H. G. NOTES

Evening Star, Issue 24328, 17 October 1942, Page 3

H. G. NOTES

Ay 1958

Courses of Instruction. The local course of instruction at St. Hilda concluded last week-end. Officers and n.c.o.s who took part were enthusiastic about the subject matter and presentation of the instruction. It is anticipated that there will be difficulty in accommodating all officers for the next course. A similar course lias commenced at the Oamaru Show Grounds, ami another for group lib will follow next month at Alexandra. To avoid running (lie next Dunedin course into December, it is hoped to arrange it for the same time as the one at Alexandra.

Nominations for courses at. the Southern District School of Instruction have been insufficient of late to fill the allocations. Seasonal . work, calling up of more man power, and local courses are all partly accountable,, hut unit commanders are urged to do their best to secure nominations. Some Guardsmen may feel a little diffident about their capacity to pass on information gained at a course. The course itself will ,do a great deal to give the confidence required. Mortar and field works courses start to-day, and four short courses on the 2in mortar, map and compass, rifle and grenade, and A.T. mines are being held over the Labour Day weekend.

Flax Handling Tip. A country reader of this column—not a Home Guardsman—was interested in the paragraph in last week’s notes referring to the making of a flax camouflage net by members of No. 30 Lines of Communication Company. He has had many years' experience in the handling of raw flax, and lie has forwarded a suggestion which, if earried out, will, ho claims, make the handling of flax quite a simple matter, and will facilitate the making of further nets. He stales that if, before use, the strands of flax arc drawn slowly once through an open flame, they will be rendered much more pliable, resulting in the knotting becoming very much easier. The flame treatment will not adversely affect the flax, although the dark green colour may become lighter. Cargill Battalion. A Company.—A full day’s tactical exercise will be held to-morrow. The company will parade at Bunting’s Store, Wakari, at 0900 hours with full dress and mess gear. C Company.—A full-day company parade will be held to-morrow. Men will parade at the north end of the railway station at 0820 hours with all equipment issued, including pack and haversack. Two meals will he provided, and the usual mess gear will be carried. Buses will leave the Norinanby terminus at 0800 hours for the station via King street. All rifles issued for this parade must be returned to store on Tuesday next, and any men who are unable to parade then must make arrangements to have their rifles returned.

Reserve (Vital Point Guard) Platoon.—A well-attended parade of this unit. last Sunday carried out exercises on a new hill sector, where instruction and practice in “ indication of targets ” were put into operation. Important reference points were pointed out and plotted. Various aids on the same exercise were also demonstrated.

The platoon then removed to the outdoor parade ground, when further instruction in bayonet drill, line marching, and wheels terminated the day’s work. Flagstaff Battalion. A, B, C, D, and reserve companies will spend a full day on the sector on Sunday. A and C Companies will parade at 0900 hours at their headquarters; B and D at 0830 hours at their headquarters; and Reserve at 0900 hours at the Garrison Hall. Dress for all troops: Full marching order, greatcoats, and mess gear. The battalion n.c.o. class which is being conducted each Tuesday evening under the E.S.M. is proving most beneficial and instructive. The course is a comprehensive one, and is being enjoyed by all. Country Units. The Middlemarch Company of the Taieri Battalion was issued with battledress last week-end.

One of the largest gatherings seen in the district for a long time attended a dance and euchre tournament, arranged on behalf of company funds by D Company, Roxburgh Home Guard, recently. The battalion commander, Major L. IL Deniiislon, and several other officers were present. To Correspondent.

“ Curious.” —Publicity will be given to the matter as soon as it is considered advisable to do so, and that may not be long. The information will be published on the day it is released. Your remarks on this column are appreciated. Lines of Communication.

No. 29 Company held a full-day parade at Logan Park last Sunday, and carried out shooting on the long rifle range. A talk was given on this from the markers’ point of view- by Corporal Jackways at the n.c.o. class on Monday evening, when an interesting address was also given by Captain W. D. Allan, of No. 30 Company, on the organisation of R.M.T. and the necessity for personnel being interchangeable with the A.S.C. Sixty volunteers are required for transport duty of Home Guard units on the Saturday and Monday of Labour Day week-end, particulars of which may be obtained from Sergeant C. D. Gunn. The next parade of the company will be at Logan Park on Sunday, October 25, at 0900 hours, when opportunity will be given to men to complete their shoot on the range. No. 30 Company paraded at the Drill Hall on Wednesday at 1930 hours, when instruction was given in the use of the rifle. There will be a full-day parade to-morrow- at Logan Park at 0830 hours, when shooting on the long range w-ill be carried out. The usual mess gear is to be brought. The n.c.o. class will assemble as usual on Monday at Mr Gunn’s warehouse at 1930 hours.

Week-end Camp. Burns Battalion will go into camp from Saturday, October 24, (ill Monday, October 26, for training. Companies will "parade at their regular parade grounds on Saturday— A and B Companies at 1400 hours and C Companv at 1445 hours. Guardsmen will parade "in full marching order, and will carry mess gear, boot and shaving gear, and blankets.