H —37

On the operational side, staffing difficulties in respect of commitments in the South Pacific and in New Zealand have been overcome, and it is not anticipated that any difficulty will be experienced in maintaining authorized staff establishments in the coming year. Arrangements made with the Royal New Zealand Air Force enabled an additional course for twelve operator-trainees to be commenced at the R.N.Z.A.F. Electrical and Wireless School at Wigram at the beginning of September. It is expected that trainees becoming available from the school will make good the normal wastage due to resignations, &c., and provide for requirements for expansion of services. 2. Airports Section (Including Crash/Fire Services) (a) Aerodromes and Associated Facilities As far as possible during the year under review, construction efforts have been concentrated on the development of the main trunk air routes to the standard necessary for the regular and safe operation of air services. These efforts have, however, again been hindered in no small measure by the shortage of professional engineers and associated technical staff, as well as of man-power, construction plant, and materials. The only new aerodrome at present under construction is at Hokitika. Work has proceeded steadily on the construction of this airfield, and it is anticipated that, exclusive of building works and runway surfacing, the formation of this airfield will be completed in April of this year. The runways will be paved next summer. A considerable amount of planning-work has been carried out in connection with the following new projects. Wellington (Rongotai). —General plans for the development of Rongotai Airport have been prepared, and are before the Government for consideration. Auckland.—Extensive preliminary surveys have been carried out in the vicinity of Auckland with a view to locating the most suitable site for an international airport. The search for the preferred site is now concentrated in the Mangere area. At the present time engineers are investigating all practical means of reducing to the minimum the area of productive land that may. be involved in the construction of an airport adequate for the operation of international air services. Rotorua. —The airport which at present serves Rotorua is sub-standard in certain details. The preparation of preliminary plans for the development of a new airport in this location has therefore been commenced. However, in view of the demands already being made on the available construction resources in the development of aerodromes on main trunk routes, the construction of a new airport in this area is not contemplated for some years. Timaru.—During the year steps have been taken to secure an area of land near Levels that will be suitable for the ultimate development of an airport for Timaru. Again, in view of the more urgent requirements of Civil Aviation at other points, no early construction work is contemplated. At the same time attention has been given to construction work and planning in respect of the following aerodromes used by domestic scheduled air services. Auckland (Whenuapai). —The terminal apron at this airport is now in course of reconstruction. This work is scheduled for completion by April, 1950. Christchurch (Harewood). —The construction of two runways to Class C dimensions and Class 4 strength is now under way, thus making this airport suitable for the operation of international air services. Tauranga.—The preliminary planning of extensions to this airport to provide for its development in due course to Class E dimensions is in hand.

30