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have been received for the new equipment and are at
present being evaluated by the New Zealand Post Office.
Their recommendations will be forwarded to the Island
Council soon.
Equipment package had to be specially
designed which led to some delay.
BACKGROUND
The new equipment could, in the future, be adapted for use
as a radio-telephone, but this facility would create
many problems, not the least of which would be in
controlling its use and of charging.
AIRLINK
6. It has often been suggested that some form of air link
would ease Pitcairn's problems. However, there is
little available land for an airstrip. For that reason,
a seaplane service has also been suggested.
BACKGROUND
The possibility of a seaplane service or of constructing
an airstrip on Pitcairn Island is currently being re-considered.
If, as is hoped, the Hydraulics Research Station can
undertake a study of conditions around the jetty, they
will also be asked to gather wind/wave data with a view
to assessing the feasibility of a seaplane service.
eventually proves not to be feasible, then further
consideration will be given to undertaking a feasibility
study with a view to constructing an airstrip.
7.
If this
HMG has also received a proposal from Mr A M Ratlif,
a wealthy American farmer/businessman, who wishes to reside on
Henderson Island in the Pitcairn Group. In return he would
donate US$1 million to the Pitcairners and construct an airstrip
at cost to the islanders. The Island Council is attracted to
this offer and indicated during the Governor's visit last July,
that they were disposed to accept it, subject to certain
conditions.
8.
However, the proposal raises a number of complex
problems including that of policing Mr Ratliff's activities
and possible damage to the environment of Henderson Island,
which is an uninhabited raised coral atoll and has a number
of rare bird species. Various conservation groups
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