CALL TO COLOURS

Evening Star, Issue 23373, 16 September 1939, Page 12

CALL TO COLOURS

SPECIAL MILITARY FORGE NO SLACKENING IN ENLISTMENTS GRATIFYING RESPONSE FROM COUNTRY RECRUITS There has been no abatement in the applications for inclusion in the special New Zealand military force for service overseas or at home. Throughout yesterday and this morning, when 75 more recruits enlisted, the staff at the Drill Hall was kept busy. The total now from the Otago district is 506, and one of the most commendable aspects about the applications is the number of country men who have offered their services. The officer in charge of the registrations (Captain E. H. Cleland) said to-day that these coiintry applicants should not omit to state the year of their birth, as is required by the form. Several have failed to supply this very necessary particular, and confusion and delay have resulted. The medical board, which conducted sittings yesterday afternoon and evening, continued it's duties this afternoon to consider the suitability of those who have volunteered. Medical boards are also sitting in country districts, and it is hoped that the authorities will soon be able to announce just, how many men will be available for inclusion in the force. Yesterday’s registrations were as follows, grouped in No. 1 group (officers on the reserve or active list). Group No. 1A (retired or ex-officers). Group No. 2 (single men), Group No. 3 (married men without children), and Group No. 4 (married men with children) : DUNEDIN. —Group I. Colonel Gordon Ross Mitchell. Lieutenant John Robert Hertslet Fulton. Lieutenant Cyril Wilhelm Butterfield. —Group 2. , Arthur Walter Armishaw, Cameron James Armishaw. James Henry Brown. Alister dearie (Galloway), Eric George Carter. James Froude (Oturehua), Lawrence Fren’ch, Edward Flawo. Victor Frederick George Hay, Graham H. Hardie, Arthur James Haydon (Cromwell). Walter James Johnson. John M'Gowan Kirby (Mosgiel). lan Walter Stanley Loach, George Leonard Lawrence. James Andrew Matheson, John Barclay Manson, Frederick Turnbull Mason, William David M'Cutcheon. James Nesson (Alexandra). Philip Anthony O’Reilly (Palmerston). ' , William David Parker (Wellington). George Cyril Smith (Tarras), Noel John Smith (Tarras), Joseph James Scardno, Gordon Stewart. Alexander George Taylor, John Thomson. • Robert Dawson Wink (Nasehy), William Davenport Warren (Cromwell). —Group 3. Alexander Francis John Dougherty (Alexandra). Fred Owens Geering. John Frederick Rutherford Howie. —Grtfup 4. Allan Edward Marcus Agnew. Edward Joseph Comer. Robert William Edwards. Edwin George Hobcraft (Purakanui). 'Robert William Paul, George William Perks, Stanislaus Edward Paterson. . Andrew Robertson Howie Stephen. Thomas Charles Yates. OAMARU. —Group 2. Ivan Ernest Allcock. John William Gilchrist. Dennis Thomas Marren. NORTHERN DISTRICT [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 15. The recruiting rate at the Drill Hall has slackened considerably since the first day, and only 49 young men offered their services to-day for the Dominion’s special military force. The Northern Military District enrolments totalled 189, bringing the aggregate for the metropolitan and country areas up. to 4,000. Of to-day’s enlistments, Hamilton contributed 73, Paeroa 53, and Whangarei 63. The medical examinations are proceeding slowly and thoroughly. Altogether 506 recruits have appeared before the doctors and 299 have been passed as fit, 177 as temporarily unfit, and 30 as permanently unfit. WELLINGTON, September 15. By 9 o’clock to-night the total recruiting in Wellington was close to the 1,500 mark, including 61 officers* CHRISTCHURCH CHRISTCHURCH, September 15'. An improvement in the recruiting was shown in Christchurch to-day, an enlistment of 91 men bringing the total for the city since Tuesday morning to 759. One‘of today’s recruits is the father of nine children. Another is 6ft 6in tall and takes size 15 in boots. CHRISTCHURCH TOTAL 850 ONLY 5 PER CENT. REJECTIONS [Per USited Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, September 16. Of 317 recruits examined in Christchurch yesterday only 16 were classed as unfit A grade men numbered 192 and temporarily unfit 109, making the rejections approximately 5 per cent. There was a sudden rush of recruits this morning, and the Christchurch total is now 850.