NATIONAL RESERVE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2441, 21 April 1915, Page 9

NATIONAL RESERVE

The Hataitai section of B Company, 2nd Regiftient, paraded 70 strong on Monday evening, and had nearly a couple of hours' good training. The company was divided into four sections, and under the supervision of the noncoms. went through various squad movements and riiie. exercises in the Hataitai streets. The usually quiet suburb was quite military for an hour or so with the sections doing their work at the street corners in the glare of the electric lights and the sharp words of command. In the gymnasium another section was being instructed in the mysteries of " flag-signalling, and the keen interest evinced by this section will soon bo apparent when the company are manoeuvring on the slopes of Mount Victoria with other units of the Reserve. After seotion drill the company formed up, and were addressed by Captain M'Leod (Adjutant) on Reserve matters, outlining some of the proposed work of the executive for the better working of the whole Reserve, and the fostering of enthusiasm in the good cause for which they all had como forward. A 6hort march up the hill terminated the evening's work, after the return to the gymnasium. B Company is showing the effects of the extra work put in, in squad drill, as the parade last evening clearly showed. Efforts are being made -to bring the strength up to 200 by June, when the first ceremonial parade will be held. At the conclusion of the parade of the Petone branch of the National Reserve, Messrs. Beale and Weston, delegates to the conference for the election of officers of the D Company, National Reserve (which embraces Upper and Lower Hutt, Taita and Petone), reported that the following officers had been elected-Major, Mr. Watson (Petone) ; captain, Mr. Clapham (Lowi>r Hutt). TTie following lieutenants were also elected Upper Hutt, Mr. A. M'Curdy; Taita. Mr. Reiclial; Pet-one, Mr. Anderson.

A Petone branch of the Railway Section of the National Reserve has been formed at the Railway Workshops. Mr. C. T. Burgh presided. Asked if he would accept nomination for the Harbour Board,. the _ Mayor of Lower Hutt (Mr. H. Baldwin). replied in the negative. Mr. Baldwin added that he had a. great many calls upon his time, and it would mean his giving up at least one office in order to contest tho Harbour Board election. As a member of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, he considered it would be unfair to those who_ had elected him if he refused nomination again, and the same argument'applied to other offices he held.