Torres Strait Notes

from Our Own Correspondent.

Thursday Is., Dec. 29.

THERE are to be some changes in the Public Service. Capt. Smibert, our harbour master, is to be transferred to Brisbane as a relieving harbour master. Capt. J. E. Fawcett is to come from Gladstone to occupy the T.I. position. Capt.

Mortensen, master of the Government ketch Mel bidir, retires on account of age, and Mr. Henry Woodhead takes his place; Mr. Kropp is now to be the engineer.

Mrs. A. J. Williams has returned from her holi day, also Mr. and Mrs. Mortensen, junr.

Nurse Carseldine has gone to Rockhampton to spend three months’ vacation, with her people.

Mrs. Harper, junr., and her children left re cently for Daru as the guests of Mr. and Mrs.

Woodward.

Another sudden death has occurred to distress the community. Mr. Charles Graham was found on the beach with life extinct, the medical evi dence being that he had had a heart seizure. De ceased was the Tyler of Torres Strait Lodge for many years and was a Past Master. The church service was followed by Masonic rites at the graveside.

Mr. W. Cadzow, of the Wyben Pearling Co., has left for the mainland on holidays.

The ruling rates for trochus-shell are most satis factory and the price was as high as £94 last week. Luggers have gone out for another drift to take advantage of this good reward, which sweetens labour.

Old Fred Watson has passed away after a long illness. His brother Otto has re-established his business as a photographer.

Mr. S. West Newman has returned from his visit to the Aru Islands.

Sergt. V. Lambert has been here from Darwin on furlough. His presence reminded us of the great loss sustained by the removal of the garri son from Thursday Island.

Mrs. Zahel, of Badu Island, the senior Govern ment teacher in the Torres Strait, has gone South on holidays.

Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong, of Poid Village, Moa Island, and Mr. Goforth, of T.I. State school, also went on the same steamer on furlough.

Mr. Butler, of Murray Island, is an inmate of the Torres Strait Hospital, suffering from a poisoned foot. Mr. Frank Norgate is also an in mate awaiting to undergo surgical treatment. Mr.

W. O’Mara is making progress after his recent

operation

The Inspector of Pearlshell Fisheries in his an nual report states that the average price for

M-O-P shell during the year was £115 a ton, and that trochus shell varied from £70 to £104, which is a record. He further adds that 27 boats were worked by the Torres Strait Islanders under the successful management of the local Protector of Aboriginals.

Mrs. Williams, of the Grand Hotel, Mr. Jack Partridge, and Mr. C. Cleveland have gone South for varying periods, while Nurse Simpson, Mrs.

L. Williams, and Mr. Massey have returned to the Island.

A quarrel occurred recently on one of the lug gers between some Japanese and Papuans over the distribution of tobacco. As a result two of the former are in hospital with their injuries, but are recovering.

Mr. Tom Cussens is making slow progress as a patient of the Torres Strait Hospital. He is now able to walk unaided for little distances.

Mr. E. Baker, Acting District Commis sioner of Rewa, Fiji, left Suva with his wife for Australia on December 26 by the Mariposa. During Mr. Baker’s fur lough, Mr. W. Burrows will be Acting Commissioner,