NATIONAL RESERVE.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 26, 1 April 1915, Page 2

NATIONAL RESERVE.

Pukekohe Branch Formed. ! A number of residents attended a meeting in the Masonic Hall last night with a view of forming a local branch of the National Reserve. Mr Hall Skelton, Auckland, was to have addressed the meeting, but did not arrive. The Mayor, Mr C. K. Lawrie, presided, and stated that branches of the National Reserve had been formed in all parts of New Zealand ard members were being enrolled for home defence purposes. Mr R. P. Webster stated that the intention was to tcim a body of men, to be called on in emergency, for anything that might arise, They felt safe as long as the German Navy was "bottled up, - ' but it might get cut and soma of the ships escape the watchful eye of the Biitsh Navy. The entrance fee charged in Auckland was 2s and it entitled a member to a reserve badge. It was an excellent idea to form a branch of the reserve in Pukekohe. It would encourage and keep up the ideal comradeship that existed among old volunteers. He could see a number of old vulunteers present and ne looked forward to them beiug banded together for service if required. The Government could not provide them with nfles, but they (the branch members) could me the ritlcs of the Territorials. H2 proposed lhat a branch of thn National Reserve shiuld be formed in Pukekohe.

Mr VV. Wright asked if the branch would hj; a mounted or infantry regiment.

Mr Webster said that m Auckland there \»aa both, ard from those he could ece in the audience he was of the ouinion that, both could be formed in Pukekohr.

Mr Roadie? said they could l please themselves in the matter. He Beconr'ed Mr Webster's proposal, and considered that they should ail put their shoulders to the wh:el in case of necessity. The prrposal was carried unacimou3ly. Tha following executive was then elected: —President, Mi C. K. Lavvrie; vice-president, Mr K. V, Webster; treasurer, Mr A, Grigcr; secretary, Mr (,'. Roadley; committee, Messrs W. Hawke, VV. A. Willis, H. RnllinsoD, F. Jackson, K. McGough, W. M. Reynolds, 1!. Chambers.

The Major said that he presumed that every person in the hall would join the branch and asked for a show ot hands, which produced a unanimous assent,

Enrolment forms were filled in by the following:—Messrs C. K. Lawrie, C. Koadley, J. R. Mcßae, Chambers, Rollinson, T. Shipherd, Fischer, W. Wright, F. JackEjn, Jos. Hunter, A. H. Tillett, W. Dunsbar, W. Hawke, J. Hooey, W. Bowden, C. F. Shipherd, F. Ashurst, J. Bellhouse, T. G. Usher, M. Mclntrye, W. A. Willis, W. M. Reynolds, J. J. Reycold?, M. Routley, K. McGough, F. Martin, F. Bilkey, il. W. King and R. F. Webster. •

The eubscription was fixed at 2s. The Mayor said it was very pleasing to sae the excellent results of the meeting. He anticipated that the membership of the branch, in a few days, would ba 100, He hoped that members would bring intending members along to join. Mr HallSkeltoa had said that the District SergU-Majir would be pleased to drill members. He thought it would be well for the committee to arrange matters with the Sergt.Major. Thursday evening was selected for drill night and the first drill was fixed to be held at 7.30 p.m. on Thursday next, in Messrs Buckland's horse bazaar, if arrangements for th? use of that building can be made in the meantime.

It was decided that intending members should enroi either at Mr Lawrie's office or Mr Koadley's. A meeting of the executive was then held and it was dtcided to write to Mr Hail Skelton for particulars ot procedure and to invite him to the first drill. Messrs Jackson and Chambers were appointed to wait on Sergt.Major Biiilgford and make airangements, if possible, for him to assist in the instruction of members.