THE AIR FORCE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23705, 12 January 1939, Page 2

THE AIR FORCE

SCHEME OF EXPANSION FURTHER BUILDING AT HOBSONVILLE FACILITIES FOR STAFF (Special xo Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Jan. 11. Further constructional and other activity is pending at the Hobsonville air base. The plans are prepared for a large administration block, workshops, and also for a recreation hall and other facilities for the staff, and work has started on the foundations of a hangar for the Auckland territorial squadron When the Whenuapai aerodrome, near Hobsonville, and the Ohakea aerodromes are completed, they will become operational stations for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Wigram will be used largely as a training centre and Hopsonville as the repair and stores base. The programme at Hobsonville is based largely on the role it is to follow under the new air defence scheme. It was announced in October last that the creation of new Air Force stations and also the fact that further modern aircraft had been ordered by the Government for the strengthening of the Dominion's defences necessitated the enlistment of approximately 200 additional young men for various positions in the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Under the enlistment scheme 63 recruits who have already been chosen will start at Hobsonville on February 1 next, and will attend the school of technical instruction. These men have been recruited from various parts of New Zealand. The erection of a hall and the provision of other facilities for recreation is in conformity with the promise by the Minister of Defence (Mr F. Jones) in the House of Representatives in September last that additional recreation facilities would be provided as soon as possible. The Minister then stated that as a result of an investigation as to why a number of airmen had taken their discharge at Hobsonville, it was found that one of the the contributing factors was lack of amenities, a defect due to the difficulties inherent in a force that had rapidly expanded. Enlistments have also been excellent for the Auckland Territorial Air Squadron. There are now nine pilots and a ground staff of 55, while another selection of riggers, fitters, and other technicians will be made this month. The number of flights to be contained in the squadron, which is under the leadership of Squadron-leader Allan, has not yet been announced. So far, training in the air has been limited to exercises with Baffin bombers, but active training of a wider character will start in February.