1910 PPC of Bundaberg to Tasmania with fine strike of the by now very worn 'LOOSE/SHIP/LETTER'-in-oval h/s (Hosking #1308, which we believe is simply a worn state of #5802, with large circular 'O's and large stops) and South Australian 1d pink tied by Brisbane cds of 19AU10, bumped corners. [The message indicates the sender was a missionary at Alligator River, about 180km E of Darwin, in a remote area of Arnhem Land that has never had a post office. The card would have been placed aboard a coastal ship that was probably making a monthly delivery of supplies]
POSTMARKS: 'MARANBOY/28MR50/NORTH-AUST' very fine b/s on unclaimed Tatts cover also with 'KATHERINE/NORTH-AUST' cds (2 different), manuscript "Deceased" & returned, central fold. Not listed in the Handbook, so should be rated RRRRR. Maranboy (2) PO -.1.1946; TO 23.4.1976; closed 13.10.1976. [Beswick Station is about 40km E of Maranboy, which is about 55km E of Katherine. There was a TO at Beswick 1952-1969]