Ministerial Party at Thursday

Torres Strait Notes

Ministerial Party at Thursday Island

From Our Own Correspondent,

Thursday Island, July 7.

THE Ministerial party have recently left the Island after their tour round the Torres Strait Islands, and have gone down the Gulf of Carpentaria, visiting all the centres of native population before re turning to Brisbane. The party consisted of the Home Secretary for Queensland (the Hon. E. Hanlon), the Under-Secre tary of State (Mr. Gall), the Chief Pro tector of Aboriginals (Mr. Bleakley), Mr.

Hanlon’s brother, and also his private secretary.

At the civic welcome accorded him on Thurday Island, the Hon. E. Hanlon ex pressed himself as being very pleased and satisfied with what he saw on his tour. A catamaran race at Saibai Island, off the New Guinea coast, afforded much amusement and a unique spectacle for the distinguished visitors.

Bishop Stephen Davies, the Anglican Bishop of Carpentaria, is now on a long: episcopal tour, finishing up at Alice Springs in Central Australia. The Rev.

Percy Smith is stationed there.

Wild duck are now plentiful in the swamps at the top of Cape York Penin sula. The frequent shooting parties that go over to the mainland report good sport.

The Chinese junk Fou Po II. has again been in the harbour after losing all her anchors on one of the reefs. Captain de Bischopp (of the French Geographical Society), who is in charge, is a welcome visitor here, and very popular with his stories. He is now proceeding with his. investigations of the counter equatorial currents.

Mr. Charles Ralph Cook has this week, returned to the Lockhart River Mission, taking with him his bride, who was for merly Miss Doris May Turner, of Wani gela, Papua. They were married in the Quetta Memorial Cathedral by the Sub dean, Rev. W. Burvill, in the presence of a large and interested gathering. A short honeymoon was spent on Prince of Wales Island at the C.W.A. cottage.