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Control centres operate at Auckland and Wellington, and a new Control Centre has been established at Christchurch. The Control Centre at Norfolk has been reduced to an emergency basis, while that at Fiji has had added to its area of responsibility New Caledonia and north to Canton Island. Control at airfields has remained substantially the same, with the exception that on most fields only daylight hours are worked. The Air Sea Rescue organization was last year called upon to search for a number of small surface vessels in distress. It also provided assistance to one transport aircraft en route to Australia, and searched for a number of missing aircraft. With the reduction of activities in the R.N.Z.A.F. since the cessation of hostilities, the availability of aircraft for rescue purposes has been more limited. The present equipment comprises one Catalina at Lauthala Bay, Fiji, and one at Hobsonville, and airborne lifeboats at Whenuapai, Ohakea, and Norfolk Island. It is expected that during the forthcoming year approval will be obtained in respect of proposals for a control organization on a civil basis which will serve the needs of all traffic in New Zealand and in the Pacific Islands, while there will also need to be provided search and air rescue facilities based on the international scheme proposed by the Provisional International Civil Aviation organization. The functions of both control and search and air rescue sections will form part of the basic organizations governing these activities ultimately prescribed by P.1.C.A.0. for the South Pacific regional route services. SECTION X.—LICENSING The Licensing Division is responsible for the issue and renewal of the following licences under the provisions of Air Navigation Regulations 1933, and, where applicable, in the form and manner prescribed by the Convention for the Regulation of Aerial Navigation:— Aircrew— Pilots' " A " (Private) Licences. Pilots' "B" (Commercial) Licences. Navigators' (Ist and 2nd Class) Licences. Aircraft Radio Telegraph (Ist, 2nd, 3rd Class, and Temporary) Licences. Aircraft Radio Telephone Licences. Flying Instructors Authorities. Engineers: Aircraft Engineers' Licences (in five Categories—"A," " B," " C," "D," and "X" in seven subdivisions). Equipment— Certificates of Registration. Certificates of Airworthiness. Aerodrome Licences (Public and Temporary). During the war period and in the first six months of the current year the number of licences issued was restricted, as would be expected,, but on the termination of hostilities there was a considerable demand, particularly for *A" Licences and "B " Licences from recently demobilized aircrew personnel. The resumption of aero-club activities also contributed a large quota •of applications for renewal. 2—H 37

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