Another Pacific
p. 16 · Read in the full issue
Plane Servio
NG-BSI-Nauru-Gilberts
BY running planes under chartt to the Administrations coic cerned, Qantas Empire AL ways propose to pfovide a more , less regular land-plane service, ft mails and passengers, between Ll (New Guinea), Honiara (Britiii Solomon Islands), Nauru, au Tarawa (headquarters of tfl Gilbert and Ellice Colony).
The first plane in this service leJ early in November, carrying Auc tralian Territories Minister HaslU'i and an official party to Nauru. It flew from Lae, via Honiara, Nauru; but not, apparently, on Tarawa—although the Administn tion at Tarawa had been at pair to prepare the big airstrip « Bokini (one of the islets of tfl Tarawa atoll) for the expecttf arrival.
Western Pacific High Commissid is being divorced from Fiji. If tld Territories concerned are not addit to Australian administration, tfl new headquarters will be Honiara (BSD, whence Solonur Islands and Gilbert and ElliiJ Colony will be governed. (Sc article elsewhere).
The new air service then worn be of immense help to WPHC providing communication betweis Honiara and Tarawa.
Ocean Island is the most ini portant section of the G & Colony. The plane from Nauru Tarawa flies right over Ocejs Island, but cannot land there bcf cause there is no air strip, Perhae that can be remedied.
Caroline and Marshall Islam (American Trust Territory) hae just been added to the geographioi scope of the South Pacific Cone mission. There will be closer coo nection now between Micronesia ai£ the South. The new Qantas servh could be very easily extended cover the main centres in Carolina Marshalls and Guam.
It is a matter for the Goven; ments concerned. They are charted ing the planes. So far, the n»r route is not a Qantas enterprise. 3