RECRUITING FOR NAVY

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26560, 24 October 1951, Page 9

RECRUITING FOR NAVY

SITTING OF BOARD IN CHRISTCHURCH

“The standard of education of the applicants interviewed to-day has been exceptionally good, and in fact, one boy, lan Reese williams, of Sumner, a pupil of Christchurch Boys’ High School, recorded M per cent, in his examination, which is the highest percentage on this campaign and one of the highest in recent years” said Commander C. C. Stevens, chairman of the Royal New Zealand Naval Recruiting Board, commenting yesterday on the results of recruiting in Christchurch. The board held a one-day sitting in Christchurch yesterday, when 22 youths seeking service in the Navy were interviewed.

Commander Stevens said that, although the educational standard was high in Christchurch, the number of applicants was not In Hastings, 18 applicants were interviewed and, comparing the size of the towns, he considered Christchurch should have produced 35 or 40 recruits. Several of the youths who applied for service failed in their medical examinations. The others will be notified soon whether their applications have been approved. Three applicants for admission to the. Women's Royal New Zealand Navab Service were also interviewed yesterday by Third Officer M. Morten, of Christchurch, and Leading Wren M. Prendergast, of Ashburton. The women's service operates differently from the ordinary Navy, in that it accepts applicants only as vacancies in the service occur. The initial term of engagement for members of the W.R.N.Z.N.S. is two years. Entrants may be re-engaged for further terms of two years, or until they reach the age of 45. A member can be released from the service before her engagement expires if she wishes to marry, or if she offers any other satisfactory reason for her discharge. The main duties undertaken by members of the women’s branch of the service include work as clerks, typists, cooks, transport drivers, stewards, and chart correctors, and various medical duties.