Yabba (Yabber Creek) [Camp].pdf - Gilburri

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FRONTIER CONFLICT AND THE NATIVE MOUNTED POLICE IN QUEENSLAND Yabba (Yabber Creek) [Camp] NMP camp information Label Yabba (Yabber Creek) Display geometry [(152.4, -26.6), (152.5, -26.5)] GDA94 Comments 1854: 'Statement of the disposal of the Ten Sections New South Wales Native Police 27 July 1854 [Station: Yabber, O cer: Sublieut J O Bligh (John O'Connell Bligh), Section No 8 2 Native Corporals, 10 Native Troopers Remarks: This Section stationed in the Bunya Country & overlooks both the Moreton & Wide Bay Districts' (Letters relating to Moreton Bay & Queensland: A2 series – Reel A2.30 044-045) 1855: Bligh and 10 troopers (QSA86133 Distribution of Men and Horses of the Native Police on the [blank] day of [blank] 1855) Only ordinary police listed in QSA846884 1871 Table Return Shewing the strength and disposition of Qld Police Force Qtr ending 31March 1871, In letter 71/935 M lm Z7609 Other names Wide Bay Division; Imbil Earliest known date 1853 Latest known date 1856 Minimum duration of camp/NMP presence 3 Desertions 6 in 1856: 'On 20 March 1856 [Edric Morisset] reported to the inspector general of police that six men of the eighth section had deserted from that station on the night of 17 March, leaving their arms and accoutrements. These men were troopers Sandy, Tancred, Gilbert, Callaghan, Anthony, and Aaron. The strength of the Yabba station had been thereby reduced to one corporal and three troopers.' (Skinner 1975:221) Source record characteristics Not listed by Jonathan Richards Location Quarter of a mile from Imbil Station - near the Yabba Falls? The Yabba Falls are located near the old Yabba station, so the location above is the old Yabba station (assuming that the Police camp was located on this run) 'It is said that about a quarter-of-a-mile from Imbil Station there are some magni cent falls 200ft. in height on the Yabba Creek which empties itself into the Mary River. At a time when there were native police barracks there, Mr. John O'Connell Bligh was the rst police o cer stationed in that part.' (Maryborough Chronicle, Wide Bay and Burnett Advertiser 25 December 1886, p7) Documents 20 / 29 entries Title Text File Tools North Australian, Ipswich and General THE NATIVE POLICE. Advertiser, 7 June 1861, p4 [1] (To the Editor of the Courier.) Sir,—The Courier, of the 2nd instant, has just reached us, and by it we have learnt that a committee has been appointed to inquire into, and report upon, the Management, &c., of the native police force. The Colonial-Treasurer, after having moved for a select committee for the above purpose, said it was totally untrue that the Government were inclined to pass over and palliate the indiscriminate slaughter of the aborigines. On the contrary, they were inclined to make the fullest investigation into those charges. He then says the whole question is mixed up with party spirit and pseudo-philanthropy, that when the utility or behaviour of the force was called in question, any provocation given by the natives was kept in the background, whilst provocation given by the whites was, on the other hand, always put Title Text File Tools back as a palliative for the excesses of the blackfellows. We shall not accuse the honorable gentleman of pseudo-philanthropy or party spirit, or of wishing to palliate the alleged atrocities committed by the police, but we will just quote one sentence more of his speech on this occasion, and let every one who may read it, judge what it is intended for. He says: — 'With reference to recent reports of alleged atrocities committed by the police, they should remember that this was one of the recurring years in which the bunya bunya was eaten, and on these occasions the blacks were invariably very troublesome. This may account for the frequency of their collisions with the police. Our station is bounded on three sides— on the North. East, and South — by the main range of the Bunya Bunya Mountains; and from ten years residence upon the station, we ought to be able to speak with some con dence respecting the correctness of the honorable gentleman's statement; and we think that the best comment, that we can make upon it, is to state a few facts and let them speak for themselves. About eight years' ago (the station at that time belonged to Mortimer and Anderson), a number of strange blacks, that had come to eat the bunya bunya, congregated at one of our out-stations, the shepherds and hutkeepers became alarmed, and one of them came to the head station to acquaint us with the state of a airs. Mr. A. being the only party on the head station at the time, went to the out-station where the blacks were congregated. He estimated their number at about two hundred. They were seated all around, and in the hut (the hutkeeper, in his fright, had given up possession and gone outside). Mr. A. forced his way