Sardine Packing.

Promising New Industry In Torres Straits.

From Our Own Correspondent

Thursday Is., Oct. 31.

THE Murray Islands Fisheries Com pany, which has its headquarters on Dauar Island (one of the Murray Island group), in Torres Straits, at the

top of the Barrier, and which began operations towards the end of last year, reports steady progress.

The company was formed with the object of dry-preserving and exporting to the East the great shoals of sardines which make their habitat in these waters. There have been many diffi culties to overcome, not the least being the discovery of a successful method of packing the sardines so that they will stand frequent handling in transporta tion.

Mr. N. Lyons, manager of the com

pany, has lately returned from a trip to the East, made with the object of ex tending market operations, and also to get the packing methods as perfect as possible.

The sailing craft used for bringing the cargoes of the company’s products a distance of 125 miles to Thursday Island, where they are transhipped to the Eastern steamers, have proved un able to cope with the increased demands made upon them; and the “Trouba dour,” a 66 ft. auxiliary vessel, fitted with a 60 h.p. Fairbanks-Morse semi- Deisel engine, has just arrived at Thursday Island from Brisbane, where she was purchased by the company to take over the work. A 26 ft. launch, with a 15 h.p. Ailsa-Craig engine, also acquired by the company for general purposes round the islands, was un fortunately lost off Sandy Cape whilst in tow to the “Troubadour,” on the trip up to Thursday Island.

The settlement at Dauar has now taken on the appearance of a small township. The various drying sheds and other buildings occupy a conspicu ous position at the nor-west side of the island, and, in addition, there are the homes of the European staff, as well as quarters for the island em ployees, and innumerable rows of racks on which drying trays are placed for the sun-drying of the fish, A good deal of clearing and levelling had to be done before the buildings were erected. For coolness, plaited leaf walls (on sawn timber frames) have been largely used; the main buildings are of timber and iron, with concrete floors. The pickling vats are specially constructed to stand local conditions.

One difficulty lay in the shortage of fresh-water supplies, a considerable quantity being needed in the process: but this is also being got over by the application of scientific methods, so as

Part of the Company’s present staff on Dauar Island.

to make use of the sea water as much as possible.

Suitable machinery is being installed to operate the drying racks, on which are hundreds of trays which have to be brought in under shelter in the mini mum of time when weather conditions necessitate it.

The company is using Murray Island native labour, and so far report every satisfaction with their employees, who are showing a natural aptitude for and interest in the work. For the ad

jacent islanders the establishment of the fisheries has meant a good thing in wages, as well as enabling the boys to obtain work practically on the spot, in stead of having to go away from home for lengthy periods, which has not the best effect on family life.

It has been recognised for a long time that what the Straits needs is a greater development of home industries.

At the present time employment on the fishing boats, which may take them a long way from home, is the only thing, and although the islanders are used to a sea-faring life, it does not follow that every man is naturally a good swim diver or shell-getter.

Professor Goddard, Government Bi ologist at Brisbane, who spent some time at Murray Island last year in an advisory capacity, is expected up again shortly, when his scientific knowledge will be at the service of the newly-in augurated industry.

That the venture will prosper ex ceedingly is the earnest hope of all up this way, whether they happen to be directly interested in the company or not.

Drying racks at Dauar Island. Each rack contains from 2,000 to 3,000 sardines.