Thursday Is. Notes.

Last of the Barracks.

From Our Own Correspondent.

THURSDAY ISLAND, December 12.

THE “Mangola” took away the first consign ment of materials from the demolished mili tary barracks last week, for re-erection at Darwin.

The work of demolition is still proceeding.

One effect of the removal of the garrison is that the Town Council expect to make arrangements for taking over the big concrete tanks which furnished the water supply, to help its own reservoir in supplying the requirements of the town and of visiting ships. At present the local reservoir is right down, and water supplies have been cut off rather earlier than usual.

Museum Wanted.

At the last meeting of the local branch of the Royal Geographical Society, the question of establishing a museum, which has been discussed for some time, was again brought up. and the Committee is endeavouring to find out whether it is possible to proceed with the erection of a suitable building.

It has been suggested that the Town Council take the matter in hand, and come to an arrange ment with the Society whereby thhe museum building would also be available for geographical society purposes. There are several private collections in the town, and the Town Council possesses a number of interesting and valuable curios which have been homeless for a long time; and if a suitable building were put up, quite a good collection of exhibits could be got together..

The R.G.S.A. also possesses a collection of books and documents relating to the early history of the North, which it desires to make available to visitors who may be interested, and for this purpose, too, the proposed building would be of service. The School of Arts library, which also contains some valuable historic works, is overcrowded, and cannot give the additional space required.

One of the events of the year to which every one looks forward is the annual State school picnic. As usual, the outing held at Prince of Wales Island was again a thorough success, and the band of willing workers who assisted the secretary of the committee (Mr. E. H. Vowells) and the head teacher (Mr. H. T. Finter) are to be congratulated on the success of the outing.

Price Of Trocas.

The last ship for China took about 50 tons of trocas. The price is still about £80.

The deaths occurred recently of two former Thursday Island residents, who have been living further south. Mr. Abi. Murray, who some years ago practised as a solicitor in T.I. and afterwards removed to Cairns, died suddenly; and Mr. F. Rotten, who, during the early part of the War, was censor at T.I., also passed away.

Good Rains.

An early burst of nor’-west weather in Novem ber brought in good rains over Thursday Island and most of the Torres Strait islands. Again in the first week in December good rains have fallen and have been timely in the replenishing of tanks and water supplies. Local sportsmen who visit the swamps duck-shooting also hailed the arrival of rain—and ducks!