R.N.Z.A.F. BOY ENTRANTS

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28920, 13 June 1959, Page 15

R.N.Z.A.F. BOY ENTRANTS

“Adult” Policy At Wigram School

Boy entrants from Woodbourne who will start trade training at Wigram next week will be treated by the Air Force as adult airmen in many respects. The treatment is a departure from previous practice, and one of its results will be that fewer restrictions will be placed on the youths, whose average age is about 17. Under the latest policy the boy entrants will no longer be separated from adult airmen, and earlier restrictions on dress and leave will be lifted. Their pay will also go up slightly.

Entrants will still have to adhere to rules laid down by the No. 2 Technical Trade Training School, which will be their home for most of the rest of the year. One is a ban on liquor consumption.

“It is expected that their new status will give them an added sense of responsibility,” an Air Force spokesman said. Of the 90 youths* who graduated from Woodbourne yesterday 45 are posted to Wigram for instrument, electrical, and radio courses lasting from 36 to 46 weeks. Entrants used to spend only 12 months at Woodbourne before coming to Wigram but the latest group has been there for 18 months. The extra time has been occupied with basic engineering training, a subject formerly undertaken at Wigram. One of the youths coming to Wigram is Flight Sergeant J. SFountain, of Christchurch, who commanded yesterday’s graduation parade at Woodbourne. He is reported to be an outstanding entrant who has been posted for pilot training. Forty-five Woodbourne entrants will be going to Hobsonville for airframe and engine technical training.

The last course under the ‘/boys are boys” policy ended in December. 1958.