HOME GUARD ACTIVITY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 32, 7 February 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD ACTIVITY

ENCOURAGING TRAINING REPORTS WANGANUI DISTRICT Good reports have come to hand from country areas regarding training and recruiting for the Home Guard. Kakatahi held their first parade on February 1, having three platoons under the command of Lt. R. O. Montgomerie. Mr. C. G. Fennell and S.M. J. A. Voltz were instructors. Makirikiri, Mangamahu, Wangaehu and Turakina held their parades last Saturday. Lt. Orton (2nd N.Z.E.F.) and A.Q.M.S. Hunter were at Makirikiri. Sixty-five Guardsmen were on parade. Mr. J. A. Nicholls and Sgt. W. Bracks went to Mangamahu and instructed an enthusiastic parade. Wangaehu paraded 48 and were instructed by Cpl. W. Emu, National Military Reserve, and S.M. J. A. Voltz. Sixtylive members of the Turakina section were instructed by Cpl. V. Smith, National Military Reserve, and A.Q.M.S. Hunter. Saturday was a busy day, five country parades being held. The Ratana Maori Company had over 80 on parade on Sunday. February 2, Capt. T. Hiroti, M.C., being in command. This company is making excellent progress. On Monday night Okoia paraded their platoon, numbering 32. Lt. Orton (2nd N.Z.E.F.) agve the Home Guard an interesting talk. Capt. Roskilly is in command at Okoia. On Tuesday three platoons and one platoon from Kaiwhaiki were on parade at Makirikiri. Lt. Orton (2nd N.Z.E.F.) gave a lecture. Cpl. Hart, Home Guard, Cpl. Toop, Territorial Force, A.Q.M.S. Hunter and Cpl. W. Emu, National Military Reserve, attended the parade at Ratana on Tuesday. On Wednesday night Mr. W. H. Cannan, president Returned Soldiers’ Association, and A.Q.M.S. Hunter attended a Home Guard meeting at the Makahau School, Turakina Valley, a further 15 members being added to the Guard in that district. A committee consisting of Mr. C. Varley, chairman, Messrs. H. Stewart, W. Frank, P. Chapman, B. Grice and K. E. Reynolds was elected to look after the interests of the Home Guard in the district. Mr. H. Stewart is assisting with training, he having had military experience. The first parade followed the conclusion of the meeting. Parades of the Wanganui Home Guard Battalion are being well attended, but there is still room for men. In fact, there are now more instructors available and another 1000 could be trained. Elementary training is now disposed of in most companies and the Gonville Company on Tuesday night had rifle drill. There was a good parade at Castleclic. there being over 70 present. Sgl. J. Bogle was instructor. Wanganui East-Aramoho report good parades. Central companies on Wednesday evening did rifle drill and the parade was well attended. N.c.o. classes at the Drill Hall on Monday were attended by n.c.o.'s from Ratana. Maxwell, Wangaehu, Makirikiri and Turakina. Classes are to he arranged at Makirikiri for n.c.o.'s for those from Parikino, Okoia, Kakatahi, Makirikiri and Kaiwhaiki.

Training programmes and lectures are being arranged for next week