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and navigational aid facilities over a wide area being manifest simultaneously with the consolidation and internal organization of a relatively new section of the Air Department. The radio engineering section of the telecommunications organization has assumed full responsibility for the maintenance of all radio aids to navigation and radio communication equipment, and for the supervision of any new installations. In view of the rapid technical advances in aviation radio, the work of this section is becoming more and more specialized and complex. Communication procedures for air navigation services as prescribed by the International Civil Aviation Organization were introduced for general use on internal and overseas aeradio circuits on Ist January, 1948. Although these procedures represent a departure from normal commercial routines, they were readily assimilated by aeradio operating staffs. Few modifications were necessary to adapt the procedures for national use, in spite of the fact that they are basically international. As a result there will be a high degree of standardization throughout the whole aeradio system, both internally and overseas. The inauguration of new air services to Kaitaia and the extension of existing services to Invercargill called for new aeradio stations at Onerahi and Invercargill respectively. Both stations are in operation, although at Invercargill the installation is of a temporary nature pending the construction of more permanent buildings. Aeradio facilities were installed at Paraparaumu and were brought into operation on 29th September, 1947, consequent upon the closing of Rongotai and the transfer of commercial air services to Paraparaumu. This is the only aerodrome in the Dominion where the operational facilities, although housed in temporary buildings, approach the ideal in layout —namely, aeradio, air traffic control, meteorological services, and company operations located in close proximity to one another in the same building. The communications facilities at Paraparaumu comprise teletype and telephone circuits at present, but will later be extended to include ground-to-air and point-to-point radio circuits. Reconstruction work and installation work at various stations is being undertaken, but man-power and equipment shortages have seriously retarded progress. Clearance has been obtained for several new frequencies for the high-frequency point-to-point radio circuits, and the installation of appropriate equipment to bring the new channels into operation will assist materially to relieve the present congestion and resultant delays to traffic. Initial problems associated with the aeradio station at Nandi, Fiji, have been solved and the station is now functioning satisfactorily. One of the largest in the South Pacific, this station is favourably commented upon by overseas airlines. Progress with permanent accommodation for personnel at the airport has been held up pending a decision of the siting of the international airport for Fiji. Certain aeradio stations continue to be administered by the Post and Telegraph Department where services other than aeronautical are provided. The facilities at Samoa are jointly controlled by both Departments, but in view of the distance between the aerodrome at Faleolo and the aeradio station at Apia it has been decided to install an independent aeradio station at Faleolo. Negotiations for the acceptance of responsibility for Norfolk Island aeradio services by the Australian authorities have been completed, but implementation of the change of control has been delayed owing to the poliomyelitis restrictions in the Dominion preventing officials from visiting Norfolk to complete the transfer. A training scheme for radio operators has been inaugurated and a limited number of cadets will be accepted to undergo a course of training at the R.N.Z.A.F. Electrical and Wireless School at Wigram early in June, 1948. The availability of junior operators will ease staffing problems, since the source of trained operators to fill existing and proposed establishments is now practically exhausted.

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