H—37

Traffic to and from New Zealand for the year ended 31st March, 1950, was :

(4) Aerial Work The experimental aerial top-dressing carried out by the R.N.Z.A.F. with Grumman Avenger aircraft created a most favourable impression on the farming community, particularly on those sections which are concerned with inaccessible hill areas and marginal lands. A number of light-aircraft operators have been quick to realize the commercial possibilities of this type of aerial work, and following a number of individual experiments it has been found that the Tiger Moth aircraft is capable of being used commercially for spreading such manures as lime and superphosphate after undergoing a relatively simple modification involving the fitting of a hopper in the front cockpit. It was obvious that hand loading of the aircraft was not practicable, and a mechanical loading device was quickly developed.

43

— Entering New Zealand. Leaving New Zealand. Total. Passengers 1,336 1,048 2,384 Freight (lb.) 95,792 67,388 163,180 Mail (lb.) 4,372 7,828 12,200 B.C.P.A.'s flying figures on the route were 2,815 hours and 750,887 miles.