This was acknowledged in an interview by the Chief of Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal L. M. Isitt).

"Taieri has been a happy and most successful station." he said. "Everyone who has passed through it has had reason to appreciate the interest of Otago people and the warmth of their hospitality. In return, Taieri has contributed much to the community. The closing of the station means that the Dominion's air strength has reached a strong position, and for that reason it will be welcomed generally. There is cause for regret in other ways. I take the opportunity of expressing the thanks of all Taieri personnel, past and present, to the people of Otago, for the keen interest which they have always taken in the station."

2,790 PUPILS — 17O,OOO HOURS
There has been great development at Taieri since the days when the Otago Aero Club started an air school and incidentally, produced among its trainees one of New Zealand's most distinguished airmen—Wing-commander T.O. Freeman, .D.S.O., D.F.C. of Dunedin.

It was converted to service training immediately war broke out. and it became No. 1 Elementary Flying Training School on October 20, 1939, under the command of Squadron-leader G. L. Stedman. When it was closed down in that capacity, on October 14, 1944, 2.790 pupils had done their elementary flying in the little Tiger Moth trainers, which were a common sight over the Taieri Plain and the city.

The school's total flying record was about 170,000 hours, of which 5,490 were spent in night flying. Throughout that time there were seven fatal accidents, involving the death of 11 personnel.

Within a week of the closing down of No. 1 E.F.T.S., the Grading School, a promising innovation in R.N.Z.A.F.  training policy, was officially opened, and, with the Initial Training Wing, kept Taieri's resources fully employed until it became possible to review service commitments and put an end to recruiting. The fact that the first all A.T.C. course had passed through the school by that time is an indication of the great progress made by the Dominion's' training scheme.

FAMOUS NAMES
Many names famous in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and the Royal Air Force are associated with Taieri. Those of Squadron-leader (now Wing-commander) Stedman, who combined the duties of commanding officer and chief ground instructor, and Flying-officer (now Squadron-leader) A W. Burbidge the first chief flying instructor, were so well established in New Zealand flying circles that the station was assured of a good start. All but one of the original team of living instructors were aero club products.

Courses varied in size, but they went through steadily, and results were excellent from the beginning. The first course, of 16 acting pilot officrs, included J. A. Oldfield, now Wing-commander Oldfield, D.F.C., with a distinguished operational record to his credit.

Wing-commander G D. Sise, D.S.O, D.F.C, of Dunedin. a brilliant young airman, passed out with course 2 in January, 1940. Four graduates of course 8 completed in June. 1940. brought Distinguished Flying Crosses to the school's roll of honour.

New Zealand's V.C. winner, Sergeant J. A Ward left Taieri in September. 1940, and among his companions in course 3A were the future Wing-commander J F Barron. D.S.O., D.F.C., D.F.M. and Flight-lieutenant J. B Starkey. D.S.0., D.F.C.

Squadron Leader Leonard Trent, also a VC winner, began his flying training at the OAC in the late 1930's

So the story went on. Wing-commander J. M. Checketts. D.S.0., D.F.C. was one of the nine members of course 7A to have honours ahead of him, and among the graduates of course 8A, who were to win 14 decorations between them, were Flight-lieutenant R. B. Hesselyn, D.F.C. D.F.M., and Flight-lieutenant A. E. Umbers, D.F.C. and bar.

One of the most interesting careers to begin at Taieri is that of the recent commanding officer of the station. Wing-commander W. R. Kofoed, D.S.0., D.F.C. L.A.C. Kofoed did his first solo flight at Taieri in January, 1941, and after four years of operational experience in the United Kingdom, Europe, and the Middle East, he returned to the station as commanding officer in November, 1944.

Still another Taieri name to become prominent, this time highly prominent in the councils of the R.N.Z.A.F., was that of Flight-lieutenant R. B. Bannerman. D.F.C. and bar, a distinguished veteran of 1914-18. who was chief ground instructor from November, 1940, to May, 1941. Air-commodore Bannerman, C.B.E., D.F.C. and bar. A.D.C., is now a member of the Air. Board as Air Force Member for Personnel.

