H.—37.

Twenty-nine Baffin aircraft were received and their erection taken in hand. These aircraft will be distributed to the Territorial Squadrons as soon as they are ready to receive them. Considerable progress has been made in reorganizing the system for the care and maintenance of equipment, but the situation cannot be regarded as entirely satisfactory until the new stores buildings which are now in hand have been completed. These will enable all classes of equipment to be stored under suitable conditions. Education. The appointment of the first Education Officer to the Royal New Zealand Air Force was made during the year. Education is of vital importance in the Air Force, for personnel can only profit from the instruction of technical officers if they have received a satisfactory grounding in mathematics, physics, mechanics, &c. With modern equipment the problems which face the pilot and the maintenance personnel call for a high standard of technical knowledge and general education. Again, personnel will one day return to civil life, and it is desirable that whilst in the Service they should keep in touch with current ideas 011 all subjects of interest to the citizen. Air Force stations are therefore being provided with reference libraries, whilst the Education Officer arranges debates and organizes visits by outside lecturers. Miscellaneous Activities. During the year photographic survey work was undertaken for a number of Departments and public bodies. Towards the end of the year this work had to be curtailed owing to the heavy demands on personnel arising out of the development of the Air Force. A renewed effort on a larger scale will be made after the arrival of the survey aircraft and an officer to undertake the work. This officer is now undergoing a special course in England and will later proceed to Canada, where extensive use has been made of air-survey methods, and much can be learnt which will be of practical value to New Zealand. In concluding this report I would like to mention the volume of work which has fallen 011 the headquarters staff, both Service and civilian, and also 011 the units. A programme of rapid expansion must always involve the trained personnel in extra work and responsibility, but the way in which the many problems have been tackled reflects great credit on all concerned. I would also like to refer to the assistance which has been afforded by the Public Works Department. The design and construction of new Air Force stations is a task requiring experience in a number of branches of engineering, and I am satisfied that without the technical knowledge available in the aerodromes and other branches of the Public Works Department the programme could not have been undertaken in its present form. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, R. A. Cochbane, Group Captain.

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