Cation.

Wireless Communi

Government interested in T. I.

Scheme.

FOLLOWING an article some months ago in “The Pacific Islands Monthly” regarding wireless for Torres Straits Islands, it is interesting to know that the matter of endeavouring to provide some means of communication for the islands of Torres Strait has not been allowed to drop.

For some time past, the project has been engaging the minds of various members of the Missions, who have in terests in the region; and through them it was brought to the notice of the Aboriginal Department and the Home Secretary, with the idea of promoting better facilities, both for the isolated European government officials and for the native communities, with whom it is desirable to establish rapid communi cation, especially in time of sickness.

Lack of funds has held the Govern ment’s hand so far: although probably the equipment all told for the Islands would not run into much more than £1,000. Still, in these days that repre sents a good deal. On the other hand, quite possibly a large proportion of that amount might be returned.

As an instance of how the installa tion of wireless would have saved a considerable expenditure in time and money, there was the case of the man who absconded from Cairns last year with another person’s launch (and who has just been sentenced to a term of imprisonment). Making up through Torres Strait in an effort to evade jus tice, he called at an island about 50 miles from T.I., for food, etc. The sus picions of the Government official there were aroused, but, there being no com munication with T.I, he could do noth ing. The arrival of a mission boat a couple of days later brought news of the deed, but, although the runaway was just then within sight and could have been captured by the police party had it been sent out from Thursday Is land, lack of communication allowed him to get right away to Dutch New Guinea, from where he was recently brought back by the Queensland authorities at considerable cost.

It is in case of serious illness that the installation of a scheme would prove a great boon, however. On one island recently, where the official and his family are 120 odd miles from the nearest medical assistance at T.I., the infant child became sick. The island fishing boats were all away at work — they go away often for two or three months at a time —and there was no available communication with the outer world. This is but one instance.

More than once the kindly offices of Japanese on a passing fishing lugger have been sought and given, for the conveyance of sick to Thursday Island, but officials quite rightly feel that they ought not to be under obligation in this way; and quite apart from this, it is hardly to be expected that a boat will be always found passing along at the very moment when she may be of service.

The proposals, so far discussed, have centred round the possible installation of “Baby Wireless” sets, on the lines of those used by the Australian Inland Mission in connection with their “Flying Doctor” scheme: or, alternatively, small transmitting and receiving sets of the type which the A.W.A. supply. It is considered that facilities would be readily given for the use of the wire less station at Thursday Island as a “Mother Station,” though, of course, there would require to be a definite ar rangement between the various persons or bodies responsible for the working of the sets. It would certainly be ad vantageous if the whole system could be worked by and under control of one organisation.

As is well-known, the “Baby Wire less” sets which have already so well demonstrated their value in the outback portions of Australia are the invention of a young man named Alfred Traegar, of Adelaide.

Now this genius is (according to Ion Idriess in his recent book, “Flynn of the Inland”) working on a new inven tion, a wireless set that will be as simple and as efficient as a telephone.

It will be light and portable, so that a child can carry it; there will be no difficulty in installing it; it will do away with all necessity for training in operation: and is to be quite cheap. It will send out a written message like a typewriter, and send out Morse auto matically, and its receiver is as reliable as the most efficient telephone service.

The inventor has registered the key board with the Postmaster-General.

Possibly this, if Mr. Traegar is suc cessful in his quest, will prove to be the machine that will suit requirements, and it is to be hoped that some arrange ment will be made with the inventor, and those responsible with him for the production of the wonder-machine, for its use to be extended to these parts.

Such a machine should also be adapt able to small steamers and other craft, which do not at present carry wireless, and could be installed on lighthouse stations, such as Booby Island, which are isolated.

Booby Island, 30 miles west of T. I., uses the helio, as its means of com munication, but in thick weather this is useless, and some while back, when a serious accident occurred to a member of one of the families on the station, unsuccessful efforts were made to “flash” Thursday Island, news being eventually received through a passing steamer, which the lightkeeper man aged to signal.

The development of Mr. Traegar’s latest idea will be watched with pro found interest. —W.H.M.