16. Communication

Chronicle (Adelaide, SA : 1895 - 1954), Saturday 21 July 1906, page 43

LIFE ON KANGAROO ISLAND.

(By Ethel A. Bates.)

Although at present we are enjoying a twice a week mail service, carried on by the Kooringa and Ceres respectively, there is still much difficulty experienced in communicating with the mainland. This is greatly augmented by the deplorable fact that we possess neither a telephone nor telegraph office. Cape Willoughby is the nearest office to Penneshaw, that being some 18 to 20 miles distant. The cost to establish telegraphic communication with Penneshaw would be but small, as the line stretching, overland, from Kingscote to Willoughby, comes within eight miles of our neglected little town.

A police-station has, too, been a long-felt necessity, although residents are, generally speaking, most orderly; yet there are times when the aid of the indispensable ''beadle' would be welcomed by the majority of our peace-loving residents. However, we are gratified somewhat by the promise that our desires in this direction will ere long be satisfied. Mounted-Constable Thorpe, stationed at Kings-cote, pays us periodical visits, so we are thankful for small mercies and his obliging protection.

Writing these series of articles for your, perusal has caused me unspeakable pleasure, and if reading them affords you one-half the enjoyment it gave the writer in preparing them, I shall feel amply repaid; more so, if by any means it should induce any of my comrades of the pen to pay this historical little spot a visit. Nowhere, in such a small compass is there such a concentration of evidences of this State's first discovery and settlement as here, and, therefore, lovers of these facts will find ample to interest them. Of amusements we have few to offer, but here we have Nature in its most beautiful rustic forms: this, added to the geniality of its populace, will give to you a pleasant, healthful holiday, together with some of life's sweetest and best recollections.