A.T.C. CADETS AT WIGRAM

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28490, 21 January 1958, Page 12

A.T.C. CADETS AT WIGRAM

Visit By Two Air League Members

Separated into four groups, 60 Air Training Corps cadets did mutual weapon training, drill, and rifle range instruction before two members of the district council and the Dominion executive of the Air League, Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Hume D. Christie, at the Royal New Zealand Air Force station, Wigram, yesterday afternoon.

The 60 boys, from areas west and north of Christchurch—Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika, Nelson, Blenheim, and Rangiora—entered camp last Friday. The purpose of their course is to train non-commissioned officers and potential non-commissioned officers. For this the “mutual” method of instruction, whereby the boys take turns in commanding one another, is being used to build up confidence. Stress is laid on drill, rifle instruction, and general weapon training, and fieldcraft and map reading are prominent.

-r Flight in • y One of the highlights of the week will be a familiarisation flight in a Devon aircraft. On Thursday the boys will be taken to the West Melton rifle range for fieldcraft exercises and firing practice with .303 rifles on the range. Visits wiU be made to the various Air Force sections at Wigram and also to two city factories. Another afternoon will be spent at sport

During their inspection of the cadets Sir Joseph Ward and Mr Christie stopped and spoke to many of the boys. They were accompanied by Squadron Leader R. L. Woodfield, officer commanding the Christchurch A.T.C. Squadron, who is in command of the camp, and his assistants. Flight Lieutenant J. G. Y. Beath (Westport) and Pilot Officer E. J. Dow (Dunedin).

“The A.T.C. in the old country was established by the Air League,” said Sir Joseph Ward. “There is a close association between the A.T.C. and the Air League there. The Air League in New Zealand will offer every possible assistance to the A.T.C.

“In Canada the Air League plays a big part in the A.T.C. and the same thing could happen here,” he said. “We are here to see something of the A.T.C. training to see what lines of assistance could be given.” The Air League and the aero clubs could help prepare the foundation of the future Air Force and civil aviation in New Zealand, said Mr Christie. The more encouragement given the greater the Air Force New Zealand would get.

“We have been very impressed with the type and the standard of the boys we have seen training here today,” said Mr Christie.