Enclosure in Western Pacific despatch
Secret of 4th March, 1939."
copy
f?Jf? Suva,
//' a8th February, 1939.
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HKW ZEALAHD PACIFIC AVIaTIOH SURVEY
SEDITION.
Your Excellency,
On return to Suva and prior to my de-
parture for New Zealand I mas instructed to
present to you a brief report on the expedition's
activities on the various islands visited both
within those island groups coming under the
administration of the Gilbert and Elliot Islands
Colony aa well as those visiteu wituin New
Zealand's sphere of influence. Unfortunately
with the great rush in which all of the expedi-
tion's work has been carried out it has been
impossible as yet to prepare any charts or maps
of the islands visited or supply, in accurate
form, any of the great amount of technical data
obtained.      w attached report il thtnftpl
¦•rely a brief description of general activities,
the islands visited, and ray opinion so far as I
have yet been able to form one, of their potential
value for military and civil aviation.    A more
exact
His Excellency
The High Commissioner for the
Western Pacific.

exact and detailed technical report complete with
maps and o titer data, *iil no doubt be supplied from
Nev* Zealand at a later date should you so desire.
In conclusion My I thank you personally
for- the very great assistance that has been given
to the expedition throughout its sojourn in tie
Pacific not only by yourself but by the Secretary
to the High Commission, the Colonial Secretary
and the members of the staffs coming under' those
Uo gentlemen.     1 would like to edd that the
service of the personnel loaneu to the expedition
from the Fijian Administration was satisfactory.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your Excellency's most
obedient servant,
(Signed) E.A. Gibson,
Squadron-Leader,
Royal New Zealand Air Force,