H.—l9,

On 21st July, 1935, a D.H. Moth ZK-ABM was reported missing on a flight from Akitio to Hastings, under conditions of bad visibility. After extensive searching by Air Force and aero-club machines, working in co-operation with ground parties, the aircraft was finally found on the 4th August in a slightly damaged condition on high country in the Wakarara Ranges. The search had been considerably hampered by continuous bad weather with clouds over the ranges. No trace was found of the pilot. On 19th February, 1936, a Miles Falcon, owned by Union Airways, Ltd.. struck an anemometer mast on the boundary of Rongotai Aerodrome, Wellington, whilst' landing in misty rain and a strong gusty wind. The passenger was uninjured, but the pilot received fatal injuries. On 28th March, 1936, a parachutist was killed at Rongotai Aerodrome, Wellington, when his parachute failed to open. It was subsequently found that a packing wire had not been removed. 4. Aircraft Inspection. With the growth of aviation in the Dominion, the inspection of civil aircraft for the purpose of granting certificates has been increased. The number of inspections made last year totalled 150. During this period fifty-five certificates were renewed, and sixteen new certificates were issued. The number of new aircraft added to the register was sixteen, making the total of registered aircraft at 31st May, ninety-four. During the past year official investigation was made into five accidents affecting civil aviation. An increasing number of the larger types of commercial aircraft is now operating in the Dominion, and, in order that the modern instruments and apparatus with which these machines are equipped may be periodically checked for accuracy, it has been necessary to obtain further specialized testing-equipment from abroad. 5. Ground Engineers. The number of applicants offering themselves for examination for ground engineers' licences was in excess of the number that could be dealt with at each of the two examinations held during the year. The method of conducting these examinations is under revision, and an endeavour will be made to hold them at more frequent intervals. New licences issued amounted to twenty-eight, making the total current in all categories at 31st May, eighty-five.

Civil Aviation. —Summary of Statistics of Aircraft Services from 1st April, 1935, to 31st March, 1936.

Civil Aviation. —Summary of Statistics of Light Aero Clubs as at 31st March, 1936: Training.

2—H. 19.

9

H M „ Number of Trips. Company. Route. Aircraft, M!o^ s •& § Freight. Mail. - p® | Sched- Com- ReguPh ule. pulsory. lar. ii ,, Per lb. Cent Air Travel (N.Z.), Hokitika- Haast-Okuru- 2D.H.83 872 87,233 1,030 10,774 17,568 189 185 97-8 Ltd. Inehbonnie-Hokitika-Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers East Coast Air- Gisborne-Napier .. 2 D.H. 84 1,322 129,363 3,808 53,398 .. 1,301 1,253 96-3 ways, Ltd. Cook Strait Air- Wellington-Blenheim- 2 D.H. 89 464 58,000 3,056 3,981 710t 850 808 95-0 ways, Ltd.* Nelson Union Airways of Palmerston North- 2D.H. 86 562 71,575 1,212 861 1,055{ 154 154 100-0 New Zealand, Blenheim-Christ-Ltd. church-Dunedin * Commenced service 29t.h December, 1935. t Granted mail contract 16th March, 1936. } Commenced service 15th January, 1936.

Members. Aircraft Hours flown. Licences valid. Aero Club. - in , Pl ? ot ®, ; . trained. Associate. Flying.* -t Trainin S- MemLs. Private " | me S. Auckland .. .. .. 572 111 7 15 2,060 471 65 6 Western Federated (North Island) 300 67 3 12 715 270 47 1 Hawke's Bay and East Coast .. 122 57 3 11 939 222 33 Marlborough . . . . 103 38 3 9 501 162 14 1 Canterbury .. .. .. 107 87 3 26 1,399 604 58 3 Otago .. .. 157 44 4 9 774 356 32 1 Southland .. .. .. 85 43 4 13 944 417 32 1 Middle Districts . . .. 185 37 2 10 513 152 22 1 Wairarapa and Kuahine . . 240 32 3 4 494 196 21 1 West Coast United .. .. 435 22 2 6 356 118 11 Wellington .. .. .. 256 75 5 14 923 426 40 4 * Training or with valid licences. t Excludes aircraft used for commercial purposes only.