Thursday Is. Notes.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Thursday Is., March 2.

TWO prominent Thursday Island families, noth descended from pioneers of the district, have lately left to settle in Southern Queens land. Mr. Jimmy Mills and his wife, late of the Metropole Hotel, both born on the Island, were the first to go, and now Mr. George Clarke, who was manager of Hodels for 24 years, and his family, are amongst the departing passengers by the “Changte.”

Both families will be missed, and a large circle of friends hope that their departure will not be completely final. With such confirmed “Wongai Eaters,” we fully expect that Thurs day Island will be the scene of future holidays at least. A farewell was tendered to Mr. and Mrs. Clarke by the Girls’ Friendly Society, and the former was entertained by the Municipal Council before leaving.

Mr. William Norgate. one of the finest and straightest men connected with Torres Straits, died during the early hours of the first day of March, aged 67. He was for many years, more from choice than necessity, head lighthouse keeper at Booby Island, and the name is insep arably connected with that rocky outlier of Aus tralia at the western entrance of the Straits.

We would like to extend our sympathy to Mrs.

Norgate and her family in their loss.