GOOD RESPONSE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19985, 10 July 1939, Page 14

GOOD RESPONSE

TROOP IN WAIROA E.C. MOUNTED RIFLES ENTHUSIASM DISPLAYED (Special to the Herald.) WAIROA. this day. The proposal 'to form a troop of the East Coast Mounted Rifles in Wairoa has 'been greeted with enthusiasm and there is every' possibility that the troop will he formed almost immediately. For the purpose of discussing the proposal a meeting, called by the Mayor of Wairoa, Mr. H. L. Harker, and the chairman of’ the Wairoa County Council, Mr. A. T. Carroll, was held in the Borough Council chambers, Lieutenant R. H. Perrett, adjutant, East Coast Mounted Rifles, Gisborne, being in attendance and explaining the proposal. There was an excellent attendance, the chambers being packed.

Among those present were many young men, all of whom expressed their desire to join up. It was stated th'at there was a large number of others in the district who were also anxious 'to become members of the troop, but who were unable to be present at the meeting. In introducing the speaker, the Mayor, who presided, stated that there was a possibility of forming a Maori battalion in the district if there were sufficient recruits. Major J. O. Scott apologised for the absence of Major Clifton, of the New Zealand Permanent Staff, who was to have been present but who had found it impossible to come to Wairoa for the meeting.

Details Explained

Lieutenant Perrett said he w'as mainly concerned with the formation of a troo-p of the East Coast Mounted Rifles in the district. Under the reorganisation scheme there were to be troops in Gisborne, Tolaga Bay and Wairoa. In the past Wairoa had a good reputation for supplying men of the right calibre. Thirty-five men were required between the ages cf 18 and 22. They must bo fit, able to supply their own mounts, and also to be in a position to attend camp for 10 day's. The amount of training required was 14 days in the year, 10 of which would be in camp and the remainder in out-of-camp training such as week-end bivou'acs. The annual training camp was held between the middle of April and the middle of May, this 'being con-’ sidered the most suitable time of the year for the men to get away. Dealing with the rates of pay. Lieutenant Perrett s'aid it amounted to 7s a day for a trooper while in camp, plus camp allowance, making a total of 12s a day. The maximum number of days on which a trooper could earn pay was 20 days. Uniforms, rifles and boots would be supplied, ar.d for camp the men would have to supply a good weight-carrying hack. ■He stressed the fact that the service was for 'home defence only, and if it were required to send a force oveiseas there would be a different calling altogether. Ruatoria Wanted a Troop

Lieutenant ‘Perrett added that Ruatoria was anxious to have a troop, and if it were not possible to form one in Wairoa, the'troop would be transferred there. There were four recruits courses a trooper could attend at Prentham between now and the end of the year. He explained that if a troop were formed in Wairoa it would comprise one light machine gun section and three cavalry sections. * The Mayor stated that the Defence League had agreed to provide horses for those who desired to join up but who did not possess mounts. If more men than were required joined up. Lieutenant Perrett said, he would endeavour to train them. It the international situation became worse, the training would ‘be intensified. At the end of the meeting most of those present who were eligible to become members of the troop joined up. '