The Queenslander (Brisbane), Saturday, 5 May 1894, pp. 850–851
Ministers in the North. TOWNSVILLE TO THURSDAY ISLAND AND
BACK. THE PEARLSHELL INDUSTRY.
COOKTOWN REQUIREMENTS. SUGAR WORKS GUARANTEE ACT. QUEENSLAND
COAST SCENERY.
(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) COOKTOWN, April 19.
Eta certainly made herself sufficiently objectionable on
Tuesday and Wednesday to justify the very worst remarks of Mr. Wragge in his
special advices. While we lay in Cleveland Bay on Tuesday, the rain fell
continuously, and stiff squalls from the south-east drove the clouds up in
apparently unending procession. It was a relief to find ourselves comfortably
ensconced in our new quarters on board the R.M.S. India, having transhipped
from the Wodonga in the Customs launch, and to know that even if the very objectionable
weather continued we need not suffer much from its unpleasantness whilst
travelling in so large and well-equipped a vessel.
By daylight on Wednesday morning the India was under way,
and so was Eta. The wind had changed, but it brought as much rain as ever, and
the barometer falling gave for some time no hope of better things. But on a
large vessel inside the Barrier the seas, if not the winds, are tempered to the
most inexperienced of sailors, and though the ship was decidedly unsteady,
one's chief regret was that if the thick and hazy weather should continue the
glorious scenery of the North Queensland coast would be non-existent, so far as
the India's passengers were concerned. But there are compensations in all
things, and though quite unlikely to attract the notice of a sailor the green
waves, with their white crests driven into steam-like spray by the fierce
gusts, were to the adventurous landsman a picture which more than made up for
the modified discomforts of wind and rain and sea.
But as the India approached Hinchinbrook Island, the clouds
began to lift, and glints of sunshine were now and then visible. Indeed matters
steadily improved, and the afternoon and evening were fine, though the great
banks of mist rolled themselves but slowly up the mountain sides, and
Hinchinbrook appeared like a great tableland, the tops of its peaks being cut
off by a line of cloud. The night proved fine and calm, and moonlight on the
now lake-like waters was so attractive that most of the passengers remained up
until the ship, passing inside Fitzroy Island, had rounded the great headland
named after the duke of Grafton and had entered Trinity Bay.
At midnight the anchor was dropped off Cairns, and a few
visitors, including Mr. W. C. Little and Mr. M. Walsh, came off for a chat with
their member (Mr. Byrnes) and the other Ministers; but there was no formal
deputation. The mails and cargo from Cairns did not long delay us, and early
this morning we were again under way, so that as the breakfast bell rang at 9
o'clock the steamer brought up off Port Douglas for the mails and a few cases
of oranges and bananas for Thursday Island.
The scenery from this point northward is never forgotten by
those who have once the pleasure of making the trip. Its fame has spread to the
other colonies, and there are Victorians and New South Wales residents who make
a practice of spending their winter holiday in a round trip to Cooktown and
back, assured of a comfortable vessel, smooth seas, and views of mountain,
ocean, and island, ever changing and ever lovely in the varying moods of
weather and in the alternation of sunshine and clear tropical moonlight. The
course even for big ships lies chiefly within four miles of the shore, as the
water is deep and there are few outlying dangers. The passage along the shores
of Trinity Bay in the bright morning sunshine that succeeded yesterday's storm
will live long in the memories of those who travelled by the India on this
voyage. The mountains rising steeply from the water's edge reach to a height of
from 2000ft. to 5000ft., and the effects of the recent exceptional wet season
were seen in the numerous waterfalls that rushed down the cliffs at frequent
intervals, forming silvery streaks against the dark and rugged face of the
mountain slope. Sometimes the course of a wild torrent could be traced for
hundreds of feet down some mountain gorge, before it disappeared in the
tropical jungle at the base. Further on a broad patch of snowy whiteness shone
out amongst the trees and was lost almost immediately as the waters of some
swollen creek hid themselves in the forest, and beneath the shadow of the great
trees and giant boulders sought their way to the arms of mother ocean. So still
was the surface of the sea that the waterfalls in many cases distinctly
mirrored themselves in its bosom. The shining green waters, dark gray mountains
scarred with many a landslip and lit up here and there with the falling waters,
and over all the soft blue sky, in which floated almost motionless the fleecy
clouds which alone remained of the storm of yesterday, formed a picture of
majesty and loveliness which one would fain linger upon and vainly wish to
perpetuate. Yet such in ever varying detail of mountain and island, sandy
beaches and towering rocks, scrub-covered valleys and gaunt, weather-beaten
peaks is the picture which slowly unrolls itself as the vessels steam up and
down the Queensland coast between Townsville and Cooktown. And in a sense, too,
we are in classic waters. For here little more than a century ago Captain Cook
wrestled with the tides of fate and conquered. At Cape Tribulation and Weary
Bay and the Endeavour River Australians of to-day must think with gratitude and
admiration of the work he so bravely did working his small sailing ship through
the then all unknown waters of our eastern coast, in perils of shipwreck, and
disease, and famine, and attack from the natives, yet doing his work so
thoroughly that it goes unchallenged even in these days of steam and
electricity.
