Launch

Ray Parer and a Mission Launch

From Our Cairns Correspondent rnHAT well-known Territorian, Ray A Parer, appeared in Cairns on June 18, engaged in a new kind of ad venture; he was sailing the 45 ft. launch Lady Yetive” from Brisbane to Samarai, for the Methodist Mission at Salamo

(Goodenough group).

The Mission bought the launch from the Australian Army; and, before it went to war, it was a Darwin pearling lugger It had undergone repairs at Brisbane when Ray took over, and set off north wards with Engineer Tom Holack, of Mackay, and a crew of four natives Next day, the engine gave trouble.' Next day it went out, and the vessel proceeded under sail, while the oil-feed system was Palm Island. 60 miles south of Mackay, they ran out of oil. Another launch gave them oil. and they got to Mackay, and underwent repairs They left Palm Island on 15th. met bad weather and lost oil pressure and returned to Palm Island.

They got to Cairns on the 18th, dis mantled the engine and spread it around for a badly needed overhaul. Ray, norm ally a patient man with engines, was pre vented by force from dancing upon the bits and pieces.

The launch left a week later for Samarai direct. Ray himself is headed lor Lae.

Mr. K, C. Macpherson, formerly a re= porter on the “Fiji Times” he resigned in 1943 to enter Queensland journalism— has been appointed night sub-editor of the “Daily Mercury.” Mackay.

Mr. Des. Cahill, a well-known Port Moresby lad. recently took up duties with Bulolo Gold Dredging, Ltd., in New Guinea.