COASTAL DEFENCES
DEVELOPMENTS AT AUCKLAND. ERECTION OF FORTIFICATIONS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Auckland, April 17. ? An important further development in the Government’s plans for reorganising the coast defences of Auckland, the erection of fortifications on Motutapu Island, is under consideration. A visit was paid to the island by the Minister of Defence, Mr. J. G. Cobbe, in company with Major-General Sinclair Burgess, general officer commanding the New Zealand forces, Lieut.-Colonel Puttic, quartermaster-general, and Major Parkinson, commanding the Royal New Zealand Artillery. The Minister inspected*"'certain parts of the island and conferred with Mrs. Reid, Home Bay, who holds a life interest in the greater part of the property. The Crown already owns certain land upon Motutapu, but it is understood the scheme being considered involves the acquiring of other areas privately owned. Mr. Cobbe said he could not give any details of the proposals, which had not. yet been approved by the Cabinet. “They are, of course, connected with the Government’s plans for modernising coast defences,” he .“and, so far as the port and city of\Auckland are concerned, to provide for close , defence and counter-bombardment 'protection. “Cabinet, decided some time ago _to bring the Dominion’s defences into line with what is being done in the ports of other countries, notably Australia, and with the money voted by Parliament for the purpose the plans of the Government are being pursued without any slackening of effort. The work now going on at the Hobsonville air base, at Narrow Neck and at Fort Dorset, Wellington, is all part of the scheme,” toneluded the Minister. It is stated that the Government is - spending approximately £BOOO on new fortifications and buildings. at Narrow Neck.
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Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1935, Page 5
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277COASTAL DEFENCES Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1935, Page 5
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