into the hut, and in perfect good humour requested them to go out. They did not at rst seem to understand him, until he give some of them a broad hint by pushing two or three of them outside the door. In less than ten minutes there was not Title Text File Tools one of them in the hut, and in less than an hour every one had left the station, and we had no more trouble from them that year. About six years ago, also, on a year of bunya bunya, a very large number congregated upon the station. They fought on an open level part of the run, near the head station, for three or four days (we estimated their number at between two and three thousand); two or three of them were killed, and about half a dozen wounded. We were a little apprehensive that they might do us some mischief, and we acted upon the advice that Oliver Cromwell gave to his Ironsides. We were, however, very soon relieved from all our apprehensions, for in the course of one afternoon, they dispersed without having done us any injury; and this was the last we saw of any strange blacks for the season. About four years ago we were to Sydney during a bunya bunya season, and cannot say from our own personal knowledge what took place upon the station; but as we heard of no particular mischief having been done by the blacks, we supposed it passed over similar to the other bunya bunya seasons. About two years ago, also a bunya bunya season, a very large number of blacks assembled on the top of a mountain at no great distance from us. We did not hear of any depredation by them; but we did hear some of our neighbours say that they were not favourable to such gathering, especially so near their cattle camp; and a very short time after a great number of them (we estimated it at about three hundred) passed our head station in one day; some of them gave us a call, others passed at a very respectable distance. To wards eight some of our station blacks came up, and to inquired of them the reason why so many blacks were leaving the bunya bunya; they told us "That Mr. Bligh been come up, baal shoot him, and baal run him, only woolah. I believe you budgery fellow; baal spear him bullock, and baal cram him monkey, Title Text File Tools but you been sit down good while and batter bunya, you go home and work now;" and thus another bunya season passed over. As we stated in a former communication how we were treated by some of the o cers of the police force, and as our station is in the Burnett, which district was, we believe, at two di erent times apportioned to the protecting care of Mr. Bligh, we must, in justice to that gentleman, state that it was not whilst under his guardianship that we had any trouble from the blacks; it was during the time of his service in the Clarence. We were not subscribers for a sword that has been presented to Mr. Bligh— his Maryborough exploits we know nothing about — but we do know that the fear of Bligh acts like a hangman's whip on the blacks in our quarter; and yet we never knew him guilty of unnecessary severity in the execution of his duty. We have known him to follow on the track of notorious bad characters for days and weeks, but he seems to make it a point to punish only the guilty, and also a point that the guilty shall not escape, and this, we think, is what gives to his name a magic dread amongst evil doers of the black race in our quarter. It may be when he cannot conveniently apprehend a black that he uses his carbine and if he is sure that he has the right man, we think there is no great harm done, for we have no doubt but certain and summary punishment is the most e ective way of preventing crime amongst the Aborigines; and as prevention is better than cure, it must in the end be the most humane. It may be pseudo- philanthropic, and perhaps un-English, but as in England a man can only be tried before a jury of his peers, it would be just as un-English, to try a savage before a jury of civilised men as to shoot him there and then without bene t of clergy; and we think the latter the better and cheaper way. We have made a long digression, but no doubt you will very readily excuse us, for it is quite plain to be seen that we are Title Text File Tools at business out of our line; we are not labouring in our vocation. But to return to the bunya bunya seasons. The present year, as the Colonial-Treasurer very correctly remarks, is one of the recurring years in which the bunya bunya is eaten; and about three months ago one of our station blacks' came and told us that "plenty myall blackfellow been make him camp-close up cattle; baal spear him, and baal run him. only me think it make him jerron." We started on horseback with the black next' morning, and when we were within a short distance from the scrub where the blacks were hunting and eating bunya; we sent our black on a little ahead, instructing him to cooey to the blacks, and get as many of them together as he