AT FANNING ISLAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 81, 30 October 1939, Page 5

AT FANNING ISLAND

LOCAL RESIDENT'S LETTER SERVICE WITH SPECIAL FORCE A letter has been received by his parents Mr and Mrs Schick of Mat- ; ata, from Mr E. A. (Archie) Schick who left two days before war broke out Avith a special force of 30 men for a destination, vaguely given as 'Somewhere in" the Pacific.' As the letter has been duly censored in the usual manner, there can be no harm in publishing for the benefit of his friends in the district, some of its contents. Incidentally the letter took just on a month to reach Matata.

The men he states, -were given just one hour's notice, before thej* sailed and on the -whole -were most curious as to just where they were hound. The voyage was most pleasant lasting six days. They landed on the island in whaLers, the natives there attending to the unloading operations which would have presented a problem owing to she great heat. >:ativc huts were also constructed for the use of the men. all of whom are in the pink and are thoroughly enjoying their stay. This however is likely to be brought to an abrupt end as orders have just been received for the troops to stand by for embarkation to Now Zealand in order to join up with the expeditionarj- force. Who will .then be responsible for guarding the important cable station is not lqiown. but ,naturally all adequate measures will be ;; ,taken to ensure its safety.