/
CYHBll T3LEGRAM
NEW ZEALAND
?rom the Government of Hew Zealand.
Bated 17th October, 1939-   deceived a.m., 17th October.
No. 186 Secret.
In the report of the Dofence Conference, Paragraph M>,
it was recommended that two landing grounds should be
established, one at Tongatabu and one in the Vavua group,
and that the Hew Zealand Government should make the necessary
preliminary suvery.     I ai:* advised that survey has now been
completed and a tenbitive estimate of the cost involved in the
construction of the Aerodrome at Tongatabu is twenty five
thousand five hundred pounds.     Plant now engaged at Pi^i
where Aerodrome work is nearing completion will be returned to
New Zealand, imt could be utilised at Tongatabu.     To avoid extra
shipping and other expenses His Majesty's Government in New
Zealand would be glad to know as soon as possible whether
Hie i.ajesty's Government In the United Kingdom consider that the
work at Tongatabu should hew be proceeded ;;lth, whether the cost
of constmiction will be contributed to by His majesty's
Government of United Kingdom and if representations will be
made   for assistance from the authorities* in Tonga.
SECRET.
? 2, A
EXTRACT FROM FIJI AND WESTERN PACIFIC HIOH COMMISSION
TERRITORIES.
INTELLIGENCE REPOPT.
(No. 1 Of 1939).
'    ^ART II.
4.    FANNING ISLAND DEFENCE.
During the visit of the m.v. "Moamoa" to Fanning
Inland exhaustive discussions regarding the defence of
the island took place between the Administrative Officer,
the Manager of Cable and Wireless, Limited, and the
Acting Resident Commissioner.
The basis of discussion was memoranda furnished
by the chief of the New Zealand General Staff outlining
defence measures for Fanning Island,
During the quarter under review the High Commissioner
appointed Mr, P.D. Macdonald, Administrative Officer,
Fanning Island, President of the Defence Force thus
enabling the formation of a Rifle Club, the institution of
Defence Force Drill, and the selection of observation
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posts and an evacuation camp.
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