Through the kindness of Captain Johnston and Pilot Binstead,
who did all in their power to make the trip a pleasant one, the ship was taken
between Schnapper Island and the mainland, so that a fine view was afforded not
only of the picturesque island itself, but of the scenery at the mouth of the
Daintree. The plantations on the river were, of course, hidden; but a snug
orangery a few miles south of the opening was in itself an interesting object.
Peter Botte with its giant crag rearing itself over 3300ft. above the sea is a
remarkable feature of this part of the coast, and when seen from the right
position is very similar in outline to its namesake in the old world. All the
way up to Cooktown the varying outlines of the mountain range, now covered to
the top with a dense scrub, and anon bare of all save the coarse grasses of the
coast presented an ever interesting spectacle, and looking either ahead or
astern the long broken line faded into a deep hazy blue ere the sky line was
reached.
April 27.
Leaving the anchorage at Cooktown on Thursday evening after
a couple of hours' detention loading pearlshell and a small quantity of other
cargo, the R.M.S. India pursued her voyage northward. The extent of Queensland
territory forces itself upon the traveller as he steams day after day along the
coastline girt with the Great Barrier Reef, between which and the mainland lie
innumerable islands, banks, and reefs, some of which are bare and
uninhabitable, whilst others but for their distance from civilisation, might
become the home of busy and prosperous men. With the exception of a few hours'
delay at Keppel Bay and Flat-top, and some eighteen hours at Townsville we had
been steaming along the coast for very nearly a week when the India arrived
alongside the hulk at Thursday Island—both the Wodonga, in which the first part
of the trip was performed, and the India being remarkably fine and powerful
vessels. From Townsville northward the whole trip is made in sheltered waters,
and the surface of the ocean was calm as a river, even under the influence of
the steady south-east monsoon which had just set in.
Here and there along the barrier were to be seen evidences
that even in these calm waters danger lurks. Many of the India's passengers
recognised an old friend in the Corea, which now lies on a reef with only one
mast and her stern half above water, the recent gales on the coast having left
their mark on the torn bulwarks and top sides which now expose the inside of
the vessel to view. Quite close to the Claremont Island lightship, hard and
fast on the bank, lay the schooner Clara Ethel, which had been seriously
injured in the recent gale and run ashore near the lightship to keep her from
sinking. For a distance of forty or fifty miles the reef showed signs of a
heavy gale having but recently passed over them—every beacon had been blown
down, and the effects of wind and sea were apparent in the complete destruction
of all growth on the smaller islands.
On Saturday morning all the passengers were on deck before
sunrise watching the beauties of the Albany Pass; and as the vessel steamed
between the bold headlands, alternated with sandy coves whose shores were
fringed with rich-looking grass and here and there a cluster of cocoanut palms,
the scene was one to command admiration. Not more than 1200 yards wide at the
narrowest portion, the pass is formed by the mainland of the Cape York
Peninsula and Albany Island. The only settlement on the southern side is Somerset,
which consists entirely of the residence of Mr. F. Jardine, whilst Albany
Island, though at one time carrying a number of cattle, appears now to be
entirely deserted. The pass lit up by the early morning sun, with the
innumerable islands of Torres Straits beyond, amply rewarded the early risers,
and certainly forms one of the most remarkable bits of scenery on the
Australian coast. Amongst the noticeable features of the spot are a curious
group of anthills on the mainland which rise to a height of 4ft. or 5ft., and
being built of red earth, are very conspicuous. To the northward, outside of
Albany Island, rose Mount Adolphus Island, the scene of the wreck of the
ill-fated Quetta; and before this had been lost to view the masts of the Volga,
a full-rigged ship, wrecked on one of the reefs in the vicinity about two years
ago, came into view. She lies at a steep angle, with even her royal yards
standing as on the day of the wreck, nothing having been removed but the cargo
and sails. Approaching Thursday Island the India threaded her way amongst the
islands—Wednesday, Hammond, Friday, Prince of Wales, and Horn Island coming
successively into view as the ship made her way up the channel. Most of these
islands rise steeply from the water, reaching a height of 200ft. to 300ft. At
length we make fast alongside the hulk Star of Peace just beyond the Government
jetty. The town of Port Kennedy on Thursday Island faces southward. The main
streets run parallel to the clean hard beach. On the heights above are the fortifications
(which command the principal channels in the vicinity) and the barracks, where
the garrison supplied by our Permanent Artillery are quartered under command of
Lieutenant Hamilton.
