HOME GUARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 October 1941, Page 4

HOME GUARD

HIGHLIGHTS OF SUMMER TRAINING PARADE THIS EVENINGMARCH THROUGH QUEEN STREET. Both old and new members of the Home Guard are • naturally keenly interested in news of the training being arranged for the coming summer, knowing that this is the ideal time for training in the field. The following outline of some of the training now being arranged is, of course, tentative only, and suoject to alteration. To mention only one point, it is not known yet just how far the new army control will affect training schedules. One manoeuvre which the battalion is particularly desirous of carrying out is a weekend bivouac on the coast at Castlepoint or thereabouts. This will be an undertaking of some magnitude and considerable co-operation and assistance will be required in connection with transport, accommodation and other matters. However, it is felt that the battalion should so far as possible familiarise itself in its training with the ground on which it would probably be required if the emergency arises. If it can be arranged, therefore, these manoeuvres will be put through and will probably be the piece de resistance of the summer training schedule. The coast line is the obvious locality at which the Home Guard should work when possible. Indeed those who appear to imagine that the Home Guard’s job is chiefly comprised in the' right turn, left turn, of the barrack square, would no doubt be astonished to learn just what has already been done and the labour already expended in certain quarters.' Another major development which is contemplated is the substitution of full day parades each fourth Sunday for the present half-day parades each fortnight. This should enable more ambitious plans to be carried out and allow the men to proceed further afield. For instance, it is hoped to arrange a field day .on the property of Mr P. H. Nathan, at “Eringa,” Longbush, and other properties will also no doubt be available for similar work. The full day parade will also bo very Suitable for training on the Rifle Club’s range at Upper Plain, which has been placed at the disposal of the battalion. Men in the Home Guard, after winter work on the miniature range, are now most eager for a full scale shoot on the service range. • It will be seen that the summer’s instruction should not lack in interest. This outline gives only a few of the highlights. There will be plenty of routine work as well. TONIGHT’S PARADE. In connection with the recruiting week, a route march of the battalion will be held through the streets of the town during the parade this evening. The column will be headed by the Pipe Band and will pass through Queen Street at about 7.45 o’clock. . New recruits are being enrolled at the Municipal Hall this evening at 7 o’clock.