BOYS FOR AIR FORCE

Taranaki Daily News, 27 May 1933, Page 2

BOYS FOR AIR FORCE

COLLEGE LADS TO BE SELECTED. APPOINTMENT OF THREE. Three students attending Either Wellington, Auckland or Christchurch Technical Colleges will shortly be appointed as apprentices to the New Zealand Permanent Air Force. Applications closed on Thursday. A group of about 25 boys at Wellington Technical College, aspirants for the positions, filled in application forms on Wednesday, and after being reviewed by the principal, Mr. R. G. Ridling, and the vocational guidance officers, Mr. A. A. Kirk, the majority of them were forwarded to the department for consideration. The applications were invited about ten days ago by the Defence Department from the three technical colleges. It is expected that the successful candidates will be announced by Squadron-Leader T. M. Wilkes, M.C., Director of Air Services, some time next week. On the last occasion there were five vacancies, and three of the boys were selected from Wellington Technical College, all of whom are making good progress. . The forms stated that the selected applicants would be required to commence duty about Jdne 1, but as . the list closed only on Thursday it will probably be about a fortnight before the appointees take-up duty. ' The new.apprentices will be at Trentham Camp for the first three months of their- -service,- after--which -they-will - be stationed at Wigram Aerodrome, Sockbum, Christchurch. Applicants are required to be British subjects between the ages of 16 and IB years, in possession of a sixth standard certificate or equal, preference being given to candidates with elementary technical training in addition. They must be physically fit for active service in any part of the world according to conditions prescribed ,by the defence regulations. The.pay and lodging allowances, which are subject to. alteration at any time, are: On appointment £7O, second year £B5, third year £lOO, fourth year £ll5. Ori completion of the fourth year as apprentices ■ they will,-if -recommended, be mustered as aircraftmen and receive pay rising from £125 to £175, further 'increments depending on selection for promotion. Lodging allowances re made for those who cannot conveniently reside at home. The. boys receive a free Issue of clothing and uniform on enlistment. They must contribute to the superannuation fund, and wages and lodging allowances are subject to wages tax.. Apprentices are traii.ed with a view to becoming fitters (also, engineers), metal riggers, carpenter riggers, store duties and photographers. One lad f™™Wellington College who went into the photographic section learned photography in the, camera club at the college. Apprentices are not trained to .become pilots, and- normally the appointment will not lead to higher rank than war-rant-officers. They may obtain their discharges after five years’ service without payment. Applications for appointment have to be accompanied by a recommendation from .the principal of the college and reports from th-, last three terms, certificates of good character, and the signed permission of parents or guardians to enter upon flying duty if called upon.