Thursday Island Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

Thursday Is., Not. 17.

THE Blue Funnel steamer Ulysses anchored at the entrance to our harbour recently to allow its world tourists to visit the Quetta Memorial Cathedral and other places of interest here.

At the monthly meeting of the T.I. branch of the Royal Geographical Society, Mr. H. G. Simp son, Vice-President, gave a lecture on Captain King, the explorer. Contrary to a common sup position, he pointed out, there is no evidence that this explorer ever saw Thursday Island, much less named it. King named Donkin’s Hill in North Australia after the inventor of preserved meats, which have become so well-known to tropical residents.

Referring to the activities of Japanese sam pans in this part of the world, the Lord Bishop of Carpentaria has publicly expressed his opinion that all foreign-owned vessels engaged in the marine industry in these waters should be treated as poachers by the Government, otherwise the Australian craft working hereabouts should not be expected to pay taxes and licence fees. The export trade in M-O-Pearl shell, trochus shell, and beche-de-mer is worth about £250,000 annually to Australia and this deserves adequate Govern ment protection.

Mr. J. I. Dunwoodie has been made a member of the Town Council in place of Mr. A. Filewood, who has resigned. Mr. Dunwoodie has already served for several years in a similar capacity, but lately has been taking a rest from municipal affairs.

Rev. MacDermott, chief of the Hammond Island Mission, has returned to his duties after a holiday in the South for illness.

Rev. A. S. Lowe has arrived from Forbes, N.S.W. He has been appointed chaplain to the Mitchell River Mission.

Mr. Taylor is here from Groote Eylandt suffer ing from fever. Miss Cross, from the same mis sion, is off to Sydney for furlough.

Mr. H. Rowan, from Lockhart River Mission, is at T.I. seeking dental attention.

Mr. Willy Turnbull, of Hicks Island, has gone to Badu Island for a few months, while Mr. and Mrs. Murphy are on holidays.

Mr. C. Mills and the Misses G. and J. Hennes sey returned recently from vacations in Australia.

Dr. Vernon, M.C., of Daru, Papua, has brought his cutter over for repairs. Mr. and Mrs. Har vey, of Daru, are also here with their infant for medical treatment.

Mr. Hawkes has arrived from Gladstone to take the place of Mr. Ward in the local police force.

Quite an exodus has occurred of residents going South on vacation, including Miss S. Armbrust, Mr. Charles Mills, Mr. W. Ewart, Mr. and Mrs.

Wilson (of Mapoon), and Mr. and Mrs. Mortenson, junr.

Mr. and Mrs. Butler have arrived for duty cn Murray Island. Mr. and Mrs. Frith will now return to Mabuiag (Jervis) Island.