GOOD PROGRESS MADE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 47, 25 February 1941, Page 4

GOOD PROGRESS MADE

HOME GUARD TRAINING WANGANUI AND DISTRICT Home Guard training was continued in many centres at the week-end, and it was reported last night that good progress was being made in the Wanganui district. Members of the various units are taking a keen interest in the work. The Area Commander, Major R. O. Hardie, D. 5.0., had a busy week-end visiting parts of the coast and watching the companies at work. No. 1 Coy. (Capt. H. M. Keesing, M.C.), No. 3 Coy. (Mr. C. D. HayCampbell) and No. 5 Coy. (Mr. J. McL. Cleland) spent Sunday at the aerodrome on field training and mapping. The area covered extended right down to the south mole. The Engineers Company (Mr. E. A. Marchant) also trained near the aerodrome). They built an observation post and some trenches for the training and instruction of units of the Wanganui Battalion. Major J. W. Dow spent the day supervising the work. The Wanganui East-Aramoho Coy. (Mr. F. C. Jannings) held week-end parades in their area, training in field work and methods of bombing. This company is in need of more strength in the Aramoho section. One hundred men are required. The Gonville-Castleciiff Coy. (Mr. W H. Cannan) carried out field work ?nc coast defence practice. Units of the Western Battalion (Lt.-Col. W. S. McCrorie, E.D.) trained in their respective areas over the week-end. Kai Iwi and Maxwell Beaches were visited and a thorough survey of both places were made by units o' the Home Guard drawn from western districts. The signal sections of the Home Guard had an opportunity of doing some practical work and made good progress during the training. The transport organisation was good and worked without a hitch. An opportunity was afforded drivers for keeping station in reasonable length column to the various places where the Home Guard was training. Major G. E. Gardiner, D. 5.0., and Lieut. R. B. Davies, of Raetihi. attended training parades at Wanganui and had a conference with the Area Commander on Sunday. Good progress is being made in the Waimarino area and the sub-area comnjander reports a ready response. Enrolments are still coming in. On March 1 a ceremonial parade of the Home Guard will be held at the Waimarino Show. The Home Guard, jiea s ed by the Wanganui Highland Pipe Band, will lead the grand parade at the show. Major R. D. Hardie is attending the oar»de Men with rifles are asked to bring them to all parades until the Home Guard is issued with arms, which should be in the near future. The organisation of the Waimarino Battalion is well advanced. A mounted rifle unit, engineers’ coy. andl transport section is now being formed. l The strength at Raetihi is 150 and ! at Ohakune 120. The roll right through the area is good, but there is still room for more.

Recruiting at Wanganui is steady, but a greater volume of enrolments is required. The stage has been reached when an expansion could take place to include another battalion. Facilities for training new officers and n.co.’s w ill be available when the new premises are occupied next week and it is hoped to form the school of instruction first for a new battalion.