HOME GUARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 267, 5 February 1941, Page 5

HOME GUARD

ROLL STEADILY MOUNTING THIRTEEN COMPANIES FORMED Thirteen companies of the Home Guard have been formed with Whakatane as the centre, and reports indicate that training is progressing smoothly and enthusiastically. The training has created keen interest ■ since the syllabus has been arranged and officers equipped with the knowledge of the training to pass on to their respective companies. The roll is increasing each week and, according to the area comman- j ■tier in Whakatane, last week had reached on the most recent count a total nearing the 1000 mark. Groups have been formed at thirteen centres, these being as follows: Waimana (full company), Ruatoki (full company), Taneatua, Whakatane (two companies), Thornton, Edgecumbe, Awakeri, Otakiri, Te Teko (full company), Matata, Manawahe, (Jalatea and Te Whaiti. The enrolments in the Guard have been most pleasing, and since the first members were sworn in about two months ago the numbers have increased from 250 to near the thousand mark. It is again pleasing that in each area the work is being carried out in an excellent spirit and with every indication that the units will rapidly gain absolute efficiency. Last evening sergeants and corporals of the local Guard, and also some attached to country districts, paraded at the Winter Show Building for a further instruction and with the further knowledge gained will take their platoons for training on Thursday evening. On Friday evening the executive committee of the local Guard is to meet several important matters requiring settlement.