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H—37

Works Services R.N.Z.A.F. facilities at Norfolk Island, Tonga, and Nausori (Fiji) were withdrawn, and control of these airfields was passed to the Australian Government in the case of Norfolk Island, and to Civil Aviation Branch of Air Department in the case of Tonga and Nausori. The New Zealand Works Department will continue to maintain the latter two aerodromes on behalf of the appropriate Governments. Part of the R.N.Z.A.F. station at Ardmore was loaned to the Education Board ; the Movements Section, Auckland, was relocated in Fanshawe Street to release premises required for other purposes ; nine blister-type hangars were renovated and repossessed at Ashburton Airfield for storage purposes; and a detachment from Wigram was established at Burnham Military Camp as a temporary expedient pending the recovery of accommodation blocks at Wigram which are currently occupied by the Immigration Department. Approval was received to erect forty housing units on New Zealand stations and twelve houses at Lauthala Bay, Fiji, as the first stage of a Service housing programme. It is of considerable importance to expedite this programme, since the conversion of existing buildings has virtually ceased owing to the lack of further suitable buildings. Recruiting and the retention of much-needed trained personnel in the Service depends to a large degree on the provision of married accommodation. Major works within the long-term rebuilding programme included the preparation of an internal fire-prevention scheme using augmented water-supplies and sprinklersystems connected with automatic-alarm systems. The establishment of a major repairdepot for the R.N.Z.A.F. at Woodbourne has commenced, and progress has been made in augmenting the storage capacity at Te Rapa and Weedons in order that temporary buildings at Mangaroa may be released. The rebuilding of Te Rapa in permanent materials is proceeding, all barrack accommodation having been brought up to a satisfactory standard. Modernization of messes throughout the R.N.Z.A.F. by theintroduction of labour-saving equipment is progressing. The standard of maintenance provided by the Ministry of Works has been high. Organization The reorganization of the R.N.Z.A.F. has proceeded in conformity with approved plans. This has principally been evidenced by the introduction of a " three wing " organization on stations. Under this arrangement flying, administrative, and technical wings function under individual commanders, the whole organization being co-ordinated by the station commander. A new recruiting organization has been established with recruiting offices at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The detailed control and supervision of non-Regular Forces has been delegated to Reserve Wings established on the three main R.N.Z.A.F. stations in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch,. with a Directorate of Reserves at Air Department co-ordinating all non-Regular activities. The basis of the plan for the division of the R.N.Z.A.F. into two functional groups has been laid down. The peace establishment of the R.N.Z.A.F. has been prepared in conjunction with a representative of the Treasury and submitted to the Air Board. The Post-war Planning Committee and the Planning Executive have now been disbanded, and the responsibility for planning passed to headquarter's staffs. Administrative procedures have been overhauled, and the examination, review,, and reissue of orders and regulations continues. Education The number of education officers in the R.N.Z.A.F. is still insufficient to cope with the growing commitments of the Education Branch, and the assistance of part-time teachers has been secured wherever possible. The range of education instruction required

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