Pearling Luggers
Torres Natives To Own Pearling Luggers
ris reported that a convoy of 16 lug gers arrived at Thursday Island from Port Moresby early in July to enable 700 Torres Strait Islands soldiers to re sume pearling. The soldiers are being discharged from the Army. The Island Industries’ Pearl Board is purchasing the boats and will sell them at cash cost at TI to individual islanders, or families.
The boats will be manned by Torres Strait Islanders and aboriginal crews, as part of the Queensland Government’s policy of encouraging the Islanders to work the pearling industry for their own benefit. The islanders’ fleet will then consist of 20 luggers and crews, on which nearly 400 natives will be employed. The pre-war fleet was impressed by the Army.
Altogether, 40 luggers will be working in
the Strait.