Tourists for Torres

Straits Fascinating Islands Practically Unknown Queensland Minister Is Enthusiastic

From Our Own Correspondent

Thurs. Is., Oct. 15.

FOR more than fifteen years, no Ministerial inspection has been made of the native settlements in Torres Straits, but last month the

Queensland Minister (Mr. Peterson)

paid a visit to fifteen stations.

“I had no idea that Thursday Is land was surrounded by such beauti ful marine scenery, the view from

Garrison’s Hill ‘being magnificent.”

said Mr, Peterson. “The numerous islands, cosy beaches and blue and green waters held us spellbound.

“What is wrong with developing a tourist trade? Thursday Island has all that is necessary. Adjacent is lands lend themselves for the making of golf courses, bowling greens, etc.

Suitable launches could be made available to convey tourists to fishing grounds, reef trips and numerous marine beauty spots. I know this all means money, but someday sufficient enterprise wall be forthcoming, and when that day comes, the tourists from the cold South will realise what they have missed.

“For a start, I think the Chamber of Commerce should get moving in the direction of advertising their territory more. Even now the hotel accommodation is very good and if an initial effort were made to offer Southern tourists certain launch facilities at a reasonable cost, I am sure a number could be induced to come. These would, later, become good propagandists for the Torres Straits, and thus gradually Thursday Island would come into its own. The people there have shown enterprise in providing a good water supply, and for embarking upon an electric light scheme.”

“The islands visited were most picturesque,” said Mr. Peterson. “The beautiful coconut palm avenues, with the acalapha and croton nodding in between, were wonderful to behold.

The natives were profuse in their welcome, their dances being really splendid. Native dancing was different at every island and each had its own ritual. Good work has been accomplished by all concerned, some of the islands being veritable Gardens of Eden.

“What appealed to me most was the beau tiful singing of the natives at Mabuiag, I sincerely hope these native rites will always be preserved, despite the education they are receiving.

“These islands, particularly Murray Island, are worth going out of the beaten track to see—not only for marine and land beauty, but to note the wonderful physique of the men and women who live there.

“The people all seemed happy and with wise counsellors governing, they make as little unpleasantness as possible.

“What a pity all these beautiful islands are unknown from a tourist standpoint. With Thursday Island as a base, no better holiday could one have than to wander at leisure through these beautiful places.

“1 am of the opinion that we in the South do not know nearly enough about Thursday Island, and those adjacent to it.

That is our loss. Given enterprise, finance, grit and energy, there is no reason why Thursday Island should not become the source of much that is manufactured from pearl and other shells, and thus become an ex porter of the finished product.

“To secure this, it will be necessary to have Government sympathy and no restrict ive awards. With suitable skilled labour, thousands of pounds more can be made for Thursday Island, which money in its turn will make more work for tradesmen and others.

Ultimately, combined with a tourist trade, there is no reason why Thursday Island should not become a thriving outpost of the State of Queensland.”

Mr. Peterson's remarks are encouraging at a time when local enterprises tend to stagnate.

Probably a hundred travellers pass through Thursday Island every month; and some of these could be tempted to spend the few hours that are allowed ashore in thoroughly exploring the port instead of aimlessly wan dering around, unshepherded and at a loss to find out the spots of interest. Any plan to improve matters in this respect must necessarily be on a small scale at first.

Cars, or even lorries, could pick up pas sengers at the jetty, visit the Quetta cath edral, boat slips and pearling stores, and then drive round the charming military road to the back of the island, where small motor boats could meet them. From here there are plenty of spots, such as Hammond Island, Wai Weer or Friday Island, where fishing, followed by a picnic lunch, could be indulged in, and a return made in the launch to the vessel. The trip would make a memorable day’s outing, and voyagers would no longer be able to complain of hav ing nothing to do. Such day trips could be advertised on the steamers themselves, before arrival at Thursday Island, and no doubt

the ship’s officers would co-operate.

Mr. Peterson speaks of more distant voy ages around the Straits, to regions that many residents even have never visited, and his enthusiasm will be shared by those who follow his example. But to enjoy such a tour it is necessary to be a good sailor and, all of us are not gifted in that respect.