AIR TRAINEES

Evening Star, Issue 23452, 18 December 1939, Page 11

AIR TRAINEES

IMPRESSIVE CEREMONIAL (Peb UsiTEn Press Association.] WELLINGTON, December 17. In brilliant sunshine an impressive military ceremonial to mark the passing out of the second batch of trainees was held at the. Royal New Zealand Air Force training depot at Weraroa this afternoon. The salute was taken by the Minister of Defence (Hon. F. Jones), who afterwards addressed the men. He was accompanied by the Acting Chief of the Air Staff, Groupcaptain L. M. Isitt. It was the first time the full ceremony has been held in New Zealand. One was to have been held on November 19, when the first batch of recruits completed their training, but it had to be abandoned because of rain. To-day’s ceremony was larger than that originally planned, as the station has since been expanded to a full wing. About 200 men paraded under the command of Squadron-leader T. W. White/ officer commanding the station. Keen interest was shown by the public and there was an attendance of about 300, many of whom had driven up from Wellington. After watching the parade a large number inspected the. buildings and others listened to selections played by the Air Force Band from Wellington.