CITIZENS' DEFENCE CORPS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 11595, 13 January 1916, Page 7

CITIZENS' DEFENCE CORPS.

A BOOM IN RECRUITING. THE WORK OF THE C.D.C ENROLLING RECRUITS FOR NEXT REINFORCEMENTS. (B? " MARK TIME.") Following is the official list of the Citizens' Defence Corps:— HEADQUARTERS AND RECRUITING BUREAU. It, Hereford Street, opposite New Zealand Tourist Office. THE STAFF, President, Mr George Harper. Commandant, J. J. Dougail. Adjutant, S, Hardey. Regimental Sergeant-Major, W. V. Mauchlin. Regimaptal secretary, J. M. Turnbull ; Regimental treasurer, R. S. Mitchell. Executive—Messrs George Harper (president), J. J, Doupll (Commandant), H. Holland (Mayor), G. T. Booth, W. Johnson. J. D. Millton, A. C. Maxwell. J. M'Lean, Cyrus Williams, N. Woods. R. H. Mitchell (honorary treasurer) and J. if. Turnbull (honorory secretary). Meet oTOry Tuesday, 5 p.m. THE UNITS. No. 1, Sydenham—Officer commanding, T. J. Noonan. No. 2, Cashmere—O.C., George Booth, No. 3, Woolston'-Opawa—O.C. H. S. Newman. ' No. 4, Fendalton— O.C, G. H. Helmore. No. 5, Sumfler-Redclifs—O.C, A. C. Wilson. No/ 6, Biclrmond.Avonsia*~O.C, R. 6. Ward..

No. 7, Linwood—O.C., A. C. Maxwell; platoon commanders, W. F. Bridgman and F. A. Lightfoot. No. 8, St Albanfl-Papanui-0.0., C. B. Morris; platoon commanders, T Gibson and E, R. Webb.

No. 9, City—O.C, H. S. Williams; platoon oommandere, No. 1, A. Goodhart, No. 3, W E. D. Bishop; Company Sergeant-Major, R. B. Lucas; QuartenxifcSterrSergeant, E. J. Bell.

No. 10, Addington-Spreydon—O.C. S. H. Thomas. No. IJ, Riccatton—O.C Adam Smith; platoon commander, Hunter. _ No. 12, Footballers' Unit-O.C, F. T. Brans.

Engineers—O.C., Major A. "W. Jones. Unite with similar organisations, but not nctusdly attached—Lytlelton; Keiapoi (0.C., E. E. P&pprill); Ashburton. C.D.C. Baad—Conductor, Lieutenant A. J.JJerton; honorary secretary, 8. N. Robinson. Citizens' Defence Corps Reoroitinff Bureau —Officers in charge, J. M. Turnbufi. and J. D. Milton, assisted by member*. Secretaries of units will oblige by forwarding information regarding any changes that may occur and also any items of interest in connection with thti doings of their respective unite. There has been marked activity in recruiting during the last eight or nine days, and the result was that the Christchuroh quota of the Twelfth Reinforcements left for the main camp last night thirteen men to.the good. That was a very fine record, and there is no doubt h that future reinforcements, at all events for some time to come, will "show as good if not even better results. Our eligible men realise their duty, and there is no doubt that their Response will meet all the requirements that are from them. Enlistments for. the Thirteenth Reinforcements aro now being received at the C.D.C. and Defence offices, and it is reasonable to hop© that the full quota will be secured long before it is required to leave for ©amp. ■••m • , •

At Thursday evening's parade of the Linwood Unit of the C.D.C. there was a fair muster of members, although the unit was not up to its full strength. This was accounted for by the fact that many men had not returned from trips taken during the Christmas holidays, and for other pretty substantial reasons. This rem irk applies to the whole of the units. *7hen the men get into everyday harness again it is honed there will be no complaint regarding irregular if the men are patriotic. ;:; .V• • * *

In connection with the coining Queen Carnival in aid of the Patriotic Fund, 'thfr iOJD.G. Committee will meet at Captain Morris's rooms, 146, Armagh Street: at eight o'clock to-morrow night in order to prepare the way for an energetic campaign in the interests of the soldiers' queen, Mrs George Rhodes. The selection of the queen was unanimous on the part of all sections, and now real, right-down, good, earnest work will be required in order to attain success, that every member of the C.D.C. will do his best—let that be little or biggoes without.saying, and let it be remembered that the more energy that is put into the -work, the more it will help in another direction, namely, the recruiting campaign. So far, very gratifying offers of kindly help have been received and accepted, and before many, days are over we may expect to s-eo the red and white badge—the solqueen colour—very prominent in the city and suburbs interested. > lt is a good and a great work, and will no doubt receive the hearty approbation of the public, both monetarily and otherwise. • ■» * • •

The Taifc Cup competition should now be receiving the attention of the various units of the 0.D.0. So far as one can hear, the only units which have given consideration to the matter are Sumncr-Redcliffs and Linwood. I have not been able to obtain the conditions of the competition, but I understand it will comprise sections of sixteen men. The sooner the units get to business the more time will they have in bringing up their teams to a thorough state of efficiency. •#■ • » •

In the course of his usual practice of addressing the men at the conclusion of a parade, Captain Maxwell, of the Linwood Unit, referred in sympathetic terms to the unfortunate accident which -befel Private P. Burdett Sapsford by which he sustained a compound fracture of one of his legs. The captain said he had visited Private Sapsford at the hospital and was pleased to say lie was making as satisfactory progress as could be expected considering the nature of his injuries. The sentiments were endorsed by the men on parade. Captain Maxwell also expressed his heartfelt thanks to the members of the Unit who had either verbally or by letter sympathised with himself and family in their great bereavement through the death of his son at the Dardanelles. ■ » • » # #

Tho miniature rifle shooting range constructed by the members of the Linwood Unit of the C.D.O. was one of the attractions at the recent River Bank Carnival. The receipts from this source, reaching nearly £25, was a record of which the members who worked so hard to ensure success should feel proud. Every precaution was taken against accident, and the range proved one of the popular features of the fixture. At Thursday night's parade of the unit, Captain Maxwell took occasion to warmly thank those-zealous workers in tho unit who had undertaken fmch a big task. i\nd when one comes to think of it seriously, it was a big undertaking. Anyhow, it was a good object lesson for the croakers who are continually asking "What's the good of the C'.IXC.?" "'By their works ye shall know them," and this was a practical and ocular proof of the training of the men in the ranks of the CIXC, should they ever be called upon for construction work for defence purposes.

* * * ■ . • -..»._• -» .When the Citizens' Defence Corps Bureau was first opened . there were some people who rather smiled at the presumption of civilian members of tho community daring to undertake such work. Yes, they smiled, hut it was only on one side of their faces. Now those same people are most demonstrative jjnd say "Yes, fine idea; splendidly managed!" and take no

little credit for having given the scheme a helping hand. Be that as it may, the C.D.C. was, and is, composed of mon who can tako a few rebuffs with good humour, and this has spelt success to its efforts in carrying out a work that no other organisation was in a position to undertake. What has been the result? To-day, after eight months and ton days' existence, no fewer than 281.7 men have enlisted through the medium of the C.D.C. Bureau, and it may be safely said thai: the manner in which recruits hav.o.been enabled to gain information fir&t hand from men who understood them, and helped them has done much to attain this splendid result. a • • • • The usual weekly parade of the Linwood Unit will be held in Linwood Park to-night at half-past seven o'clock. As it is likely that some important business in connection with the Tnit Cujp and other matters may be considered at an open-air meeting at the conclusion of the parade, Captain Maxwell has issued a special request for a full attendance.