Thursday Island

Notes

Japanese Sampan Intercepted

From Our Own Correspondent.

Thurs. Is., Nov. 1.

ANOTHER Japanese sampan, which was intercepted at Booby Island, was brought into the harbor recently in order to enquire whether she was in these waters upon her lawful business. After investigations had been made she was allowed to proceed upon her journey. As she was well loaded up with stocks of crude oil for her 60 h.p. diesel engines, it is easy to surmise that she will carry away from the Great Barrier Reef a use ful quantity of marine produce. This will doubtless be sold to undercut the local market, maintained by Australian pearl shelters, who are more or less cheerfully paying heavy licence fees and taxes . . for what?

Two other sampans landed on the re serve controlled by the Anglican Lockhart River Mission, between Cape Direction and Cape Grenville, a few weeks ago for wood and water supplies.

Another sampan called at Possession Island, where Captain Cook hoisted the flag in his explorations of 1770. She is alleged to have taken aboard for “ballast” a quantity of gold ore that a prospector had been diligently collecting from the old workings.

Attacked By Shark

A young Yam Islander was brought in to the Torres Strait Hospital the other day suffering from an attack by a shark. His arm was badly torn, but the victim is making splendid progress.

Photos of Treacle, the native whose head was once in a shark’s mouth, are still being sold as curiosities. Treacle gouged the eyes of the shark with his thumb until it released him! He had the marks of the shark’s teeth on his throat until he died.

New Councillor

Mr. Robert Fergusson has been elected to the Town Council to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Alderman Broadbent. As his father served on the council for about 20 years, Mr. Fergusson would do well if he “followed in father’s footsteps” in every respect.

The Council is a busy body with many activities, so that the Mayor and Aldermen deserve the thanks and gratitude of all the citizens in the township. The Mayor has had a very long ser vice.

T.I.’S Oldest Inhabitant

Thursday Island’s oldest inhabitant had a birth day recently, making his score 83 not out. He can still see to read without the use of spectacles.

The G.O.M. is Captain Noelke, who was well known up and down the coast in his active days.

His memory of dates and facts is extraordinary, so that his head is better than a diary.

R.C. Jubilee Year

This is the Jubilee Year of the R.C. Mission of the Sacred Heart, and it is being observed locally A successful bazaar was held in the Con vent School and grounds, and the Town Hall was hired for a splendid concert.

Personal Notes

Sergeant Noel Carseldine, of the Queensland Police, who has been stationed here for about five years, during which he has done most excellent work in many directions, has been transferred to Rockhampton.

Mr. Mahoney, manager the Regent Theatre, Brisbane, has been spending a short holiday on the island haying travelled up and down the coast on the Wandana.

Mr. and Mrs. Coulter Harman, and Mrs. Bliss are spending a fortnight over on the mainland at Somerset, at the invitation of Mr. H. Vidgen.

Mr. and Mrs. Norman Hockings have returned from their holiday in the South. Mr. Hockings is one of the principals of the long-established Wanetta Pearling Co., and is the Dutch Consul.

The scheme to build a museum as a memorial to the late Mr. Reginald Hockings, O.B.E., is making slow but sure progress. The Town Council and the Royal Geographical Society are jointly concerned in this project.

Constable Ward is on transfer to Gladstone this month, and both he and his wife will be much missed.

Mrs. Charles Cleveland has returned to Thursday Island after a long sojourn in the South.

Mrs. Cowling has returned to Daru on her vessel the Goodwill, taking with her Dr. Vernon, M.C., who has finished his business here. Our Mayor (Alderman Corran) has gone to Daru with Dr. Vernon, as his guest, for a holiday.