WHAKATANE CHIDED
OPOTIKI "NEWS'? IN ARMS "PINCHING" THE DRILL HALL A recent issue of the Opotiki News features a paragraph from the BEACON which, as the News said, "ap_ peared to show Opotiki v up in a bad light.The paragraph was in reference to recruiting and it mentioned that a drill hall was badly needed here, and that Whakatanc had soldiers but no drill hall, and Opotiki had a drill hall but no soldiers. The News points out that Opotiki is one of the few places in New Zealand which has kept its unit up to strength and that at times there has been a waiting list, without need for any special appeal such as Whakatane recently has had. The Opotiki unit has also carried off most of the special awards at the camps. Attendance of infantry at a recent camp included 19 men from Opotiki and only five from Whakatanc —this being about the usual proportion from the two districts. Opotiki has usually occupied either first or sec_ ond place for attendance j excluding Auckland and Hamilton areas. 'The Opotiki strength is, according to the latest published figures, about onethird that of Gisborne. After hurling these facts and figures back at Whakatane, and paying a tribute to th e Opotiki officers for their efficiency, the News concludes, with the cutting, remark: "Opotiki congratulates Whakatanc on its be. lated spurt, which it is hoped will be maintained. Opotiki can take con solation in, the fact that Whakatane is apparently making no effort, to "pinch" the Opotiki drill hall, as it is about the only thing in Opotiki Whakatane has not had a "shot'' at. The BEACON docs, not wish to descend to a similar exhibition of parochialism. It congratulates Opotiki on the undoubted efficiency of the Ter_ ritorial movement there, and it hopes that the Whakatane men will be spurred by friendly rivalry to surpass Opotiki. Incidentally, the offi-< cer who made the remark about Wha katane's need for a drill hall is not connected with a,ny unit in this part of the Bay of Plenty.
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https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/BPB19390517.2.21
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Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 12, 17 May 1939, Page 5
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346WHAKATANE CHIDED Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 12, 17 May 1939, Page 5
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