Clubs foil Bay’s grey marauders
Maltese- born labourer Lorenzo Borg joined the AIF in Townsville in March, 1916, aged 20, and left Brisbane for England five months later with reinforcements for the 47th Infantry Battalion. Taken on strength in France in February, 1917, Private Borg needed treatment for trench fever in May, 1917 and was wounded in April 1918. He was sent back to Australia and discharged in October, 1918, recovering from gunshot wounds. Lieutenant Richard Stewart ( Dick) Burstal of the 1st Australian Infantry Battalion was killed in action at Pozieres, on July 25, 1916. The elder son of Townsville bank inspector Richard Burstal ( senior), he was well known in southern NSW, where he worked as a stock and station agent before enlisting in April, 1915, aged 23. Misspelt when named in Lt Burstal’s honour in 1919, the street was renamed in 1969 after another slain soldier, Allen Patrick Yeatman. a shark in Alma Bay on January 25, 1929.]
The new fence itself, on which work is now virtually completed, is a workmanlike structure of stout steel driven in seven feet, about 260 yards from the water’s edge, and stretching to each side.
It leaves plenty of room inside, for on Sunday morning, there was 11 to 12 feet of water just inside the rails.
Nor does it break the surf to any extent. It is undoubtedly a sure shield and protection against those cruel grey ocean marauders, and should stand the test of heavy weather.
The undertaking reflects great credit on those responsible for it, the energetic committee, Messrs Hayles Magnetic Ltd, the Arcadian Life Saving Club and the contractor, Mr Mitchell.
The last named has not had the best of luck with the work, as on more than one occasion, exceptionally heavy weather held up the work, and indeed put it back seriously.
However, he has completed a good sound job in the face of numerous difficulties and more than his share of ill fortune. It is a great relief now to know that one can swim all day in Alma Bay without a trace of anxiety and that never again can there be another such tragic occurrence as marred last season.
This perfect little pleasure resort will now leap ahead in popularity, and become one of the best known and most attractive spots in Australia.
[ Townsville Daily Bulletin, October 14, 1930] The Townsville Star reports some uneasiness was felt yesterday afternoon when the rumour gained currency that a case of plague had developed in the vicarage, Melton Hill. Inquiries proved the report to be too true. For the past two days the Rev J. W. Ward had been suffering from indisposition and Dr Routh, on being called, had some suspicion that the symptoms were indicative of plague. He thereupon called in Dr Row, who backed this diagnosis … and at once communicated with Alderman T Willmett ( chairman of the Joint Epidemic Board) [ who] issued orders for the removal of the Rev Mr Ward to the Plague Quarantine Station, on the Town Common. We are pleased to hear the case is a particularly mild one and is unlikely to be followed by an serious consequences. Thomas Seymour ( detective senior sergeant of police) proceeded against Hannah Sabina Stag, otherwise known as “Mrs Lowe” for keeping a house for immoral purpose. The case was remanded to the 11th inst, bail being allowed in the sum of £ 40. Captain Voss, who has made a worldwide name as a lonely voyager in small sailing craft, is concluding his venturesome voyage in his present boat, as the Tilikum II, which has been lying in the Inner Harbor for some weeks, has been sold at Townsville. The purchasers, it is understood, are Messrs Smith and Agnew, a local firm of contractors, and the price was £ 200. As the Tilikum II was built outside the Commonwealth, duly of 25 per cent, had to be paid on the vessel being sold. With the approach of carnival week, the town is livening up and already there are a good many visitors. For the daylight hours the show and races will provide plenty of excitement.