Thursday Is. Notes

Motor Car Boom Marine Products Fluctuate

From Our Own Correspondent

Thursday Is., July 30.

DESPITE the depression, Thursday

Island is still adding new motor vehicles to its list, and will soon rival Norfolk Island for the number of cars and trucks it has running about its somewhat limited length of streets, there being round about 40 on the island.

No one has yet invested in a sea plane, although this will be no doubt a development of the near future. One of the mission stations on the other side of the Gulf of Carpentaria, which sends its launch across from Arnheim Land to Thursday Island at periodic intervals, has just added an aeroplane to its equipment, but, so far, this has not made a flight to T.I.

Just recently Mornington Island had an outbreak of sickness, and the “fly ing doctor” from Cloncurry was able to ’plane across and give treatment.

Melbider Laid Up.

The Government ketch Melbider, which patrols Torres Straits Islands, is at present laid up with a broken pro peller. It is stated that a new propeller has to come from England, none being obtainable in Australia, and the delay will cause a good deal of inconvenience to the island officials and people. When the new Melbider came on the run, after a lengthy wait, it was thought that the islands would get a regular monthly visit, but circumstances have conspired to defeat this plan, and con sequently some of the officials and their families have been isolated for lengthy periods without any communication whatever.

After the recent visit of the Home Secretary and party, it was rumoured that the Government would be replac ing the recently-built motor ketch by another, but whether the intention will be carried out remains to be seen.

Pearl Shell Market Firmer.

Trochus shell has dropped again, after scaring to over £80. M.O.P. is a little firmer, and consequently most of the boats are working pearl shell again.

The trochus boats, which have been down the east coast, have come fur ther north, and are working round the island, as trochus is very scarce lower down. These are the cold months of the year, too, when the fish likes to dig in under the rocks, and its col lection under ordinary circumstances is not easy. Just now, a good deal of hard work is required to get a profit able catch.

Two Vessels Carried Off.

A local firm were unfortunate a little while back in having one of their cut ters carried off by a European, who had rented the boat and was working with a crew of Japanese and New Guinea boys. The cutter was last heard of somewhere up in the Phillipine Is lands, but it is an expensive business to get either the boat or the wrong doer so far distant and from the shelter of another flag.

About a month ago a valuable launch was stolen from Cairns by a knock about who took a couple of other hobos on board with him. The vessel was well equipped with oil, etc., and the three sailed her into Torres Straits, where an argument occurred at Naghir Island, and the leader dumped his two companions. They were brought in to T.I. by a native boat, and arrest ed on landing; but the leader cleared off towards Dutch New Guinea, where he no doubt hoped to be safe from pur suit.

So far, no further tidings have been heard of him or the launch, excepting that he landed at one of the western Torres Strait islands and obtained food supplies. The natives were suspicious of his movements and wanted the European officials to take some action, but there was no means of communi cation with the authorities at Thurs day Island, and it was only after the visit of the mission ketch that the people had intimation that their visi tor’s boat was not his own.

Personal Items.

The Bishop of Carpentaria (the Right Rev. S. H. Davies) has just com pleted a tour of the Torres Straits islands and some of the mainland mis sion stations in the ketch “Herald.”

He was accompanied by Mrs. Davies, who was making the visit for the first time, and was received everywhere with true native hospitality and wel come.

Some of the hospital staff are en joying a period of relaxation. The Surgeon-Superintendent, Dr. G. H.

Vernon, M.C., is taking a well-earned holiday and is being relieved by Dr.; Barton. The Matron (Sister Fisher) has gone on five months’ leave of ab sence her place being temporarily fill ed by Sister Grant.

New Shipping Line

The amalgamation between the N.Y.K. and O.S.K. lines would have resulted in a drop of freights, but that the new rates, based on the., adverse

exchange, came into operation at the same time. Southern freights will,

however, remain unchanged.

Thursday Islanders will rejoice to hear that there is a possibility of an

additional regular liner visiting the port

in the near future, though nothing

definite has been decided upon.

