MILITARY CADETSHIP.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16947, 9 November 1926, Page 7

MILITARY CADETSHIP.

SANDHURST SELECTIONS. MESSRS PAGE AND WOOLLER. THIRTY APPLICATIONS RECEIVED (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday. According to an official announcement to-day, two vacant caclclships for New Zealand youths at. the Royal Military College, Sandhurst, England, have been filled by the selection of Mr G. 11. Wooller, Auckland and Mr J. R. Page, Invercargill. v - This is the second selection that has been made in connection with military cadetshlps at Sandhurst. Previously cadets were sent to Duntroon at a cost nearly twice as great as that under the new method. Two' vacancies arc allowed New Zcalandcrs at Sandhurst every six months, and one at Woolwich. Candidates arc to be between the ages of ■ fifteen and ninelccn, and should be fit for active service in any part of the world. There is no scholastic ex : amination, but to be eligible for appointment candidates arc required to be the holders of the matriculation examination certificates or their equivalent. Training for eighteen months at Sandhurst is undergone by the successful applicant, and if the course is satisfactorily completed, candidates arc commissioned as second lieutenants in the New Zealand Staff Corps on graduating, and will be attached to the unit of the British regular army for six months prior to their return to the Dominion. All expenses arc found by the New Zealand Government, which, in adition, makes an allowance of £1 per week pocket money. For the two vacancies recently offered, there were 30 applicants, and these were narrowed down to 7, who were sent to Wellington to be interview by the G.O.C. The final selection was made by the head of the forces after consultation with his staff officers.

In the selection, candidates were judged on scholastic and athletic attainments, and general appearance and character as far as could be ascertained by interview and references. The choice fell on Mr G. H. Wooller, of Auckland, formerly of Thames, and Mr J. R. Page, of Invercargill. Both youths are reported to have done exceptionally well educationally, and both have secured football and cricket caps at their respective secondary schools. Advice has been received that candidates selected in the .previous lot have been most hosjUitably treated in England. The Victoria League has provided hostesses in various parts of the United Kingdom, and recently they visited the battle fields of Belgium and France, in company yith Major Jennings, a New Zealand officer attending the staff college at Camberley.

The Defence Department is in receipt of excellent reports concerning previous nominees who show promise of becoming exceptionally fine officers. The two latest appointees will leave New Zealand by the Port Hobart on November 25.