could. When he had got a few of them together, we rode up, and found amongst them a good many that we recognised. After talking to them for a short time, and dividing amongst our acquaintances a few gs of tobacco, we told them they may hunt and eat bunya-bunya where they were as long as it lasted, but when it was done they must not go down amongst our cattle, but go round some other way. From the number of camps and blacks which we saw, and the hideous hooting and yelling which we heard in the scrub, we judged that the number of blacks might have been about two hundred, and this was the last we heard or saw of them; and the bunya season is now over for the present year. Now, from the above facts, we may safely say that our ten years' experi ence amongst the bunya mountains does not bear out the assertion made by the Colonial-Treasurer — that in seasons which the bunya bunya is eaten, the blacks are invariably very troublesome; it merely amounts to this, that for about three or four months. when the bunya is plentiful and the blacks come in great numbers to eat it we have been required to exercise a little more vigilance in looking after our sheep and cattle than at other times; and in seasons when the Title Text File Tools blacks have congregated in extraordinarily large numbers, we have felt apprehensive that they intended to do us a mischief, but we have never known a sheep to be taken from our ocks, or a bullock to have been speared, by blacks that came to eat bunya bunya. We disapprove very much of blacks being allowed to assemble in such numbers as they sometimes do in bunya bunya seasons. Such assemblages of them are especially objectionable on cattle runs: and we consider, the Native Police are guilty of great dereliction of duty in not preventing them from doing so. This is our experience. Other squatters who have stations in bunya districts where bunya bunya is plentiful may have a di erent story to tell, and if so, now is the time to do it, for it is clear that the Government is desirous to, elicit *** respecting the merit or demerit of the Native Police as a protective force. But the Colonial Treasurer says they should remember that "this was one of the recurring years in which the bunya bunya was eaten, and on these occasions the blacks are invariably very troublesome, and this may account for the frequency of their collisions with the police." Very true, it may; we arrive at the same conclusion, but from very di erent premises. It is common for all blacks within fty or sixty miles of the Bunya Bunya, in a season when it is plentiful, to leave for a time their more xed localities, and go to eat the bunya bunya. Even station blacks, who never leave their masters at any other time, want a furlough for one fellow moon, or perhaps ve fellow sleep (which generally turns out to be about twice as many weeks), to go and batter bunya bunya and make him corroboree along a broder; and at such times their masters generally give them a little stock of tobacco and a few shillings, of which they are very proud. We had ourselves distributed amongst two or three of our station blacks, who had been doing some work for us, six or eight shillings and about two Title Text File Tools pounds of tobacco about two days previous to the time when the outrage we had reference to in our advertisement took place on our station; the blacks we had given the money and tobacco to were at the camp at the time, and shortly after it took place they returned to the station without a shilling or a pipeful of tobacco. We asked them what they had done, with the tobacco and the money we had just given them. They told us "that been sit down along a dilly, when policeman come up me been throw him away dilly, and cabon run liken scrub; when policeman yawn (go away), that come back and mill mill dilly, but baal nd him tobacco, baal nd him shilling, and baal nd him nye; me thinkit policeman been train him." We may here state that one of them had managed by great entreaties to borrow from us— for convenience, we suppose, of skinning the game, and defending himself from the attacks of saltwater blackfellows— our Arkansas toothpick, as brother Jonathan would say; it was a real Yankee and no mistake blade; about eight inches long, back three-sixteenths of an inch, thick sabre point, ivory handle, mounted with silver. We have not seen it since. If any person will re urn it to us it will be thankfully received, and no questions asked. We do not here prefer any charges against the native police, we merely state facts and give the blacks own opinion of what became of the knife, tobacco, and money which we gave; we know that we gave them these things, we know also that they were at the camp when the attack was made on it, and also that they returned shortly after the at tack took place, without money, knife, or tobacco; they could not have deceived us by concealing any of the articles about