THURSDAY ISLAND.
The island is not more than two square miles in extent, and
contains but little ground that is not comprised in the beach and the slopes of
the two or three hills which form its most conspicuous features. The Cingalese
boatmen are soon alongside the big mail boat, and one or two pearl-shellers of
the same race, though better dressed, tempt the ladies with rings and other
jewellery in which precious stones of various kinds are set in addition to
pearls. Eighteen pence is the recognised fare for rowing a passenger and his
luggage ashore. Though the distance is but a few hundred yards, it is not
always one can have the privilege of travelling in a four-oared boat; the
Malays keep their boat in good order and they row well. Once ashore, the
visitor soon recognises that he is in no ordinary town. Japanese, Manillamen,
Kanakas, New Guinea boys, and Malays squat about chatting and smoking, or busy
themselves on board the trim luggers, some twenty or thirty of which lie at
anchor just off the beach. Outlandish names may be read on most of the
shopkeepers' signboards. On the verandas of dwellings, as one passes, the
mahogany-coloured Manilla diver sits with his wife, who may be a native of his
own island home or perhaps a Kanaka woman, and their children play around them,
interesting though all unconscious examples of the fusion of races. The Manilla
men almost always marry and settle in the Straits when they are able to do so,
and it is stated that a man will send a post office order to the village priest
of his native home and confidently expect by an early boat some blushing
maiden, probably a half-caste Portuguese, who is prepared to share his home and
fortune, and who usually makes an excellent wife and mother. The Manilla man is
in much higher favour than the Japanese immigrant, no doubt largely owing to
the fact that the latter is more sparing in his expenditure, and that he does
not as a rule settle down to home life on the island. But of this, more anon.
In addition to the Cingalese and Japanese there are also
many nationalities represented, including those of the Western as well as the
Eastern hemisphere. It may be noted here that the total population is somewhere
about 3000. A characteristic group was a party of four or five New Guinea
natives who were to be seen strolling home about lunch time on Sunday, two
carrying on a stick between them a bunch of cocoanuts apparently just obtained
from one of the trees on the island.
Port Kennedy, as the town is called, includes several
streets fairly well built in, though, of course, the buildings vary greatly.
The hotels are by far the best business places; but several of the merchants,
including Burns, Philp, and Co., Aplin, Brown, and Co., and Brown, Campbell,
and Co., have large stores, chiefly of galvanised iron. The Anglican Church was
built, it will be remembered, as a memorial of the Quetta wreck, and one of the
lifebuoys of the vessel, together with her flag, is hung on the wall inside the
church, whilst the ship's bell summons the congregation to morning and evening
prayer. Two handsome stained-glass windows recently presented to the church
were unveiled on Saturday last. One of these is the gift of Mrs. E. L. Brown as
a memorial of her late husband, and the other the gift of Captain George
Pearson. Port Kennedy has also a Roman Catholic Church, but none of the smaller
denominations are represented. The School of Arts is a commodious building,
though unfortunately at one end of the town, and requiring to be removed nearer
to the centre. A well-built though not sufficiently large State school
overlooks the town and harbour; and tenders have been let for the erection of a
hospital building, though the site is still a matter in dispute, and it is
quite unlikely that the position at first chosen, on the northern side of the
island and about a mile from the jetty, will be finally adopted. Indeed, it was
understood that the Hon. J. Douglas, the Government Resident, has been asked to
report upon another site. A better supply of water for domestic purposes is
also much needed. The fine barracks built for the troops quartered on the
island are at the back of the town and in an elevated position not far from the
batteries. They are wooden buildings of two stories, lofty and cool, and
everything calculated to promote the comfort and health of the men is carefully
attended to. From the profits of the canteen a recreation-room has been fitted
up and supplied with periodicals, and there is also a billiard-room with the
necessary table. An excellent supply of water is provided by underground tanks,
in which the rain-water from the roofs are stored, and the grounds are neatly
kept, a great deal of trouble having evidently been taken to beautify them with
gardens. Between thirty and forty men are now quartered here; but there is
ample accommodation for double the number in case of need.
