Miss Gregory. After demonstrations by Mrs Tripp and Mrs Firmstone, the school children under Miss P. Wixon entertained those present with an action song, which was much appreciated.

BRISK SALE OF BONDS Business was brisk at the shoo opened in King Street by members of the Temuka National Savings Committee for the sale of “Bonds for Bombers” yesterday. Bonds to the value of £lB2 were disposed of. Another £258 was taken at the Post Office and the two trading banks, making the total £441 PERSONAL Mrs M. Quinn, Point Road, is visiting Rangiora. Gunnel E. Jamieson. Featherston is the guest of his parents Mr and Mrs R. Jamieson. Seddon Street. Mr.s W. Mclnncs, Wellington, is spending a holiday in Temuka as the guest of Mr and Mrs H. Robinson. Maude Street. Mr.s Harry Pierce, Christchurch, is the guest of Mr and Mrs J. B. Davis. King Street,