their persons, for although they left the station partially clothed and a blanket each, they returned, as a reverend gentleman in writing of the aborigines has said, in puris naturblibus. When we said we arrived at nearly the same conclusion as the Colonial-Treasurer, Title Text File Tools but from very di erent premises we meant that the wily trooper knows very well that the dillies are better worth looking after during the bunya seasons than at other times, and when an attack is made upon a camp of blacks at such times his cupidity is no doubt a strong incentive to his intrepidity. But we wish here to be clearly understood, we do not accuse the o cers of the police of making unnecessary attacks upon the blacks for the sake of gratifying their troopers with a little plunder, we do not believe that there is at present, or that there ever was in the force, an o cer so void of principle; but we do think that when an attack has necessarily to be made upon a camp of blacks during the bunya season it may re quire more care on the part of the o cers to prevent an indiscriminate slaughter at such times than it would to prevent unnecessary severity at other times. You will perceive that as yet we disclaim having preferred any de nite charge against the native police, but we are now about to prefer a charge against them, we hardly know what to call it, some people in this country call it lifting things or shifting things, but as that is a very un-English way of speaking we shall call it downright robbery, and we are prepared to prove it too by our neighbour, Mr. A. Swanson. On the 11th or 12th of February last a party of native police, under the command of Lieut. Morrissett made a foray upon a camp of blacks near the head station Yabber, similar to the one they made a day or two previous upon a camp near our head station, and which we described in an advertisement some time ago. There happened to be at the camp at the time the attack was made, a black in the employment of Mr. James Swanson, who had very shortly before got from Mr. Swanson a good new blanket. As soon as he saw the police coming on the camp he bolted, and "skin for skin, all that a man hath will he give for his life," he left the blanket at the camp, and being a stout Title Text File Tools active young man, he very soon got out of range, and made the best of his way to the head station, where they encamped for the night. The black fellow having now got where he knew he would he protected, ventured up to the police camp, and seeing one of the troopers in possession of his blanket, he demanded it from him. The trooper refused to give it to him, and threatened to shoot him if he asked for it. The black fellow argued the matter with him as well as he could, and told "well baal that belongin to mine, that belong in to master that only been lend him." At last he went to Mr. A. Swanson and told him of it, and he spoke to Mr. Morrissett about it, who at rst scorned the idea of one of his troopers taking a blanket from a black fellow. Mr. Swanston, [sic] however, insisted that they should go and see; they did so, and he (Mr. S.) identi ed the blanket and Morrisett caused the trooper to give it up. Now we think that a job of this kind in England would be called robbery. But we must not put forward all the bad actions which they did about Yabber, and keep the good in the back ground. They did one very commendable action, which Mr. A. S. can also prove, they apprehended two deserters from the native police. One of them was implicated in the murder of Fanny Briggs. Mr. Morrissett had him put in irons and left him charge of the troopers for the night. Mr. Swanson remarked to Mr. Morrissett that he was afraid the prisoner would make his escape before morning. Why he should have suspected so we cannot tell, but unfortunately his suspicions were but too well founded, for it turned out just as be said: and now we have put the committee on a track, which, if they follow it up, they may nd more information respect ing the management, &c, of the Native Police force, and we expect that the hon. the Colonial-Secretary will move a vote of thanks to us before the close of the session; at any rate, it will be very un-English of him if he Title Text File Tools don't. By the bye, the hon. gentleman that we have just been speaking of made a very neat, short speech in vindication of the police force; he said he had not intended to have o ered any re marks on the subject, but as one particular matter had been broached in the course of discussion calculated to militate more than anything else against the character of the Native Police force—he alluded to the charge of murder: he felt bound in vindication, to state that the attacks made on that body, especially by the press, were most cowardly and un-English —under any circumstances, were disgraceful; but they were particularly so in reference to a body of men who had