HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 1 September 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

TRAINING AT HOOD aerodrome MU LS BOMB DEMONSTRATIONS & FIGHTING PATROLS. OUTDOOR RIFLE RANGE IN PROSPECT. A sunny morning made yesterday’s halfday parade of A, C and Headquarters companies of the Masterton Home Guard Battalion a particularly enjoyable and profitable one. After assembling at their respective drill halls the companies march to the Battalion Band to the Hood Aerodrome. A short service was then conducted by Major O. E. Ransom, of the Salvation Army. The morning’s work consisted of demonstrations of Mills bomb throwing and considerable expertness was shown by some of the men in this work. A Company also undertook field work with the posting of fighting patrols and training in messages, reports and communications generally. During the morning the rifle range coaches made an inspection of a proposed site for outdoor range practice, and it is hoped that this will be in operation for the next halfday parade, when there is no doubt that it will greatly add to the interest of the daylight parades. Indoor range practice has been in operation for the past two months. On Saturday the rifle coaches visited. the Wainuioru unit at Westmere, taking with them the range rifles, targets and other equipment. A most successful shoot Avas held. The local unit supplied afternoon tea and the whole operations were most enjoyable to all concerned. At the conclusion of the parade the men marched back to town and, before dismissal, notice was given that the attendance of every man enrolled in the companies was especially required at the church parade to be held next Sunday in response to his Majesty’s request for a national day of prayer. The Borough Council has kindly agreed to supply the Municipal Band for the march to the Park a*nd it is understood that allied units such as the E.P.S. and V.A.D.s will also be attending the open air service. To compensate for this extra parade, no Home Guard parade will be held on either of the two subsequent Sundays.

Frosts in Masterton. A frost of 10.3 degrees was registered in Masterton yesterday morning, and one of 10 degrees this morning. I ngleside. The Wairarapa Caledonian Society will hold an Ingleside in the Masonic Hall on Wednesday night. The music will be supplied by Barnes’s Orchestra. Vital Statistics. The following are the vital statistics for Masterton recorded last month, figures for August, 1940, being in parenthesis: —Births, 26 (30); deaths, 13 (14); marriages, 6 (10). Drivers’ Licences. The Masterton Borough Council issued 78 drivers’ licences last month, bringing the total issued to date for the current year to 2,086. The Masterton County Council issued 24 licences, making a total of 1126 to date. Doctor for Miners. Advice has been received by the Minister of Labour, Mr Webb, from the Minister of Health, Mr Nordmeyer, that arrangements have been made to provide a doctor’ in response to the demand by the Dobson and Wallsend miners. According to a Greymouth report, the miners had agreed to a "no doctor, no work” policy. Mr Nordmeyer has had the problem under consideration for some time. Motor Accident. An accident occurred at the intersection of Queen Street and Lincoln Road at 12.30 o’clock on Sunday morning when a car driven by Miss M. Welch, Mt. Bruce, and a cai’ driven by Mr John Ryan, Victoria Street, Masterton, met in collision. Miss Welch was driving north and Mr Ryan was travelling south. No one was injured. The cars were slightly damaged. Waste Paper Collection. The collection of waste paper in Masterton is proceeding smoothly and efficiently. Nine tons of paper have already been dealt with. Wrapping paper, such as newspaper, etc., to the value of £l6 has been sold locally and the balance of paper of othei’ kinds, amounting to 64 tons baled up for despatch to Wellington. This work has been carried out in five weeks and the committee is to be commended for its work. Benefit Dance. The benefit dance of the Druids’ Lodge for members overseas held in the Orange Hall, Masterton, on Saturday night was an outstanding success. There was a record attendance. Under the able direction of the M.C., Mr W. R. Pawson, proceedings went with a swing to music supplied by Messrs W. Ashworth and J. West. Extras were played by Miss Hawke and Mr H. Hood. A Monte Carlo waltz competition was won by Miss Joan McErlich and Mr Pickett. Supper was served by the ladies’ committee. Air Training Corps. “Within the next week or two, units of the Air Training Corps will be in active operation in the four main centres of New Zealand, and other units will be formed in the smaller centres as soon as possible,” said the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, last night. “The corps has two objectives,” Mr Jones said. “First, it will prepare lads for entry to the Air Force, and, secondly, it will provide useful instruction for those intending to take up a career in some branch of civil or commercial aviation. It will also help to develop character and initiative, and this, combined with the training in discipline given, will be of material value to every lad in no matter what occupation or profession he may later be engaged.” Mr Jones said that no actual flying training would be given the boys, and though possibly many of them would be a little disappointed, it was essential that they should complete the preliminary training given in the corps before any flying was attempted. The instruction would therefore be confined to ground subjects.