Enclosure No.I. in Western Pacific despatch secret
_   ncT  of 30th October, 1936.
Sfc.GKfc.1.
OOl'Y.
SUBJECT.
Report on Pacific Islands visited by H.M. Ships
"Achilles", "•Leith" and "Wellington".
From   THE COMMODORE OUM ANDING NEW ZEALAND STATION.
H.M.S. "DUNEDIN",
at Auckland.
Date: 14th October, 1936.'       No. N.Z. 26/8808.
To.    The Secretary of-the Admiralty, London.
Admiralty signals 2214 of a8th April, 1936;
Formers. 2029 of 25th May, 1936; 2030 of 25th Lay.
1936; 1745 of 10th July, 1936 and ^153of
17th July, 1936.
Herewith is forwarded one copy of each of
the following:-
(i) Report of Aerial Survey of Islands visited
ny H.M.S. "Achilles". ("Achilles'"
No.1585/138 dated 2nd October, 1936).
(ii) Report on Islands visited by H.K.S. "Leith"
in the Gilbert, Ellice, Phoenix Groups
and Nev, Hebrides. (^iUi's" No.001
dated 17th August, 1936, and Mo* 13 dated
25th September, 1936).
(iii) Report on Islands visited by KJMU
Wellington".   ("Wellington's" No.018
dated 25th September, 1936).
As a result of a study of the above reports,
and with a view to selecting the most probable route !
that an air service connecting New Zealand and
Canada should take, the following points stand out* ;
S.   > ith the present performance of aircraft, I
and probably for some year I to come, Honolulu will
be an essential port of call for a Transpacific !
service.
4. Between Honolulu and New Zeal&nd there are
several possible routes, and as Fiji is the most
important group of islands, both commercially and
strategically on this line it is considered essential
that any British Air Line should call at :,uva (or
suitable place near Suva).
5. Between New Zealand and FIJI, there are no
suitable ii rbours (Norfolk Island and the lerwadecs j
being useless) except possibly Minerva Reefs (vide
report of~H.M.S. "AcMiles") which are situated some
distance off the direct route.
6. Between Honolulu and Fiji, probably two
refuelling bases would be required, as nearly equi-
distant as possible, one lying in the Phoenix or
Union Groups and one in the kinginan Reef to Christaas
Island area.
In the former groups there appear  to be two
possibilities - Hull Island in tiie Phoenix Uroup and
Nukunono in the Union or Tokelau Group.   Neither of
these islands possess an ;*nchorage for ships nor do
they possess an inlet, suitable for small craft, into
their
their lagoons, but from reports it appears that a
passage for small craft could be blasted through the
reef v,ithd>ut much difficulty,   hull Island has a few
coral pinnacles in the lagoon which show clearly
in the photographs.   Nukunono probably has the same
drawback but this lagoon was not photographed by
"Achilles" owing to the bad weather conditions pre-
vailing at the time of her visit.
In the latter area, Kingman Reef and Christmas
island appear suitable.   Kingman Reef is more nearly
on the direct route, but Christjnas Island is a
British Possession and is probably equally good, if
not better, as it is inhabited, and buildings can be
erected ashore; wiiereas at Kingman Reef a depot ship
would be required.
Fanning Island lagoon is apparently much too
small to be of any use, without considerable blasting.
7. It is not considered that Samoa, though
fairly well placed geographically, has any suitable
harbour for use as an air base.
8. The Tonga Group possesses suitable harbours -
Nukualofa in particular being ideal.   'Fhe Group is
situated about the same distance from New Zealand 1
as Fiji, but lias little commercial value.
9. The conclusion is reached that the best
route from New Zealand to Honolulu would run via
Suva, hull or Nuk mono, Christmas Island or Kingman
Reef.
10. Other xuciflc Islands.
The remarks on the other islands visited by
H.
- 4.-
U.H, Ships "i.eith" and "Wellington" are of Interest.
It vdll be observed that the. Gilbert and Ellice
Islands have several suitable places far flying j
bases v,hich, in conjunction *ith the Fiji islands,
may be of considerable strategic value in the
future, though of no commercial value at present.
11. It is also of interest to note tue
remarks of the Comnianding Officer of the "Welling-
ton" about Tahitien labour in British Islands, and •
it is not unlikely that the same restrictions *ill
be applied to Christmas Island in the near future.
12. Copies of these reports are being for-
warded to the Naval Board, Wellington, for the
fie* Zealand Government and to the High Commissioner
for tiie v-estern Pacific.
Large scale photographs taken by "Achilles"
are being forwarded direct to the Admiralty.
13. It is pointed out tiiat the present
Uon&anding officers of Nl*£th* and "Wellington"
(Captain Q. Bevir and Commander J.B.E. hall) will
be returning to the United Kingdom early in 1937
and will be available to give information on trie
majority of the Pacific Islands on toe Wew Zealand
tetion vhich they have personally visited.
(Signed) E.R. HSIM OW
- .;, REAR ADMIRAL.
Enclosures
1. "Achillest,; i:o. 1585/138 of and October,
1936.
2. "Leith's" No.001 of 17th August, 1936.
K   "iieith's* wo. 13 of ii>th Septeiitber. 1936.
4.   "Wellington's" No.018 of 25tti September,