The following table, for which I am indebted to Mr.
Hennessey, Sub-collector of Customs, presents the trade of Thursday Island for
the past five years at a glance:—
Trade of Thursday Island, 1889–1893
|
1889 |
1890 |
1891 |
1892 |
1893 |
|
|
Customs revenue |
£10,946 |
£11,281 |
£12,362 |
£14,385 |
£16,623 |
|
Imports |
£44,429 |
£55,529 |
£41,886 |
£50,816 |
£41,723 |
|
Exports |
£76,574 |
£79,863 |
£118,222 |
*£116,592 |
£125,573 |
|
Pearl luggers and schooners employed |
101 |
92 |
126 |
190 |
210 |
|
Tons of shell† |
681 |
638 |
769 |
931 |
1214 |
|
Bêche-de-mer and tortoiseshell boats |
48 |
65 |
57 |
42 |
43 |
|
Bêche-de-mer, tons |
110 |
104 |
71 |
62 |
51 |
|
Tortoiseshell, tons |
7 |
3 |
2 |
7 cwt. |
18 cwt. |
The notes read:
* The decline in exports for 1892 was due to the fall
in the quantity of guano shipped from Raine Island.
† These figures were obtained from a source from
which we learn also that the price at Thursday Island in 1888 was £95; in 1887
it was £90; in 1886, £95; and in 1885, £100.
Tortoiseshell is worth about £1500 per ton, and the fall in
exports is believed to be due to the fact that only the female is caught when
she comes ashore to lay her eggs.
Beche-de-mer is worth £70 per ton.
In addition to the above, the vessels bring in a
considerable number of pearls each year, but the total value is not easy to
determine, and is variously estimated. An estimate by a good authority puts the
quantity for last year at £8000, but others, who should know, place it much
higher.
ARRIVAL OF MINISTERS.
At about 11 o'clock on Saturday morning, when the R.M.S.
India arrived alongside the coal hulk at Thursday Island, the Hon. John
Douglas, Government Resident, with Mr. Hennessey, Sub-collector of Customs, was
very soon on board to welcome the Ministers. The delays incidental to getting
ashore made it impossible to do anything until after lunch; but great
disappointment was felt by the residents when it became known that the stay of
the Ministerial party was to be much shorter than had been expected. A stay of
three days had been arranged for, and a return to Cooktown by the steamer
Victoria; but this vessel had been delayed on her voyage to Normanton by bad
weather, and could not possibly return in time to fit in with the other
engagements of the party. It was therefore decided to leave by the E. and A.
Company's steamer Airlie, which was due at Port Kennedy on Sunday.
Mr. Nelson and his colleagues lunched with Mr. Douglas, and
afterwards put up at the Grand Hotel. The afternoon and evening were very fully
occupied. After visiting the barracks and fort, over which they were conducted
by Lieutenant Hamilton and Lieutenant White, the Ministers returned to the
Court-house, where two deputations awaited them.
On the afternoon of Saturday, 21st April, the Ministers
received two deputations. The first of these represented the
PEARL DIVERS.
Mr. Douglas introduced the deputation as experienced divers,
and presented a letter addressed by them to the Premier, and signed by the
representatives of seventy-five boats. These were John Tolman, Julius Oiru,
Hans Rasmussen, Andersen Bros., Denis Byrne, Andrew Sinclair, O. Eide, David
Brodie, W. Howard, and John Anderson. The principal portion of the letter read
as follows:—
“Experience has taught us that the present wholesale
withdrawal of small shell for so-called cultivation purposes must at a very
early date completely denude the beds, to their ruin, to our ruin, and to the
creation of a huge monopoly which will mean the ruin of all the smaller
shellers. We respectfully suggest—1. That the minimum size fixed by law for
marketable pearlshell be reduced from 6in. to 5in. 2. That this law prohibit
the raising of all shell below 5in. for cultivation or other purposes. 3. That
the cultivation of pearlshell be encouraged by small leases at low rentals of
suitable passages which can be gradually but successfully stocked with shell
over the 5in. limit. With the protection asked for and encouragement suggested,
we are fully prepared to enter upon shell cultivation by the transference of
shell over 5in. into suitable leases, by bringing in ourselves and by
instructing our divers to bring in a few pairs each time we and they return to
the lease. By this means true cultivation will be established without
interfering with the rights of those unable to take up leases.”
