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APPENDIX II.— NET EXPENDITURE DURING LAST SIX YEARS. Defence Vote.

APPENDIX 111. 1. General. The amount voted for civil aviation for the financial year 1936-37 was £21,714, of which £21,646 was expended. In addition to this amount, £341,000 was placed on the estimates of the Public Works Department for the provision of landing-grounds and aerodromes. During the year Mr. J. M. Buckeridge was appointed Senior Assistant to the Controller of Civil Aviation and attached to the Civil Aviation staff at Headquarters, Wellington. Summary of Licences and Certificates current at 31st March, 1937. Pilots' "A " licences .. . . ■. • • • • ■ • 493 Pilots' " B " licences .. .. • • ■ ■ • ■ 77 Navigators' licences, second class .. .. • • • • 1 Ground engineers' licences .. .. • • • • 96 Registered aircraft .. .. ■ • ■ • • • .. 89 Certificates of airworthiness . . .. .. • ■ 63 Aerodrome licences .. .. .. • • • • .. 47 2. Aerodromes. The number of licensed aerodromes at 31st March, 1937, was forty-seven (forty public and seven temporary). Although the total number of aerodromes at the same date last year was the same (forty-seven) only thirty of these were public, and seventeen were temporary. In conjunction with the Aerodromes Branch of the Public Works Department, development-work has been carried out on a number of aerodromes already licensed, and on a number of new grounds, in order to provide the adequate landing and emergency-landing facilities necessitated by the development of internal air services and the general increase in the demand for air transport on the part of the public. Details of this development-work will be found under the appropriate headings in the report of the Minister of Public Works. 3. Meteorological Services. The increase in the amount of civil flying has made it necessary to provide special aviation weather forecasts. This work is being carried out in conjunction with the Meteorological Branch of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, and it is hoped that a satisfactory system of distributing accurate aviation weather reports will be developed. 4. Radio Services. The rapid development of civil air services has already created its own problems of radio communication and navigational assistance. In conjunction with the Post and Telegraph Department, consideration has been given to the provision of an organization to deal with these problems, and during the year an Aeradio Committee consisting of representatives of various technical departments was set up to advise on the establishment of an efficient, aeronautical radio service. 5. Aero Club Movement. In the twelve months ending 31st March, 1937, 178 pilots qualified for " A " licences, and of this number 110 were subsidized, the clubs receiving £3,550. In addition, a further sum of £1,446 10s. was paid on pilots renewing their licences, bringing the total subsidy to £4,996 10s. The amount voted was £5,000. In November, 1936, four Miles Magister aircraft were ordered for distribution to the aero clubs as loan machines. At 31st March, 1937, the Department had on loan five aircraft, which were issued during 1935 to the following clubs : Hawke's Bay and East Coast, Wairarapa and Ruahine, Wellington,. 2,— H. 19,

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Year. Military Forces. Aviation Total £ £ £ 1931-32 .. .. .. 156,311 26,663 182,974 1932-33 180,112 27,715 207,827 1933-34 .. 215,950 48,773 264,723 1934-35 .. .. .. •• •• 321,686 143,546 465,232 1935-36 .. .. .. •• 378,181 173,944 552,125 1936-37 .. .. .. •• •• 427,635 132,382 560,017