FRONTIER CONFLICT AND THE NATIVE MOUNTED POLICE IN QUEENSLAND QSL 1855 Report from Arthur Halloran to the Chief C… Default Title QSL 1855 Report from Arthur Halloran to the Chief Commissioner of Lands 1 January, NSW Colonial Secretary Letters Relating to Moreton Bay and Queensland 1822–1860, Reel A2.32 Text Wide Bay and Burnett District The Commissioner of Crown Lands for the District of Wide Bay and Burnett, to the Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands making annual report on the state of the Aborigines during the year 1854 Commissioners o ce, Tinana Wide Bay 1st January 1855 The Chief Commissioner Of Crown Lands Sydney Sir 1. I have the honor to forward my annual report on the state of the Aborigines in the District for the year 1854. 2. In performing this duty, I regret to be obliged to remark that during the last 6 months the outrages committed by the Aborigines in the neighborhood of Wide Bay, have been considerably on the increase, two men having, at di erent times, been murdered, and a woman and her son of fourteen years of age, nearly so, within a few miles of Maryborough, while robberies have been of almost daily occurrence in and about the township. Indeed I fear it will be many years before any permanent Improvement takes place in the coast Blacks, who are very numerous, and whose facilities for eluding pursuit render them very daring in perpetrating these outrages. The most serious of the depredations committed by the blacks I have from time to time communicated to you. 3. In the interior of the District where the stations are near each other, the conduct of the Aborigines presents some features, that seem to give promise of inuring[?] them to industrial employment. The shepherding on many stations has been performed almost entirely by Blacks, who have also materially assisted in sheep washing and also pressing the wool, however as a general rule they are too migratory in their habits to settle to any continuous employment in one place, their services therefore can never be depended upon by the squatters. 4. A case occurred in Maryborough a few weeks ago, which has created a very great sensation amongst the Aborigines, and will I greatly fear, lead to retaliation on their part. I allude to a case that I lately reported to you, of two Aborigines being poisoned from eating damper made out of our stolen from the store of Mr H. Palmer. I go amongst them as much as I possibly can, and endeavour to conciliate them, and make them understand that I am ??? as much as for that of the white inhabitants. 5. During my last journey to inspect runs, in a distant and unoccupied part of the District a white man, who for the last fteen years has been living among the Aborigines, and who is said to have instigated them to commit depredations was fortunately captured by Lieutenant Bligh and his Native Police who were with me. The circumstance caused great excitement amongst the Blacks who hung about us in considerable numbers on the mountains during our stay in that locality. 6. The issue of Blankets had for some time a bene cial e ect on the Blacks and as long as I had a small party of Native Police acting under my control, this portion of the District was comparatively quiet. 7. On the whole I regret to say, that not withstanding my exertions to prevent it, outrages by the Aborigines has been on the increase during the past year, and the progress of civilization has certainly not increased since the date of my last report and life and property are in constant danger from their aggressions. I have the honor to be Sir, your most obed Servt Arthur E Halloran C.C.Lands Related o cers Bligh, John O’Connell Related events Attack on Aboriginal people - Palmer's store, west? Maryborough (November 1854) Collection State Library of Queensland
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