Restrictions Waived.

Overseas Ships on East Coast.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Thursday Is., Dec. 12.

A FEW months ago, a small boat which was bringing a sick man into hos pital at Thursday Island from a place two hundred miles down the east coast, hailed a passing overseas steamer which was bound northwards and asked it to take on the patient to save time and for greater comfort. The captain, bound by the restrictions of the Navi gation Act, was regretfully unable to accede to the request.

The Bishop of Carpentaria has since made representations to the Common wealth Government, asking that over seas vessels be allowed to accede to similar requests.

The Federal Member, Mr. G. W. Mar tens, who took up the matter with the departments concerned has written to the Bishop stating that the Department of Trade and Customs will not raise ob jections to vessels picking up sick people north of Cooktown for convey ance to Thursday Island.

The quarantine authorities state that there is nothing in law to prevent a sick person being taken on board an out ward bound vessel, but the master must report the case if quarantinable or infec tious, on arrival at Thursday Island.

Under the Navigation Act, a technical breach would be committed; but under such special circumstances no prosecu tion would be likely to follow. Consid eration is being given by the Depart ment to an amendment in the Act to provide for cases of this kind. The Torres Strait Pilot Service has been advised, so that the pilots can inform masters of overseas ships as to the posi tion.