Mysterious Craft.

Thought To Be Poaching.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Thursday Is., Oct. 10.

DURING August, several islands in Torres Strait reported the visit of a strange launch, about 60 feet long, carrying half-a-dozen small boats fitted with sails of Eastern type and manned by a crew of Japanese.

The vessel anchored off some islands, while the men worked over the neigh bouring reefs, and at one place water was taken on.

The mysterious craft is thought to be a poaching outfit. She is fitted with a powerful engine, which is very loud in operation, and she has a collapsible mast.