Mr. Douglas explained that other divers would have been
present, including Mr. Frank Summers, the owner of a number of boats, but as it
had been supposed that the meeting would take place on Monday, they were now
absent at their pearling stations. He added that he could say from his personal
knowledge that all these men were thoroughly conversant with the details of the
industry.
The members of the deputation, and particularly Mr. Tolman
and Mr. Andersen, then gave the Ministers a fuller explanation of their views.
They stated that what was known as the old ground which lay to the east of
Proudfoot Shoal and had an area of about twenty miles by forty was not all
pearlshell ground, but that the shell existed in patches more or less
scattered. Mr. Tolman said he had carefully prospected the ground and had been
quite unable to find shell in a single place ten miles west of the shoal; indeed
there was nothing for it to feed upon. All the shellers got patches close to
the reefs, as there was nothing at a distance for them to live upon. The
deputation complained that the Pilot Pearlshelling Company were denuding the
beds in such a way that if they continued the supply would be completely
exhausted in from eighteen months to two years. He (Mr. Tolman) had already
taken some steps in the matter of cultivation. When the boats were coming in,
they could bring a bag or so of shell alive by placing them in a wire cage and
hanging them overboard. It was asserted by members of the deputation that
already there are 100,000 shell on the company's lease at Friday Island; but
whilst some asserted that a large proportion of these were dead, Mr. Tolman expressed
strong conviction of the success of the experiment, though he thought it would
be a great help to them if the company would allow them to go down and see it
for themselves. It was asserted that the largest quantity of shell ever got out
of the passage from natural sources was 40 tons, and some appeared to think
that the large quantity now being placed there could not possibly thrive. It
was urged by the Premier that if the ordinary diving were persisted in the beds
would be exhausted in any case; but the reply was that it could never be
exhausted if nothing but 5in. shell were taken, as the smaller shell would
continue to throw off spat. On the company's ground, once their shell had
attained its proper size, they would be able to work the whole lease with one
boat, and all the men now employed would be thrown out. Mr. Kelly introduced
the subject of the heavy expenses under which the shellers now have to
struggle, and handed the Premier a list showing that in licenses alone he paid
£122 10s. for sixteen boats; but this topic was not pursued. He added, in reply
to questions, that during the last twelve months these boats had produced about
60 tons of shell; but the members of the deputation agreed that the average
yield had not been more than 6 tons per boat, perhaps less. The best divers had
now acquired boats, and were working for themselves. It was strongly urged that
the great object of the deputation was to secure the preservation of the old
ground; for once that was denuded there was nothing beyond. Dozens of other
grounds had been worked out, and had been unworkable for four or five years. It
was also asserted that the Pilot Company were buying undersized shell from the
other boats at 10s. per hundred, and that was in addition to the shell
collected by their own thirty boats, which, working in connection with a
schooner, were able to gather large quantities.
The object of No. 1 suggestion was explained by members of
the deputation to be that at present there is a great temptation for divers
finding shells between 5in. and 6in. in diameter to send them up to be opened
in the prospect of finding valuable pearls in them. Such a shell had recently
been found to contain a pearl worth £400, and the deputation showed an
undersized pearlshell, to which were attached, as they grew, two large pearls.
Shells less than 5in. had very rarely developed pearls, and would not be worth
opening on the chance. It was also shown that the upper and lower shell of the
same pair were of different shape and size, and, as they were cleaned and
separated on the ground, it was impossible to show that a shell which only
gave, perhaps, 5in. of nacre was the fellow to one which went 6in. or 6½in.
Thus, many tons of shell had to be thrown overboard every year, and this was
worth about two-thirds of the amount the larger-sized shell would bring.
