ACTIVITIES RESUMED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 60, 8 April 1946, Page 7

ACTIVITIES RESUMED

PEACETIME AIR TRAINING CORPS

SQUADRON 35 PARADES AGAIN

In accordance with the re-estab

lishment of the Air Training Corps which has been in voluntary recess throughout New Zealand for several months, Squadron 35 (Whakatane) is once again holding parades in its headquarters, the Strand. As was to be expected, with the cessation of hostilities, the A.T.C., which was organised on a wartime basis with a view to training young men for. entry into the R.N.Z.A.F., suffered a sever setback. Many of the members lost interest, and attendances at parades dropped sharply. Rather than endeavour to carry on under such conditions, many of the Squadrons throughout New Zealand (Squadron 35 included) went into voluntary recess. Now, the A.T.C. in New Zealand is once again on a sound footing as a Dominion-wide youth movement. The Whakatane Squadron commenced operations in earnest last week with a total of 27 members, mainly new recruits. This will doubtless grow, as the subjects, which cover a wide range of interesting material, and include extensive practical work, are attractive. Courses for training N.C.O.s and visits to Air Stations are being arranged; equipment is being ; obtained for instructional work, and all in all, future prospects for the Air Training Corps appear bright, indeed.

It is understood that the Squadron" has the Winter Show Hall for the second booking after the re-opening Of the building to public functions, when it will stage its annual dance.