Notes From Thursday Island

Brighter Prospects for 1932 —Market for Marine Products Firms

From Our Own Correspondent

Thursday Island. Dec. 2.

THE December issue of the P.I.M. will reach here just about New Year, and we wish all local industries and resi dents a prosperous twelve months.

The year 1931 showed the marine indus tries of Torres Straits at a very low ebb, but, in spite of this, they have, kept going and have proved that they can be worked in bad times as well as good. Even with the greatly restricted output of M.O.P. and the uncertain prices offered for other pro ducts, the firms have been able to make ends meet though profits have been greatly re duced.

With this record behind us, it is possible to face the coming twelve months with a greater feeling of security than was evident at the commencement of the ’31 season, and there is reason to believe that the prospects for ’32, apart from the knowledge that the various industries are able to stand up to the prevailing depression, show an improve ment on those of last year.

In M.O.P., a small percentage of the boats that were laid up in 1931 will be recom missioned, beche-de-mer prices have in creased enormously, and trochus prices will probably again rise as the demand overtakes the supply.

All trochus shell will in future be inspected by an official of the Fisheries Department, as shell measuring less than 2½ inches across the base may not be collected. This regula tion is likely to decrease the catch to some

extent, but the advantage of conserving the young fish will outweigh this.

The surprise of the month of November was a sudden increase in the price of beche de-mer, as high as £90 being offered for chalk fish. The value of this commodity depends on the exchange rate of the Hong kong dollar, which is now worth nearly double its former value, and prices are likely to be maintained at a higher average than last year.

Pilots Busy.

A good deal of shipping has been passing through Torres Straits lately, and the pilots have been busy. A huge British-built float ing-dock, towed by two Dutch tugs, one at each forward angle, passed about the middle of November en route to Wellington. N.Z.

The dimensions of the dock, nearly 600 feet long and 170 feet wide, give some idea of the magnitude of the task of towing it half across the globe, and accounts for the length of the voyage, which began in July. A few years ago such an immense hull could not have got through the Suez Canal, but this has recently been widened. Pilot Wilson was entrusted with the work of navigating the huge structure down the Barrier passage.

The Cerissa recently arrived from San Francisco, via Queensland ports, to the agency of the Port Kennedy Co., and landed 1500 cases of kerosene and 300 cases motor spirit. She left for Lae and Rabaul.

In Aid Of Charity.

A large number of entertainments in aid of local charities have been held lately, and the promoters in each case have expressed satisfaction at the financial results.

The Roman Catholic bazaar, as usual,

proved an enjoyable affair, and was im proved by the facilities given to stroll about and have refreshments under the trees. An exhibit of paintings by a young Chinese teacher at the Hammond Island mission at tracted much attention, and it is evident that he possesses real talent. The various chari ties carried on by the Sisters of the Sacred Heart Convent will benefit to the extent of over £200.

A week later, a dance and sale of work organised by the ladies of the island was held at the Church of England Institute, and a further £20 will be added to the funds of the Anglican Church Schools of North Queensland.

A combined concert organised by the Town Band and the Country Women’s Association on November 27 proved that local talent is by no means wanting, and the large audience was delighted with the performance. It is to be hoped that concerts of this nature will be arranged more often, though they undoubtedly entail a good deal of work on the part of organisers and performers. The £40 made at the concert will be divided between the two institutions.

A Resolution For T.I

New Year resolutions are, at best, pretty fragile and rarely survive longer than the month of January.

We suggest, with all respect, that a reso lution to return borrowed books be made a feature of Thursday Island’s annual self communing, and that it be acted upon at once. It would doubtless cause great satis faction on T.I as well as other isolated places, where books are scarce and owners usually prize them.