Important Ministerial Visit

The outstanding feature of the month here has been the visit of the Home Secretary and leading officials from Brisbane.

The party consisted of the Hon. Mr. J. C.

Peterson and Mrs. Peterson, Mr. J. A. C.

Kenny, the energetic State member for the electorate, Mr. W. H. Gall, C.M.G., Chief Under-Secretary, Mr. Bleakley, Chief Pro tector of Aboriginals, Mr. Ashby, secretary, and Mrs. Ashby.

The visit has been the more notable as it is 17 years since a Minister of the Crown has come here officially, and this naturally gave an opportunity for many outstanding matters to be discussed.

Amongst these, Council affairs take first place. A request for a grant for relief works was favourably received, and it is proposed to use this for repairs of roads not under the Council’s care, which have become neglect ed. A portion may also be applied to the build ing up of the sea walls along the water frontage, part of which has been completed this year. .

Assistance towards providing increased water storage in connection with the town supply was also brought up and a favourable ans wer given, but since the new wells have proved their usefulness further storage space may prove to be unnecessary.

The administration of the various island communities is a matter of great interest and importance to the permanent white residents of Thursday Island. The work of the Abo riginal Department has been eminently suc cessful and the island people are now con sidered by many competent judges to be fitted to develop more independently. Suggestions that island officials be given more authority and that less dependence on Thursday Island is required are by no means out of place and were listened to with interest by the visitors. The standard of education now afforded in the island schools is comparable with that of the rest of Queensland, which implies an ability on the part of the islanders to take their place as more normal citizens of the State than formerly. Mr. Bleakley is expected to return in September, when doubt less this matter will receive his attention.

The lack of facilities of a civilising nature —schooling, medical attention and organisa tion generally—afforded to some mainland aboriginals, was also pointed out, and it is hoped that the Department will set about providing for them and enable these backward tribes to reach the level of their kinsmen in the islands.

Mr. Peterson and Mr. Kenny spoke at a meeting in the Town Hall and their remarks were well received. Everyone is of the opinion that the visit of inspection will be of service to the district and those who rule it.

Besides the many social affairs held in honour of the party on Thursday Island itself, a comprehensive tour of the islands was made, which was thoroughly enjoyed. At every stopping place during the Melbidir’s voyage, a typical native welcome was accorded the party, dances being held and gifts pre sented by the islanders, and a return made by the ladies of the party. On the way home from Mapoon, which was the last place visited, a presentation to Captain Mortensen and the engineer, Mr. Woodhead, was made and reference made to the enjoyable way the trip was carried out.

Significant remarks to the effect that if only southern Queenslanders knew the re markable attractions of Torres Straits they would come here in hundreds for holiday making, were uttered by Mr. Peterson on leaving, and we can certainly, believe this to be true. Perhaps the Government party. having experienced the delights of the far north, may set the fashion.

Transfer Of Popular Bank

Manager

We have to report with regret the ap proaching departure of Mr. MacMahon, man ager of the Queensland National Bank, who with Mrs. MacMahon is being transferred else where after three months’ holiday. Both Mr. and Mrs. MacMahon will be missed from the island, but constant changes are the rule amongst officials here. Mr. Oswald, late manager at Nobby, near Toowoomba, has been appointed in Mr. Machon’s place.

Successful “Band Ball.”

The annual children’s fancy dress ball pro moted by the Town Band was, as usual, a thorough success. Originality was displayed in many of the costumes; in fact, consider ing that after all we are only a small com munity, the variety and splendid display made by the children compares well indeed with the centres of population south. Mr. E.

Vowels was again general organiser, and had the assistance of several enthusiastic ladies.

The hall was well decorated, the Town Band under Conductor Saranealis gave us some of its best music, and after the youngsters had had their grand march and some lively dances, followed by the presentation of prizes, the adults took the floor and completed what was a first-rate evening’s enjoyment.

The parents always enter heartily into this function; in fact, the “Band Ball” is one of the most popular events of the year. The funds benefited to the extent of about £27, which in these days of general tightness of cash, is not bad.