Among Trees

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31480, 21 September 1967, Page 9

Among Trees

Forestry, in New Zealand has a big future because not only will other countries need New Zealand timber but we, ourselves, use more sawn timber than any other people. World figures show that we' use 278 bd ft annually per head; next comes Canada with 204 ft and Norway with 201. Just on 4000 staff are needed to tend existing State forests and as that area is to be trebled in the next 60 years we must have large numbers of young' staff appointed each year. The Forest Service has the following positions to offer to school leavers: Forester Trainees: Must hold University Entrance with Science subjects. These trainees will be sponsored for B.Sc. study, followed by post-graduate courses either in New Zealand or overseas, leading to a career as a professional forester. Ranger Trainees: Must have at least School Certificate. These boys undertake a four-year training programme. This includes some time at our Ranger School where they are taught not only the practical skills of forestry but also the background knowledge designed

to fit them to become forest rangers. Junior Woodsmen: Applicants must be 16 to 18 years of age. These boys are given three years’ training through a comprehensive syllabus to become skilled forest workers. They spend two years in Woodsman hostels and then complete their training on selected forests. Clerical Cadets: Should be Of School Certificate standard as a minimum requirement: positions in general administration, accounts, legal work, stores management, arid so on, are available. Draughting Cadets: Should be of School Certificate standard. They are trained in the plotting and recording of land areas. Hunter Trainees: Applicants must be 18 years of age and be physically fit. A short but strenuous course is given in hunting, campcraft, and bushcraft. Trade Apprentices: A limited number is accepted each year. Boys must have two years’ secondary education and School Certificate is preferred. Careers for Girls: Positions are available as clerical cadets, technicians, short-hand-typists, typists, machinists, and draughting cadets.