NEW ZEALANDERS IN AIR FORCE.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20101, 3 December 1930, Page 8

NEW ZEALANDERS IN AIR FORCE.

PROMINENT OFFICERS. AVIATION AND FOOTBALL. [THE I'EESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, December 2. "There lire a number of New Zealanders in the Royal Air Force at present, and most of them .'ire doing exceptionally well," said Jlr G. W. M. Easton, who returned to Auckland by the Mnrama.

Mr Easton, whose home 13 in Tarnnaki, obtained a commission in tho Air Force immediately after Jiis arrival in England about two years ago; but after 18 months' service, ho had to relinquish his commission as a result of a serious crash whilo ho was flying a llristol Fighter at Holton-Ie-Moor, Lincolnshire. Ho was in hospital for over seven months, and has now been invalided out on pension.

Flying-Officer Binley, of WellingLon, was one New Zcalander who was making excellent progress in England, Mr Easton said. Other prominent officers from New Zealand were Flying-Officer A. Mathias. cf Auekland, a former Auckland Rugby representative, who was playing good football as well its making a name for himself in the Air Force; Pilot-Officer Williams, of Wellington, who was in the Air Force Rugby fifteen, and who hod ben ten Flight-Lieutenant G. It. Beam .'mi in the final of the Air Force heavyweight boxing championship; PilotOfficer Grant, of Auckland; and. PilotOfficer Allen, of Wangunui. Kuah of Applications. "The prospects for New Zealandcrs wishing to obtain Air Force commissions are not very yood at present," Mir. Easton said. "The Air Ministry has been rushed with applications, and there is a long list. The standard of physical fitness has been raised, and it is of little use for anyone to go to England 'on spec,' as many did a few years ago."