voluntarily risked their lives in defence of the country (hear, hear). You reported does not inform us who the *** was who responded hear, hear, to much twaddle; but, whoever he was; we fancy he must have had the point of his thumb at the extremity of his proboscis, with the rest of his digits pointing towards the speaker, the spaces between them forming something like angles of forty- ve degrees. We observe the hon. gentleman says he is bound to vindicate the police force. We think a vindication of the force would have come from him with a better grace after it had been formally acquitted of the charges preferred against it (as no doubt it will be) by the committee of investigation. But what does his vindication amount to? "A little sound and fury." Has he produced anything to justify the force, or anything to prove the charges false that have been preferred against it? No, he merely makes an assertion that the attacks made on that body, especially by the press, are most cowardly and un-English. We are not sure what meaning he attaches to the word un- English, as we have just looked over Johnson and cannot nd it there; but we shall tell him what meaning we attach to it, and the inference we draw from it, when we see it used in the way he has done. In the rst place, we Title Text File Tools look upon it as intended to convey strong condemnation of the thing or person it is used towards; in the second place we infer that the party who uses it has got an idea that things that are English and things done in the way that things are done in England, are better than things that are un-English, or things that are done in a di erent way from things of the same kind done in England, and consequently that Englishmen are better than men that are not English; and last of all we infer that as a sequence of what we have stated, the party who uses it must be a man of very narrow mind and illiberal sentiments; for our own part, as a general rule, we value things according to their utility, whether they be English or, un-English, and men according to their merit and moral worth, whether their skins be black or white—whether they were born on the banks of the Thames or the Shannon, of the Ganges, or of the Mississippi— and if be intended it for us we shall tell him it was very un-Dutch of him to do so. As to the word cowardly we know of but one meaning for it, and if he meant to use it towards us we very respectfully return the compliment, and tell him that if we have preferred any charges against the native police we have done so over our own signature, and it will be time enough for him to use that epithet towards us when he has been refused any explanation that he may ask for. But we think that in the nish o of the vindicatory speech the hon. gentleman has himself given the native police the worst, the unkindest cut of all,—for it is most certainly a burlesque upon the force, and the o cers themselves must know it to be so, to speak of them as a body of men who had voluntarily risked their lives in defence of the country. Where is the man who ever went out to settle on new country in the northern districts who has not, in some measure, risked his life in the defence of the country, and we submit, without fear of Title Text File Tools contradiction from any one really acquainted with the country, that there is not a shepherd or hutkeeper in the northern districts that has not risked his life in a much more eminent degree in defence of the country, in the same sense, as the native police has (for it is merely a protective force—so are shepherds and hutkeepers) —than any o cer in the native police has any occasion to do; and if the honorable gentleman thinks otherwise we would recommend him to call for a return of all the names of the shepherds and hutkeepers killed by the blacks in the northern districts during the last ten years, and also for a return of the names of all the o cers and troopers killed (and we might here add wounded, scratched, or bitten, for it is well known that the nails and teeth of a black- fellow are his vademecum piece of armour, and we have often seen them, in ghts amongst them selves use the latter with grand e ect on very awkward and inconvenient places of their antagonists,) in the execution of their duty for the same length of time, and we have no doubt but a comparison of the lists will con rm our statement, and we really believe that should the same outcome of evidence that has been brought against the native police be brought against a shepherd or hutkeeper in proof of a similar charge, he would very soon be hung as high as Haman. J. & A. MORTIMER. Manumbar, 18th May, 1861. Title Text File Tools QSA846884 1871 Table Return Shewing the Commissioner of Police Strength and strength and disposition of Qld Police Force Qtr disposition of Police in Quarter to 31 Mar 71 ending 31 March, In letter 71/935 Mfilm Z7609 [In margin: 935 5 Apr 