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6. Airport for Overseas Services The R.N.Z.A.F. station at Whenuapai continues to be utilized as an interim overseas airport, with Ohakea as an alternate. A certain amount of work, both to the buildings and to the surrounding areas, has been carried out, but expenditure is being kept to a minimum in view of the probable development of a new aerodrome for overseas services. The flying-boat base at Mechanics Bay, Auckland, continues to serve a similar function for marine craft, with Evans Bay as an alternate. 7. Pacific Aerodromes (a) International Airport, Fiji At Nadi Airport, on behalf of the other interested British Commonwealth Governments, New Zealand has continued to discharge the full responsibility for administration, operation, maintenance, and development. The future of this airport was clarified earlier in the year, when it was finally agreed that a new international airport should be built at Suva Point. When this is completed Nadi will be taken over by the Air Force. In the meantime, however, heavy expenditure will be required to maintain serviceability of the runways, and work to this end at an estimated cost this year of £165,000 is under way. During the past year the work carried out has been confined to maintenance and provision of staff accommodation. Detailed investigation of the proposed new site at Suva Point will commence shortly. (b) Other Pacific Aerodromes N.A.C. Regional Pacific Air Services have operated through Nadi and Nausori Aerodromes (Fiji), Faleolo Aerodrome (Samoa), Aitutaki and Rarotonga Aerodromes (Cook Group), and Fua'amotu Aerodrome (Tonga). Each of these aerodromes is under the administration of Air Department, with the New Zealand Ministry of Works undertaking maintenance and general improvements where necessary. No major works have been undertaken during the past year. SECTION lII—AERONAUTICAL ENGINEERING DIVISION 1. During the year the Division, under the Chief Aeronautical Engineer (Mr. E. F. Carpenter, A.F.R.Ae.S.), was organized into four Sections as follows : Engineering and Research. Field Surveys (including four district offices). Examinations and Approvals. Technical Administration. The technical staff of the Division was augmented by the following new appointees : Mr. W. H. Dunn, A.M.C.Tech. (Mech. Adm.), A.M.I.Mech.E., A.F.R.Ae.S., Senior Aeronautical Engineer in Charge of Power-plants and Associated Equipment. Mr. F. J. Thompson, B.Sc. (Mech.Eng.), D.I.C. (Aero), A.F.R.Ae.S., Senior Aeronautical Engineer in Charge of Airframes, Structures, and Associated Equipment. Mr. F. F. J. Butler, Surveyor, Grade I, in Charge of Defect Investigation. Mr. J. W. Scott, Surveyor, Grade I, Aircraft Surveyor. Mr. A. Brazier, A.F.R.Ae.S., Surveyor, Grade I, Aircraft Surveyor.

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