WING NOTES

ATC Observer, Volume 3, Issue 5, 1 November 1944, Page 24

WING NOTES

INTER-WING QUIZ. . The twelfth and final week of the A.T.C. radio quiz showed very close total scores with two Wings, Provincial and Dunedin, sharing the honours for first place. It was decided to hold a final round to decide the winning Wing of the competition. One cadet representative of each Wing participated, the Quiz being broadcast from Wellington. As a result, Provincial Wing must be congratulated on winning the competition, although, as it happened, the Wellington Wing representative scored the highest individual marks in the last round. Scorings for the twelfth and thirteenth rounds were:

No. 14 SQUADRON—GISBORNE. This Squadron has passed through a comparatively quiet month with little out of general routine, other than a visit from Squadron Leader N. L. R. Cowan, D.F.C., R.A.F., Commanding Officer of Provincial Wing; a night parade to Waikanae Beach in support of the Army Convoy’s exhibition for the Victory Loan; and a weekend on the local Air Force Station.

The feature of the month was undoubtedly Squadron Leader Cowan’s visit on 12th September. Practically the whole of our evening’s parade was occupied by a most interesting lecture on the present and future position of the Air Training Corps in relation to the R.N.Z.A.F. Many problems and doubts were allayed by his frank address, for which we, as a Squadron, have greatly benefited. Also present at that parade were several members of the Gisborne Borough Council who, like us, appreciated the “gen” imparted by the C.O.

Under very unpleasant weather conditions the Squadron marched from the Drill Hall, across the town to Waikanae Beach, as a prelude to the exhibition of modern Army equipment and its uses by an Army convoy, which came to Gisborne on a tour in aid of the Victory Loan Campaign. It was raining with a bitter wind off the sea making conditions anything but pleasant. This restricted the activities of the convoy personnel to some extent and prohibited the ■ cooperation of the R.N.Z.A.F.

Once again those members of the Squadron fortunate enough to be able to attend a week-end camp on the Station were given the opportunity to do so early in the month, and again a most interesting and instructive time was had by all.

GERALDINE DETACHED FLIGHT. Our Flight has steadily increased in numbers and has now reached Squadron strength. Since our inception into the A.T.C. over a year ago, we have bade farewell to Cadets Charlie Hutt and Maurice Costello, both worthy members of our Flight, and who have entered the R.N.Z.A.F. Cadet Pat Markham, who acted as a very efficient quartermaster, has also left us to take up another position in Ashburton. In his place is L.A.C. W. W. Morrison. Three cadets recently returned from Ohakea where they undertook an N.C.O. course. Cadet B. Goodall is at present taking a P.T. course on that station. Our meeting rooms have been relined and we have been presented with an Air Force hut to cope with our numbers. We are in ideal surroundings and things are in tip-top order. Good work, Geraldine!

Cpl. Brockett, our Squadron N.C.0., visits us regularly for instruction. With much regret we had farewelled our learned instructor, but to our surprise he returned with his cheery smile and “so interesting lectures.”

No. 27 SQUADRON—BLENHEIM. . Apart from playing table-tennis and baseball, we have very little on the sports side to report. Summer tramps will be resumed shortly. Great things are rumoured of the new Social Committee. An energetic crowd with new ideas. At the last dance, an enthusiastic mob of furniture removers successfully “removed” the piano lid while in transit. Good show, lads! The dance, however, was of the usual high standard. F/Sgt. La Vie, who replaced F/Sgt. Cozens, has commenced lectures which will prove valuable later on. (P.S.: Bring your notebooks.)

ELLESMERE DETACHED FLIGHT. We are going ahead steadily under the capable instruction of our 0.C., P/0 Miller, and Corporal Graves, who comes out from Christchurch on parade nights. In fact we are now classed as one of the most capable Detached Flights going. Several shoots with .22 rifles and American .300 have been held, and some remarkable scores were put up by some of the cadets.

A big event was held on the night of Thursday, October sth, when our anniversary dance was held in the Southbridge Town Hall. Its success was marked by the large crowd and we were also honoured by having Squadron Leader Lester, Wing Commanding Officer, there. Part of the Rakaia Detached Flight also arrived with their 0.C., and spent a very enjoyable evening.

We all look forward to the “Observer” out here and we think you are doing a grand job of work.

Total Total 12th 13th Final Round Round Score Auckland 516 2 518 Provincial 5934 15 6084 Wellington 5274 20 5471 Christchurch 575 8 583 Dunedin 5934 13 6061