Untitled

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1938, Page 4

The distinction of being selected for training as officers of the Royal Navylias been gained by two New Zealand boys, who were passed in to the Navy recently after being interviewed at Wellington and successfully passing a special examination set by the Civil Service Commissioner, London. The boy's, Avlm are both about years old, are Ronald Whatley, of Wellington, and Arthur Baker, of Timiiru. Although the Navy authorities ;;re keen to provide New Zealand boys Avith the opportunity for entry into the Royal Navy cadet officers, it has been stated that the numbers Avere generally disappointingly few. There were rarely more than two offering each year, and comparatively few had been entered in the past. The authorities were particularly glad to have them, because they could "be sent out to the New Zealand station when the opportunity occurred, and it was a policy with the Admiralty in England to choose Ncav Zealaiuhrs for Ncav Zealand positions if they wore available. Both the hoys avlio have hecn selected in this instance were passed in straight from secondary school, Arthur Baker having been a pupil at the Timaru Boys’ High School and Ronald Whatley- a pupil of Wanganui Collegiate School On arrival in England they will he taken into the Vindictive as naval cadets. After nine months’ training there they will go to .sea with the fleet as midshipmen, and aitci two years' further experience will enter a naval college and do various technical courses. From the college both hoys Avill by the normal procedure pass to the rank of lieutenant, although they "ill take the rank of acting-sub-lieutenant and go to sea for further service. In the course of time they wifi reach the rank of lieutenant and higher ranks. They may be sent out to New Zealand as soon as they have completed tire technical courses at the naval college.