F—l

AERADIO SERVICES The aeradio services established at Awarua Radio in November, 1944, following upon the institution of air services between Dunedin and Invercargill, were discontinued as from the 17th November, 1947. The necessary radio-communication facilities for aircraft in that area are now provided at Invercargill by the Air Department. OPENING OF RADIO-TELEGRAPH STATIONS AT ISLANDS OFF MAINLAND During the year, radio-telegraph stations were opened at Mayor Island and Slipper Island for communication with the mainland. RADIO INTERFERENCE REGULATIONS 1934 By amending regulations effective from the Ist February, the scope of the Radio Interference ' Regulations 1934 was widened to cover the licensing of high-frequency equipment which is liable to cause interference to broadcast reception .and to radiocommunication. services. LICENCES ISSUED Radio-receiving Licences At the 31st March the total number of radio-receiving licences current was 421,064, representing an increase of 5,783, or 1 *4 per cent, over the number in force a year earlier. Radio-dealers' Licences Radio-dealers' licences in force at the 31st March numbered 1,680, an increase of 195 as compared with the number current at the end of the previous year. Private Experimental (Amateur) Stations The number of private experimental (amateur) stations licensed at the 31st March was 1,617, an increase of 357 over the previous year. Private Commercial Radio-telephone Stations Radio-station licences have been issued to associations representing owners of small marine craft such as fishing and pleasure launches to establish land stations for communication with their vessels. Generally such stations are approved only in areas • outside the range of Post Office stations. Radio-telephone Stations on board Ships During the year 78 small vessels such as launches, yachts, and fishing-trawlers were licensed for radio-telephone communication with private shore stations or with stations operated by the Post Office. The total number of ships fitted with radiocommunication equipment and licensed in New Zealand is 160. MONEY-ORDER AND SAVINGS-BANK SERVICES SAVINGS-BANK FACILITIES Establishment of Ledger Offices The policy of extending ledger facilities was pursued during the year, an additional 35 Savings-bank ledger offices being opened. There are now 105 ledger offices at. which depositors may make withdrawals on demand, and these offices cover about 95 per cent. «©f all depositors.

19