HOME GUARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 10, 13 January 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

AREA COMMANDERS

WANGANUI CONFERENCE

The first conference ol the Home Guard in Area 6a was held at the Wanganui City Council Chambers yesterday. The conference was attended by commanders of companies in the city area, and also by sub-area commanders. The agenda paper was a lengtny one and dealt witn every phase of the organisation, and also many problems and difficulties. Reports from country areas and the city on enrolments disclosed a strength lon the area of more than 1800. One tnousand men are still required in the city aiea, which has a total of 700 enrolments so far. Enrolments reported were: Bulls 76, Marton 165, Kata 132, Taihape 180, Waimarino 103. Kakatahi-Makirikiri area 120, Turakina-Wangaehu-Ratana area 190, Kai Iwi-Rapanui area 100. Remaining areas were below 50. During a discussion on the allocation of duties between the Home Guard and the Emergency Precautions Scheme, it was stressed that all desired co-operation between the interested parties. It was reported that some attestation forms were reaching area headquarters incompleted, and sub-area and attesting officers were asked to attend to the matter when enrolments were being made. Sub-area headquarters are: Fordell: Mangamahu, Kauangaroa, Wangaehu, Turakina, Ratana, and Okoia. Taihape: Mangaweka and Utiku. Rael-ibi: Ohakune, Karioi, and Waikini. Makirikiri: Kakatahi, Parikino, and Kaiwhaiki. Kai Iwi: Maxwell and Brunswick. Wanganui: Battalion and area headquarters; and Rapanui, Westmere, Wanganui East, Castlecliff, Gonville, and Central.

Jlunterville: Mangaweka, Rata, and Ohingaiti. Marton: Greatford and Bulls (subheadquarters). The area commander, Major R. D. Hardie, D.S.Q., explained that a subarea commander and a unit commander were two different posts. Il may happen, he added, that one man mignt hold both appointments, but this would depend on circumstances. Where possible such a course would be avoided, and there did not appear at the moment a necessity to combine botii offices. The selection of leaders Iw as made bn merit. In making recommendations for appointments it was important to give lull details ol the qualifications of those recommended, and previous military service, if any, was desirable. All appointments were temporary till confirmed by the proper authority. Area Mapping.

The mapping of the area is one of the first tasks of the Home Guard. There are 51 miles of coastline to be considered and nine rivers and streams in the area. Each sub-area will provide a map of its area down to the coastline. This information will be placed on a master map of the area. The training of the Home Guard in elementary work is already in progress. All the equipment necessary is not yet available, but much can be accomplished without arms, and a summary of what could be done was read at the conference. The summary included reconnaissance, schemes of evacuation of both civil population and stock, and obesrvation work. Preparations for continuing training on wet nights, and during the winter, was considered, and the question will be decided by unit commanders. Courses of instruction begin at Foxton on January 18. It is expected that these courses will continue, and that many more will have the opportunity of attending. Those attending the first course arc: Major D. E. Gardiner, D. 5.0., and Captain J. B. Bennett, M.C., Raetihi; Captain L. Duckworth and Mr. H. L. Grut, Marton; Captain S. T. H. Roskilly, Kauangaroa; Mr. H. Clemance, Makirikiri; Mr. H. Dyke, Wanganui.