BUSY TIME FOR KETCH

Evening Post, Volume CXXV, Issue 48, 26 February 1938, Page 24

BUSY TIME FOR KETCH

Carrying among her passengers two men who are to join the McCoy scientific expedition at present on King Island, the auxiliary ketch Lady Flinders left Melbourne recently on her return voyage to Whitemark, Flinders Island, by way of King Island, Three Hummock'lsland, and, Launceston. On her arrival at Launceston the Lady Flinders will have completed her sixth of ten charter trips on the King Is-land-Melbourne run. Usually the ketch is engaged solely on the Laun-ceston-Flinders Island run andadjac-

ent islands "if sufficient inducement offers," a trade which in recent years has improved, not only in freight service, but largely in tourist traffic. Some years ago Flinders Island, as the largest of about 100 islands and islets of the Furneaux Group, was a little-known spot that knew no transport, except by water, and few. facilities or comforts beyond a hotel at "The Mark" and general stores at odd vantage points. Today, • however, Whitemark, as well as its hotel, boasts a butter factory, an aerodrome, several garages and shops, and numerous guest-houses, which cater for a large tourist traffic induced in recent years by the splendid scenery, beaches, and sport the island has to offer tourists. From the beginning of March until the end of April the Lady Flinders will be withdrawn from the King Is-land-Melbourne run to maintain a weekly service to Flinders Island during the mutton bird season, the island's busiest time. The Lady Flinders—one of the last sailing vessels to carry passengers in Australian waters—is owned by. Captain H. Nicholls, but is commanded by Captain W. E. Leggett, well known in the Bass Strait trade. Mrs. Nicholls, wife of the owner, and her niece, Miss M. Nicholls, assist in the culinary department and in the welfare of the passengers.