IMPRESSIVE MILITARY CEREMONY

Southland Times, Issue 24002, 18 December 1939, Page 6

IMPRESSIVE MILITARY CEREMONY

FUNCTION AT WERAROA AIR STATION (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, December 16. 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, J,evin, this afternoon. The salute was taken by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), who afterwards addressed the men. He was accompanied by the acting chief of the Air Staff (Group Captain 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. Today’s ceremony was larger than that originally planned as the station has since been expanded to the full. A wing of 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.