HOME GUARD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 3, Issue 268, 7 February 1941, Page 5

HOME GUARD

LAST NIGHT'S PARADE

FU RTHER PROG RESS

Squad drill and short inarches formed the programme foil last evening Home Guard training, there being :i large attendance of members present. A number of new members were enrolled and detailed to the various units.

Tlic men arc vapidly becoming efficient in the elementary drill which is eonsideied necessary before any specialist training is undertaken. Apart from giving the men a sense of discipline and some physical training the squad drill is neccssarv as a body of men could not be moved from place, to place, even short distances, or controlled in the manner required for minimum waste time and maximum efficiency unless they are taught to follow orderly methods.

The evening being fine the parade was held out of doors, most of the units parading at the Domain, while others and new recruits were at the Winter Show Buildings.

THORNTON ACTIVITIES NINETY MEN REGISTERED It speaks well for a district such as Thornton to muster no les? than 90 men for the local Home Guard with the possibility of more in the oiling. At last night's parade there was a definite note of enthusiasm and interest and not a few humorous incidents went to highten the enjoyment of the event.

Perhaps one ol the most trite occurred when tlie unit was using the roadway as a parade ground in view of the limited accommodation provided iDty the hall. The lights of an approaching ear made some of the front rankers uneasy but the Sergeant appeared to be engrossed in his work and quite oblivious to the approaching danger. At last one of them ventured in. a stage whisper "There's a car approaching Sarge." Like a shot came the answer: "Well you belter b——well scatter." The advice was acted upon with alacrity and the next few seconds disclosed staid Guardsmen of all ages diving like rabbits for the scrub.