EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 February 1941, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

THE HOME GUARD .. EKETAHUNA COUNTY SURVEY. ("Times-Ace” Special.) A preliminary survey' of the county iias been completed in connection with the Home Guard organisation and the various units are entering upon the initial stages of training. The movement. which has an empire-wide effectiveness, Ims been inaugurated in the county and borough by a joint committee of the Emergency Precautions Scheme with other representatives of the Government departments concerned ; nd the local R.S.A. The chairman of the County Council. Mr. J. B. Carruthers, and Messrs. A. E. Fordyce, local area commander of the Home Guard, and N. Richardson, County Clerk, have attended at ten centres for the purpose of explaining the scope and organisation of the Home Guard, and have subsequently supervised the enrolments. In each locality interest has been active and sustained and the response to the invitation to enrol has been almost unanimous. Approximately 99 per cent of those present at meetings have joined. Tile following figures indicate the approximate position in the various centres to date: Tiraumea. 22; Hamua. 21; Alfredton, 50; Hukanui, 58; Eketahuna, 58; Nireaha, 43; Rongomai, 40; Ronkokokako, 17; Newman. 24; Kaiparoro, 23.

Al each centre recommendations have been made regarding local commanders and leaders and days for parades.

In Eketahuna. the platoons have assembled at the Primary School for preliminary drill. The first parade of 58 was keen and enthusiastic. The movement, which is military in its organisation and training, is bound to develop and it is anticipated that approximately a battalion of rille companies will be raised. Training will be carried out mainly in the different platoon centres, after which endeavours will be made to concentrate these units for company training and possibly battalion drilly.

A very pleasing feature of the preliminary survey is the keenness of the soldiers of the last war to serve again and thus form the backbone of what is a truly citizen army. The representatives of younger generations are also coming forward readily to undertake their duty in defence of their country, so that the future of the movement in the Eketahuna County is both bright and promising. At a parade of officers and section leaders al the primary school, Eketahuna, on Tuesday next, al 7.30 pm,, the principal business will be the standardising of drill and programmes. WOxMEN’S INSTITUTE | MONTHLY MEETING. Mis I). Fraser presided at the monthly meeting of the Eketahuna Women's Institute on Thursday. The gatheritig opejied with the singing of the National Anthem, followed by the prayer for peace and the ode. A letter of appreciation for a gift parcel sent by the Institute was received from a soldier in Egypt, Nominations were taken for the committee for tlte ensuing year, and Mrs. Fraser was returned unopposed as president. Mesdames Fraser and C. E. Albrecht- j son were appomu-d delegates to attend i the annual counc.'l meeting to be held : at Pehiatua in Apr:!. 1: was agreed that a school for ollie-' ers be held in Eketahuna at a later A letter of sympathy is to be sent 10 Mr,- T )>'-.»'v ~.k U . I •)*' 1 •• atiS. w l)<> is in hospital A vcr\ mt etc.-’.mg ijstratii •:> of* mil) b apprt ciaU d bv membeis The Institute’s am u..l fUw.-r show! -''■*l' be livid m iht- Amtlm.ii; S.-huol-room cii .March 13. i: .mnotmeed by the pt .-suii nt i !":■ ’.ln- L-.-rd Radt-n-P-well at the Rest Room grounds A handsome silver cup was on v I( -w.| L'a>ph\ had bi-.--- bv H lime- 1 ihtw 1 have kmuted u’Lm i-.mpvtiu..;, m‘the j . There were nineteen entries the I 'nan's butmnhole t - .nipefit.-m The I ” ili::i t■■ Mi F: .-.•.er ,aai ; Sunp i :>■ i'(|iial. with Mr- Albia-i-ht-i ‘(■<,nri ,inti Mrs Jewett third ■ ■“ .. ■ ' <-d '.vith 'iie -a'stg