In regard to this matter, Mr. Nelson said that if the Act
was being worked in such a way as to lead to the opening of these small-sized
shell, it was doing more harm than good. He did not think there could be any
objection to the smaller cultivation areas being granted as desired, but he
suggested that the divers might compass their object by co-operation. Indeed,
in this way they might combine to charter a steamer and carry on the business
as advantageously as the company were doing. He also pointed out that no
minimum was fixed by the Act, so that there was no obstacle in the way.
On the subject of their second request, he expressed
considerable doubt. He urged the importance of cultivation as a means of
prolonging the industry and of enabling the Queensland producer to combat the
recent heavy fall in prices. It seemed to him a waste of labour that a man
finding undersized shell should be compelled to throw it away on the chance of
picking it up some other day, when he might as easily transfer it to leased
ground, where it could attain full size and be easily recovered when needed. The
prices of pearlshell, like that of every other product, had fallen heavily, and
it was absolutely necessary to reduce the cost of production. If other
countries entered upon a system of cultivation and we did not we should be
quite unable to compete with them. He was very doubtful if the adoption of
their second suggestion would be to the interest of the colony as a whole.
Mr. Douglas said that in addition to the company's fleet,
there were a large number of new boats, especially amongst the Japanese,
working over the ground the Thursday Island men had been accustomed to work.
They had in all double the number of boats that were in use three years ago.
That was a much more potent source of competition than the Pilot Company. Last
year the Japanese numbered only ten boats; now they had altogether
eighty-seven.
Mr. Nelson, in concluding, said the suggestions made by the
deputation should have the fullest consideration of the Government, and
anything they could do in the way of preserving this or any other industry,
they would be very happy to do. At the same time, he was not quite clear on
some of the points regarding cultivation.
ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE.
A deputation representing the magistrates of Thursday Island
was next introduced by Mr. Douglas. These included Messrs. E. J. Hennessey, H.
Bowden, A. H. Mountain, and F. de L. Hudson. Mr. Douglas also read a letter
from Mr. Savage, who is at present sub-inspector of police and acting clerk of
petty sessions. This letter urged the impossibility of discharging
satisfactorily the duties of the dual position, and this was supported by the
magistrates present. It was also pointed out that a part of the duties usually
performed by the clerk of petty sessions are now discharged by Mr. Hennessey,
the Sub-collector of Customs.
Mr. Nelson, while pointing out that the matter belonged
properly to the Colonial Secretary's department, stated that although the
Government had been compelled to go in for heavy retrenchment there was no
desire and no intention to diminish the efficiency of the staff required to
carry on the administration of the country. If the efficiency of the service
was seriously impaired, no motives of economy would justify them in depriving
the district of an officer absolutely needed. He promised to favourably recommend
the matter to the consideration of the Colonial Secretary.
Mr. Byrnes said it seemed to him that the deputation had
made out a good case, and he knew from departmental experience that the
appointment of a clerk of petty sessions would mean a decided increase in the
efficiency of the staff. He would recommend the matter to Mr. Tozer.
Mr. Douglas spoke of the hearty assistance he had always
received from the unpaid magistracy, who he said most effectively filled his
place during his absence, though when he was on the island most of them were so
fully occupied with their own business that they could not give a whole day to
the work of the bench.
Mr. Bowden introduced the subject of the holding of sittings
of the Supreme Court in Thursday Island, a matter on which he had previously
addressed the Minister while chairman of the Divisional Board. He pointed out
that at present there were no less than twenty-seven persons from Thursday
Island attending the sittings of the court at Cooktown as witnesses. The delay
to the Judge would not be very extreme, and the inconvenience to residents
would be great. The nature of the population was such as to render crime,
particularly that of murder, much more likely here than at Cooktown, for
instance. He also spoke in support of the appointment of conciliation justices
as likely to be of great service in dealing with difficulties between the
coloured men and their employees, and mentioned the case of a recent dispute
between two Chinamen, which on the recommendation of the District Court Judge
was referred to arbitration. The award was £8, and the costs amounted to £74.