PREPARING FOR JAPANESE
Two important events, widely different in character, in the early history of the station were the arrival in November, 1941, of the first members of the W.A.A.F. — a party of 61 on a very rainy Taieri day — and Japan's entry into the war on December 7, 1941. The latter happening, of course, caused considerable re-organisation of the service as a whole. At Taieri aerodrome protection measures and patrols were introduced immediately.

At the beginning of 1942, the 41st Light Bomber Squadron, an extraordinary unit, came into existence. Tiger Moths were fitted with racks to carry 20lb bombs, and dive-bombing was practised. Long-range auxiliary tanks made it possible for coastal patrols to be undertaken, and the unit showed its mettle at least on one occasion.

In September. 1942, an unidentified vessel was reported off the coast, and for the first time on record, Tiger Moths were briefed for interception duties. The vessel was found; but it established its identity as a New Zealand freighter and the Tigers did not have the chance to demonstrate their prowess.

At different times during that period Taieri was used as a base for the operations, of Baffins from No. 3 G.R. Squadron. and Hudsons from No. 2 G.R. Squadron.

A.T.C. AND A.D.U.
In July, 1942, the first batch of A.T.C. cadets arrived to enter the Aerodrome Defence Unit, the first squadron of which was formed in that month.

The A.D.U. at Taieri was disbanded in March, 1943, and was replaced by No. 307 Elementary Ground Training School, composed of 200 ex A.T.C. cadets. The final E.G.T.S. draft left for the Advanced Ground Training Wing, Delta, in November, 1943. No. 1 Technical Education School had been established a month earlier, and its last draft, left for the Preliminary Technical Training School, then at Rongotai, in March, 1944.

Flying training went on steadily throughout this period. The future of the station was in doubt toward the end of 1944, but the decision to establish the grading school there, along with the Initial Training Wing, brought new life to Taieri: The air was still filled with the little, yellow trainers, and the station remained busy and important.

The original commanding officer, Squadron-leader Stedman, saw Taieri well on its feet before he was posted to Rongotai in January. 1942. Wing-commander R. J. Sinclair, who took over from him, was succeeded three months later by Squadron-leader, A. C. Parsons, and then came Squadron-leader (now Wing-commander) S. L. Gilkison and Squadron-leader P. A. Matheson, each of whom filled the post for a year. Wing-commander Kofoed was at the head of an experienced and most efficient administrative team during the last chapter of the station's wartime service history.

MANY ACTIVITIES
In association with its purely service functions, Taieri became a name well known in Otago sports, social, and patriotic activities. Teams have been prominent in various Dunedin athletic competitions. A choir, an orchestra, and revue parties have entertained many audiences, and parades and demonstrations have been features of patriotic functions.

Dunedin people will remember when a Tiger Moth taxied through the main streets of the city with a truck "in tow" — to keep its tail down. Many other events, grave and gay, have gone into the building of Taieri's traditions. They are proud traditions indeed. Many of the men who helped to build them have given their lives for their country and their ideals. They can never be forgotten, any more than Taieri will be forgotten by those who learned to fly there or by those people of Dunedin and Otago who have always taken such an active interest in the welfare of the station and its personnel.

AERODROME BUILDINGS AND THEIR FUTURE USE
"Is it premature to suggest that we should write to the Government to see what its intentions are regarding the future of the buildings at the Taieri aerodrome?" asked Mr. L. M. Wright at a meeting of the City of Dunedin Development Council yesterday. Mr. Wright said that the buildings would provide valuable factory space. The Mayor (Mr. D. C. Cameron) said that Mr. Wright's suggestion was worth keeping in mind, but he pointed out that while the Taieri aerodrome would not be used for flying he had been informed that it would be used for engineering and repair work for a long time. He had been told that 150 engineers and mechanics would be employed there for at least two years to come.