ON THE PLAINS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 28, 13 March 1942, Page 5

ON THE PLAINS

HOME GUARD INTERESTS

INFANTRY PARADES

Interest in the Home Guard work is keen in C Company on the Plains, the attendance at parades being consistently good. Travellers on the highways see evidence of some of the activities in Lhe shape of sandbags and trenches at various strategic points throughout the area. On Saturday last a particularly interesting performance was staged, when two Otakiri Platoons of paratroops defended and attacked the Edgecumbe Railway Station. A couple of hours of manoeuvring ensued in which the attackers were apparently captured by three Edgecumbe platoons. Conflicting views were expressed, but these were concerned more with the melons in the maize than who was, and who was not subjected to isolated fire in the drains. At any rate the attackers were subsequently escorted to Edgeeumbe's rendezvous at Bell's Hall. On Monday night a second gathering of the same clans took place again at Edgecumbe. Objects of local importance were investigated, raided and defended. The fact that the Otakiri Railway Station is scheduled as a meeting place for next Monday night indicates that the men are being given a third insight into the geography of their locality. On this occasion the stronghold of the Tarawera Bridge promises to be the scene of a further gory contest.