H.— 22b

One of the principal reasons for instituting these classes and limiting them to persons engaged in particular classes of work was that the persons so trained would, in turn, train their fellow-officers, so that a knowledge of anti-gas training and air-raid-precautionary measures would be disseminated amongst those who, in time of an emergency consequent upon an air raid, would most require to have this type of knowledge. livening classes were held as well as three or four half-day instructional periods. The Military District Headquarters at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchureh (l)unedin being administered from Christchurch) each made arrangements in connection with the establishment of these anti-gas training classes in their particular district. To make it possible for these classes to be established, the co-operation of local authorities was essential. I accordingly communicated with the. local authorities in the urban areas of Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and Dunedin, and I wish to place on record that all local authorities approached by me whole-heartedly co-operated with the Government in the institution of these classes. The following return indicates the results achieved : — (1) Total number of persons who have received or are receiving instruction in air-raid precautions:— Northern Military District (Auckland and urban areas) 62 Central Military District (Wellington) . . .. 26 Southern Military District (Christchurch and Dunedin) 199 Total . . . . .. .. .. 287 (2) The occupations of the persons trained or being trained (Police, municipal staff, &c) :— Northern Military District-— Metropolitan Police .. .. . . . . 6 City Corporation staff .. . . , . . . 6 Metropolitan Fire Board . . .. . . 4 St. John Ambulance Association .. . . . . 4 Harbour Board staff .. . . . . . . 6 Local-authorities staffs .. . . . . 34 Legion of Frontiersmen .. . . .. . . 2 62 Central Military District— Metropolitan Police .. . . . . .. 4 City Corporation staff .. . . . . .. 5 Wellington Fire Board . . . . . . . . 4 St. John Ambulance .. .. .. . . 4 Harbour Board staff .. . . . . . . 4 Hospital Board staff .. .. . . . . 5 26 Southern Military District— Police .. .. . . .. 93 Traffic Inspectors .. .. . . .. 3 Firemen .. .. . . . . 45 Health Inspectors .. . . . . . . 1 Harbour Board personnel . . . . . . 7 Drainage Board .. . . . . . 1 Hospital Board .. . . . . .. 3 Municipal staff . . . . .. . . . . 11 St. John Ambulance .. .. . . 13 Red Cross .. .. .. .. .. 2 Legion of Frontiersmen .. .. . . . . 9 Territorials .. .. .. .. 11 199 Total . . .. .. 287 Suitable suggestions have been made to the local authorities outside the four main centres as to the best means of obtaining necessary instruction for their officers. The course of instruction to be given to the classes instituted by local authorities has been prepared in collaboration with the Army Department so that there will be uniformity of instruction throughout the Dominion. These instructions may be obtained from the Department of Internal Affairs.

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