Kingman Reef
p. 41 · Read in the full issue
Base for Trans-Pacific Air Service
‘ <r pHERE have been many misleading statements concerning Baker, How land and Jarvis Islands,” said Mr. Harold Gatty, the aviator, who arrived in Sydney by the Mariposa on April 20. “Most of these statements were current at the time I visited the islands to survey them.
It was thought that they wei'e to be used as bases for the trans-Pacific air line.
“Actually the islands are useless for airports, and the only spot which will be used is Kingman Reef, midway between Honolulu and Pago Pago. As to the other islands Great Britain now acknowledges them as United States territory.”
Mr. Gatty stated that he was going to live in Australia, and would act as Aus tralian agent for Douglas air liners.
Mr. Edouard Mercian, a member of the Council-General of New Caledonia, and also an alderman of Noumea, arrived in Australia on a visit to Sydney by the April Laperouse.