Queenslander, Saturday 13 January
1900, p. 93
THURSDAY ISLAND. INTERVIEW WITH THE GOVERNMENT RESIDENT
Discussing the position of the pearlshelling industry with a
representative of this journal, the Hon. John Douglas, Government Resident of
Thursday Island, said the season had not been favourable. The loss of so many
boats, when about 300 men lost their lives, in the early part of the year, was
a great blow. Since then there 'has been a good deal of wind, which always has
the effect of clouding the water and (preventing the divers from seeing: the
conditions, therefore, tended to indifferent results. The prices in London, too,
have not been altogether good. On the other hand, the prices of black-lip shell
advanced, and as the yields of it have been good, the people with small boats
profited. The people on Thursday Island have been suffering severely from want
of water. If it had not been for the reserve of water at the fort the position
would have been worse. The Government Resident is now endeavouring to do
something which he hopes will lead to a sufficient water supply being obtained;
in fact, it is one of the objects of the present visit.
An occasion recognised as of some importance was the visit during the
year of the Home Secretary and Mrs. Foxton. The extended tour which they took
through the islands has, "Mr. Douglas considers, enabled Mr. Foxton to
understand the position of the people more thoroughly than any Minister has yet
done. They felt that be now knew all about them, and that he would do his best for
them. Mr. Foxton has taken a great Interest in the education of the Islanders
of Torres Straits. It would be a great mistake, Mr. Douglas interposed, to
identify these with the mainland aboriginals of Queensland. They are much more
advanced in civilisation, live in well-built grass houses, and subsist by means
of cultivation and fishing. They are very anxious to improve their position,
and eager for education. Wherever education can be given, Mr. Douglas feels
sure Mr. Foxton will endeavour to provide the means of teaching them English.
In connection with this subject it may be mentioned that Mr. Douglas has
undertaken to deliver a lecture, probably on the 16th instant, under the
auspices of the 'Royal Geographical Society, on the subject, "The Islands
and inhabitants of Torres Straits.'' He has several interesting charts on a
rather large scale, which will enable the people to understand the relative
positions of the Islands, about, which so little is known.
Not very much has been done during the year on the goldfields. On Horn Island
very extensive works for crushing and conserving water are being erected, about
forty men being employed. But it is not anticipated that there will be any
crushing for two or three months. One reason there was so little in gold mining
done this year was that the leases" were being transferred to a Melbourne
syndicate, who are erecting the machinery referred to. Within the next few
months it is anticipated that there will be eighty stampers at work on Horn
Island. The field is of the character that all the soil contains more or less
gold, everything being taken to be put through the mill. The gold is not of a
high class, but it appears to pervade the whole of the workings. A little gold
is being got at Possession Island, the yield being nearly an ounce to the ton.
Trade with New Guinea does not make any appreciable advance. A certain
amount of copra and sandalwood comes to Thursday Island, and it is shipped on,
principally by the China boats, it is understood In Thursday Island that the
prospects of the goldfields of New Guinea are very good. At Cloudy Bay there
has been a new discovery. Between Milne Bay and Mullins's Harbour there is an
extensive highland region which yields gold. Though the deposits are not rich,
all the diggers there are satisfied, as the ground pays, and there are plenty
of carriers from Mullins's Harbour, a very populous district.
The Japanese Government are keeping to their contract with the
Queensland Government with regard to the admission of Japanese to Thursday
Island. None without passports are now coming in, and very few even with
passports. Occasionally a few Japanese go to Japan, and some of these get
permission to come back. "I don't think there is any dread at present of
any great Japanese inroad," said Mr. Douglas. "They make capital boat
builders, and they command that industry altogether. They turn out just as good
boats as any built In Sydney."
In connection with the defences, Mr. Douglas said a road party had been
at work all the year, and had done very well, under a Mr. Park and Captain
Coxon. The latter took a great, interest in the military occupation of Thursday
Island. The Rifle Club is in a very healthy condition, and a new drill shed has
been erected. It was hoped that these would impart some vigour to the Garrison
Artillery, a volunteer force. Most of the men of the Permanent Force
volunteered for service in South Africa, but their offer has not so far been
accepted. The military force is in a very sound condition. The men give very
little trouble, and attend to their duties.
There have been a few cases of typhoid fever during the year. A new
surgeon has arrived for the hospital, to which a new wing is about to be added.
Mr. Douglas returns to Thursday Island about the 20th of the month.
