Japanese Pearlers
p. 11 · Read in the full issue
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From a Special Correspondent
Dobo, Oct. 18.
ALL the Japanese pearling luggers— about 45 in number—which have been operating in and around these waters (Aroe Islands, off coast of Dutch New Guinea),'and in Torres Strait and Darwin were recalled to Palau, in the Caroline Group, a short time ago. The evacuation was completed by early September. . . , In addition, the Japanese Consulate at Mandano (DEI) ordered all Japanese residents of Dobo to return to Japan.
The departure of the luggers leaves the shell beds of Torres Strait, Darwin and Broome empty of foreign fishermen. Pro vided divers can be obtained, the lan guishing Australian pearling industry should soon show signs of recovery.
Captain Samuel Mortimer, formerly commodore of the Burns Philp fleet, and particularly well known years ago in the Solomon Islands trade, now is a member of the Pacific Islands Society. Captain Mortimer settled in Sydney after his retirement. Another new member is Major Edward Collins, now resident in Sydney, but well known in Lautoka, Fiji, in former years.