H—37

(d) Miscellaneous Instructional Booklets. —These publications are issued from time to time as permanent instructional manuals for meteorological observers, voluntary observers, aviation interests, and others concerned with current procedures in the routine operation of the Meteorological Service. Five of these were published during the year. (e) Instructional Circulars. —These cover all necessary instructions to branch offices. Circulars 92 to 122 were issued during the year. Accommodation and Staff Accommodation. —Attendance at Meteorological Offices is on a twenty-four hour basis and involves night shifts and work at week-ends. This creates serious transport difficulties where the offices are situated in remote localities. In 1946 approval in principle was given to a proposal for providing a limited number of dwellings for married personnel at stations which are some distance from main centres of population. Progress with the scheme initially was slow, but during the year under review one house at Paraparaumu and two flats at each of the aerodromes at New Plymouth, Harewood, and Taieri have been occupied. A new Air Traffic Control and Meteorological Office has been built at Kaitaia Aerodrome, and some renovations have been made in the forecasting office at Mechanics Bay. A start has been made on the construction of improved quarters for the Meteorological Office at Taieri Aerodrome and plans are being prepared for a new office at Invercargill aerodrome to house radiosonde and radar-wind equipment. An extension of the Head Office of the Meteorological Service at Kelburn is urgently required and has already been approved in principle. During the war the office expanded into a number of temporary huts alongside the main building, some of which are on City Council property. The existing space is already severely overtaxed, and until relief can be provided by means of an addition to the main building it will be impossible to vacate the huts. The Ministry of Works has been requested to prepare plans for a suitable permanent addition to the Head Office building. Staff. —During the year there has been little improvement in the staffing position, and the Service continues to operate well below the approved establishment. Comparative figures are shown in the following table —

Of the thirty-eight professional officers, two are Pan-American World Airways forecasters on temporary attachment to this Service, and three are recently appointed graduates just starting their initial training. Two of our senior officers are pursuing advanced studies overseas. Mr. J. F. Gabites, Officer in Charge of Aviation Forecasting Services, was awarded a Commonwealth Fund Fellowship and is working at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Mr. E. H. Howell, Officer in Charge of General Forecasting at Wellington, received a rehabilitation bursary and is taking an advanced course in meteorology at London University. As a temporary expedient occasioned by the absence of the Officer in Charge of Aviation Forecasting, his position and that of the Principal Meteorologist (Islands) were combined by the transfer of the latter officer from Suva to Head Office in September, 1948.

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— Approved Establishment. Strength at 31st March, 1949. Strength at 31st March, 1948. Professional officers Observers 48 168 38 127 36 114