Thursday Is.

Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

Thursday Is., March 2.

Prior to leaving Thursday Is. to return to her home in Sydney, Mrs. Gerald Bruce tendered a large picnic at Port Lihou on Prince of Wales Island, in return for some of the hospitality that had been extended to her during her long stay.

The picnic was a most enjoyable one, being favoured with splendid weather conditions.

The prices obtained for local mother-of-pearl shell lately have been rather low, making the future of the pearling industry insecure. The Commonwealth Government has undertaken to give financial as sistance to pearlers in order to prevent more un employment.

The business of the Port Kennedy Engineering and Shipyards Co. is now in full swing, owing to the presence in the harbour of most of the luggers and cutters used in the marine industry. The manager, Mr. S. West Newman, will pay a private visit to England in the near future.

Mr. Donald Walker, of the Customs Service, has been transferred back to Townsville, much to the regret of his friends.

The Bishop of Carpentaria has travelled down to Sydney to take part in the meeting of the House of Bishops on March 12. The chief item of business is the election of the Anglican Primate of Australia.

Mr. and Mrs. Harry Rowan, of the Lockhart River Mission, have been on a visit to T.I., where they were the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Sulli van.

Mrs. J. I. Adams has proceeded South in order to place her two younger daughters in boarding schools. One of them, Patricia, has fine promise as an elocutionist.

The Pilot Service has lost a valued officer of long standing by the passing of Captain C. Priest, The deceased has been ailing for a considerable time. He was 58 years of age.

A mail left recently on a Norwegian tanker by the kind favour of Captain A. Rule. Thursday Island owes a great debt of gratitude to the mem bers of the Queensland Coast and Torres Strait Pilot Service for the trouble in bringing in and taking out mailbags to passing steamers. The regular mail service is scanty.

Mrs. Eric Corran has returned to T.I. for a holiday.

The Protector of Aboriginals has been on the annual recruiting tour of the Torres Strait Islands for the “company” boats—the luggers and cutters owned by the natives working in the marine in dustry.

His other partners having withdrawn from the business, Mr. Gordon Vidgen is now controlling the Port Kennedy Butchering and Ice Co., on lease.

A relieving teacher is being sought for the Torres Strait Island Schools. His duties when he is not relieving absent white teachers, will be to train native teachers, and assist in the growing office work of the Protector of Aborigines.

All five candidates from the local State school have passed the recent Scholarship Examination.

This is very creditable for all concerned, especi ally the head teacher, Mr. Harry Finter, who has been working hard bringing the candidates up to concert pitch.

The Synod of the Diocese of Carpentaria has been called to foregather on July 7, at the see-town, Thursday Island. The proceedings are likely to last about a week, and will be commenced with a Quiet Day to be conducted by the Rector of Darwin, Rev. Housden.