H—37

(ii) University and Professional Courses. —A.E.W.S. text-books for Universitydegree courses remain available on hire, and tuition was provided for students taking accountancy or secretarial courses. Every encouragement was given by the R.N.Z.A.F. to serving personnel who took University and professional courses in order to improve their prospects of promotion or employment either within or outside the Service. (iii) Recreational Libraries. —Over the past year emphasis has been placed on the supply of general information and on the " library request " function of station libraries, with the result that there has been an all-round increase in library activity relative to the present strength of stations. (iv) Classes at Technical Schools. —The numbers of personnel attending classes at technical schools have been steady throughout the year. The cooperation of the Principals of the schools in arranging classes suited to the needs of Service personnel was greatly appreciated. (v) Hobby Clubs. —Educational clubs such as woodwork, metalwork, drama, photographic, amateur radio, and musical appreciation clubs, &c., continued to be popular among Service personnel. As a factor tending to promote good tone and morale they proved their value during the war and are now regarded as an essential part of the welfare organization of the Air Force. No. 14. Squadron, Japan.—The Educational Section of this squadron has arranged educational activities of its own and, in addition, has worked in close liaison with the R.A.F. Education Section, Iwakuni, and with the New Zealand Army Educational and Rehabilitation Service. A recent report showed that one-third of the total squadron were enrolled with one or the other of the various educational activities. Accidents During the past year, in which there occurred 29 accidents involving R.N.Z.A.F. aircraft, there was only 1 serious accident, which resulted in loss of life and the destruction of the aircraft. This accident took place at Iwakuni Airfield, Japan, and concerned a Corsair aircraft of No. 14 Squadron. Five of the accidents occurred on the ground and the resultant damage was not of a serious nature. There were 19 cases of engine failure in flight, but in every instance successful landings were made. Some of these failures were undoutedly due to a recession from the high standard of maintenance created by the R.N.Z.A.F. during the war years. Public Relations The small staff remaining in this Section is mainly involved in matters arising out of the war, such as casualty records, graves registration, and correspondence with next-of-kin. It is also responsible for publicity, advertising, notification of awards, &c. The R.A.F. Missing Research and Inquiry Service, to which a few New Zealand officers are attached, has continued to operate in Europe in an endeavour not only to trace those personnel still reported missing, but also to obtain further facts regarding those already reported during the war by the International Red Cross as having lost their lives. Similar investigations are being carried out in the Pacific by United States and Australian personnel, to which party one New Zealander is seconded. The information obtained has been deeply appreciated by the next-of-kin. Historical Records The Air Force Historical Records Branch was only established towards the end of the war, and some years of work are yet involved. It is divided into two sections : one at Air Department, Wellington, dealing with the Pacific area ; and one at R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters, London, working on the operations in Europe and elsewhere in which the R.N.Z.A.F. were mainly involved. The work of these sections is directed and co-ordinated by the Editor-in-Chief of New Zealand War Histories.

9