FOUR COMPANIES

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21200, 24 August 1940, Page 9

FOUR COMPANIES

SKILLED ENGINEERS WORK WITH TERRITORIALS PAID SPARE-TIME TRAINING (By Telerrapfc.—Press Association) WELLINGTON, Friday The Government has decided to form four composite works companies of engineers for service with the Territorial Force should the necessity arise, according to an announcement by the Minister of Defence, the Hon. F. Jones, today. Mr Jones said that each company, one of which would be formed in each of the northern and southern and two in the central district, would consist of headquarters, a tunnelling and demolition section, a bridging lection, a general construction section and an excavation section, and would have a total strength of seven officers and 268 other ranks. Companies would be formed from married men between the ages of 21 and 45 years, and single men between the ages of 46 and 55 years. Skilled Personnel These units would be composed almost entirely of skilled personnel, and their formation would be by the Army authorities in each military district in co-operation with engineering, surveying and architectural interests. The training to be carried out was under consideration, but it was not expected at present that camp attendance would be necessary, or that training would interfere with civil employment. Pay for training would be at the same rates as for Class II of the National Military Reserve.