PROSPECTIVE PILOTS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 82, 18 June 1943, Page 5

PROSPECTIVE PILOTS

LOCAL A.T.C. FORMED

SQUADRON LEADER'S VISIT

Despite the inclemency ol' the weather quite a large number of prospective members and their parents turned up at the King Street Hall oil Wednesday night when Squaditm Leader Fowler outlined the scheme of training which hoys ay ho joined the local branch of the Air Training Corps. Squadron Leader Fowler said the A.T.C. trained a boy on many points. He said, that the air l'oree was a lighting force; "with a tradition behind it and that the A.T.C. being part of. that force must uphold the tradition at all costs. He. als'o pointed out how the A.T.C. not only raised the educational standard of a boy but also gave him an ireside A'iew into military life generally.

Squadron Leader Fowler dwelt on the military, educational and physical training the boys received, lectures on First Aid, Anti-Gas, Signals, Rifle Drill, etc. A popular extension to the training scheme is the addition of half an hours flying per year for every boy, and it had been arranged that each cadet will fire 75 rounds of rifle ammunition per year. After Squadron Leader Fowler had finished speaking to the boys, a selection committee composed of Mr Hubbard,, Mr F. M. Abbott and Adjutant Devonport who accompanied Squadron Leader Fowler ay as set up for the purpose of interviewing, priA'ately those boys Avho had enlisted in the Corps and whiie this was in progress an opportunity ay as given to* parents to talk with Squadron Leader Fowler. As a result of the meeting it. Avas indicated that a squadron would be formed and, Mr F. M. Abbott AYaii appointed local Flight Commander. Parades ayc re fixed for Tuesdays and Thursdays and it is hoped to have, the uniforms here in a month's time. There are now 31 boys aylio luu'e enlisted in the Whakatane Squadron, 21 of 'whom were interviewed and successfully passed the. selection board on Wednesday night. Mr Hubbard AYas appointed Educational Instructor to the Squadron, Mr Jones Physical Instructor, The great aim of the course is to enable a boy to pass the R.N.Z.A.I<\ entrance examination before he is 18 years of age. At the close Squadron Leader FoAvler said that he hoped move country boys Avould soon join the corps as special provision in the way of petrol and travelling allowances have been made for them. Any further enlistment cards Avhich have been completely filled in are to be handed in to Mr F. M. Abbott, CiA r ic Buildings, us soon as possible. Squadron Leader Fowler expressed himself as particularly pleased with the type of boy coming forward. to join the corps which he said he hoped AYould be built up to a. permanentstrength of 35. The boj s he stated, seemed keen and efficient and he hoped, they would giow into a smart little squadron.