APPOINTMENT OF RURAL OFFICER FOR THE BROADCASTING SERVICE

Wanganui Chronicle, 21 September 1950, Page 7

APPOINTMENT OF RURAL OFFICER FOR THE BROADCASTING SERVICE

Mr. James C. Taylor, a returned serviceman of the Second World War, and the first Rehabilitation bursar to lie sent to an Agricultural College, has been appointed to the new post of Rural Officer in the Broadcasting Service.

Announcing this, the Acting Minister in Charge of Broadcasting (Mr.

Broadfoot) said Mr. Taylor's duties would be to over-see existing farm broadcast sessions, to organise new ones with a widening appeal, and to

co-ordinate the whole into a more effective service for lesteners generality. While the primary aim would be to interest farmers and their wives, the new sessions would be directed also towards interpreting the country to the town; and it was hoped to make them entertaining as well as informative.

Mr. Taylor was born in India, but went to England for his schooling. He had three years experience of English mixed farming—in Devonshire and Sussex—-and came to New Zealand in

1939. After 18 months on dairy farms in the Waikato, e enlisted in the 2nd N.Z.E.F. He served with the 24th Battalion in Greece, and in the 1941 Desert Campaign; and was severely wounded by mortar-fire at Sidi Rezeg. As a result of this, he lost his right leg below the knee; and was invalided home in 1942.

Upon his discharge from the Army, Mr. Taylor entered Lincoln College as a “Rehab.” student. He gained both the Diploma of Agriculture and the Diploma of Valuation and Farm Management; and, early in 1946, was appointed 'to the staff of the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. There, as an Assistant Soil Conservator, he has been concerned particularly with the Council’s educational work, and with preparing material for its public displays at A. and P. Shows and elsewhere.

Last year, Mr. Taylor revisited the United Kingdom, and also spent three months in Canada and the United States, looking into farming questions; especially erosion and soil conservation. He will transfer to the Broadcasting Service early next month.