Mr. Byrnes explained that so far as a conciliation justice
was concerned, all they had to do was to secure some suitable man and let the
Divisional Board submit his name to the Government for appointment. With regard
to the Supreme Court sittings, he admitted the force of Mr. Bowden's remarks,
but pointed out that many larger towns were unable to gain this convenience,
enumerating Gympie, Hughenden, and Croydon as instances. There was also a
serious difficulty here in the limited number of men qualified to serve on the
jury, and the almost impossibility in so small a community of securing a jury
whose members should be perfectly free from personal bias in the matter to be
tried. There was also the hardship of men being recalled from their business on
the islands, perhaps many miles off, to serve on the jury. He would, however,
consider the matter, and if the business of the court really justified it, and
if it could be carried out without seriously inconveniencing the business of
the rest of the country, it would be done. At present he did not think the time
had quite arrived for such an alteration.
The deputation then withdrew.
DIVISIONAL BOARD DEPUTATION.
In the evening the Ministers attended at the School of Arts
to receive a deputation from the local Divisional Board. The meeting was open
to the public, but the attendance was very small, as there had been no means of
notifying the general public. The Hon. J. Douglas introduced the deputation.
After formally welcoming the Ministers, Mr. Gummer, chairman of the board,
introduced the subject of water supply, explaining its extreme importance both
on account of the public health and for the benefit of vessels calling at the
port. He pointed out that from a naval point of view it was almost as important
as the coal, to protect which the Australian Governments had erected
fortifications on the island. Apart from the Auxiliary Squadron, no fewer than
twenty-one British warships had coaled at the port in the past four years, and
105 steamers exclusive of the local vessels. The present inadequate supply gave
a revenue of £50 per annum, and with an improved supply the returns, together
with a halfpenny special loan rate, would, it was estimated, yield 5 per cent
on the necessary outlay.
Mr. Nelson quite agreed as to the importance of the water
supply, and stated that he had already received a report from Mr. Henderson on
the subject. He promised to supply the deputation with the information
contained in the report. The only satisfactory system would be to construct
reservoirs and collect water from the surface of the ground. The matter, he
could assure them, would receive the attention of the Government, and where the
supply was so imperative both for the inhabitants and for ships visiting the
port there would be little difficulty in the way of enabling the board to raise
a loan on the usual terms to carry out the work.
Mr. Bowden introduced the subject of the financial position
of the board, whose revenue was barely sufficient to enable it to carry on with
the low rate of endowment at present paid. They had obtained a loan of £1000,
which was being repaid at the rate of £90 to £100 per annum, and if the
Government could let them have that loan as a grant it would be a considerable
relief. Personally he felt they were entitled to a higher rate of endowment as,
being formed at a late period, they had not enjoyed the same advantages as
others. At present they could barely carry on, and there were many things
requiring attention, such as the lighting, which was most essential with a
population like that of Thursday Island.
Mr. Nelson expressed regret at hearing what Mr. Bowden had
said. Indeed, it rather staggered him, seeing that they wanted so big a loan
for waterworks. How were they to pay the interest on it? There was no hope of
their getting an increased endowment; the probability was that it would be
wiped out altogether, and the sooner they learned to stand on their own feet
the better. However, he did not think the case was so bad as they wanted to
make out. He thought the resources of the island were immense, and they only
required some pluck and some staying power on the part of the residents and
owners of property to show that the island was able to push ahead on its own
account. He did not see that the Government could do anything to help them.
It was further pointed out that the board had levied the
highest rate payable under the Act—namely, 1¼d. in the pound, which yielded
only £417 per annum; but Mr. Nelson replied that there were still special rates
which could be levied.
At the invitation of the president (Mr. Gummer), who asked
if anyone wished to speak, Mr. Fleming addressed the Ministers at some length.
He complained chiefly of the employment of coloured labour in the stores, and
of the Japanese influx. He said they would like to see the future issue of boat
licenses to coloured men prohibited, so that these men would be employed simply
as paid divers instead of becoming boat-owners. Mr. D. Miles also spoke,
dealing principally with the question of the removal of the small shell from
the old bed. This concluded the business, and the meeting closed.
VISITS OF INSPECTION.
On Sunday morning the Ministers drove round the island
inspecting the proposed sites for the waterworks and the hospital. They also
saw the State schoolroom. After looking at the hospital site they drove along
the Military-road to the south-eastern end of the island, and looked at several
suggested sites. During the afternoon and evening Ministers received visits
from many of the residents, and the subject of pearlshell cultivation, which
appears to be the burning question of the day, was very fully discussed from
all points of view. This, however, must be left for another letter.
The Premier and his colleagues left Thursday Island by the steamer Airlie, as arranged, at about 7 o'clock on Monday morning, and reached Cooktown early on Wednesday.