71] RETURN shewing the Strength and Disposition of the Queensland Police Force, Quarter ending 31st of March 1871 [Table not transcribed - see attachment] One Chief Inspector commanding both Ordinary and Native Police in the Northern Districts One Chief Inspector commanding both Ordinary and Native Police in the Southern and Western Districts The Hon the Col Sec THB Barron For Commissioner of Police Title Text File Tools QSA86131 1854 Invoice from M Wallace to 1854 John O'Connell Bligh 21 December, Papers re Sundries A/c No 2 work of Native Police in the Yabber District M. Wallace (South Wide Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 Saddler Brisbane £4.14.0 Mr Bligh Yabba Goods Inn Receipts North Brisbane Dec’r 21st 1854 Native Police Bought of M. WALLACE, SADDLERY, GROCERY, ITALIAN, WINE & SPIRIT STORES. Wholesale and Retail. One New Ring Repairing & Lining Saddle with Curled Hair – 10s Ditto – 10s Stu ng Saddle with new dee and Staple – 6s 6d Stu ng and Repairing Saddle – 6s Repairing Bridle Rein – 6d New Ring repairing and Lining to Saddle – 9s 6d Repairing Head with one new Strap and Lining Saddle – 10s New head new dee repairing and Lining a Saddle – 12s 6d Easeing repairing and Stu ng a Saddle – 7s Easeing Repairing and Lining a Pack Saddle – 10s One Strong Bridle – 12s Total £4.14.0 [Written on diagonal under total] Settled M Wallace QSA86131 1854 Letter from Frederick Keen to Yabber Frederick Walker 1 February, Papers re work of 1st February 1854 Native Police in the Yabber District (South Wide Sir, Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 I have the honor to inform you that according to the instructions conveyed in your letter dated October 8th I started from Yabber for Brisbane on the 25th of October and after visiting the intermediate Stations I arrived in Brisbane on the 8th November 1853. Title Text File Tools 2 By your instructions I called at the Court House to see the Government Resident, and found Captain Wickham, had left for Sydney. I asked Mr Duncan who was acting for the Government Resident; for the warrants to enable me to apprehend the Blacks who had been guilty of the outrages committed in that District; His answer was that he had no warrants, nor did he know the names or descriptions of the depredators. 3 I enquired of the Chief Constable whether he had any warrants, but found that no warrants existed, neither could I gain any intelligence, as to the whereabouts of the depredators. 4 On the 10th and 11th Instant I had the horses shod and on the 13th I left Brisbane on my return to Yabber. On the evening of the 13th I arrived at Mr Cash’s Station and in the two following days I went in search of the two Blacks named in the margin [Billy Barlow; Muller] for whom I held warrants and who I had reason to imagine were on Mr Cash’s run. I could not however nd them, and on the 16th I started for Durundur where I arrived, on the 17th instant. I have received information that the Blacks from various parts of the country had collected to ght, and on the 19th found them while engaged ghting and I dispersed them. On the morning of the 20th Instant left Durundur on my road to the Barracks where I arrived on the 27th 5 In conclusion I would add that I could collect no information from Mr Duncan, as to the identity of identi cation of the Blacks who had committed the numerous atrocities in the Brisbane District that could enable me to act upon without exceeding your instructions. I have the honor to be Sir Your obedient servant [Signed] Frederick Keen Sub Lieutenant N.P. Title Text File Tools To The Com’t Native Police QSA86131 1854 Letter from John O'Connell Native Police Barracks Bligh to Richard Marshall 1, Papers re work of Yabber 15th November 1854 Native Police in the Yabber District (South Wide Sir Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 24345 November I have the honor to state that this Section has been for some time without boots and saddle clothes and that being at Maryborough during my last patrol tour, I opened one case (which was lying in Mr H. Palmer’s Store) addressed to the Native Police and supplied myself with 10 saddle clothes 1. Three armed nipple wrench 2 Lock cramps and all the Boots the case contained viz: 8 pairs. 2. I have the honor to inform you that the several articles named in the margin are also much required by this Section. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Servant [signed] John O’Connell Bligh Sub Lieut 8th Section R.P Marshall Esqr Acting Commandant Native Police [noted in left margin of page] 22 prs white trousers 11 pairs blue trousers 11 caps 22 white shirts 3 prs boots (small size] 6 bits 6 prs reins 3 Headstalls 18 prs Hobbles. Ball cartridges Percussion caps Title Text File Tools QSA86131 1854 Letter from John O'Connell Native Police Barracks Bligh to Richard Marshall 16 November, Papers Yabber 16th November 1854 re work of Native Police in the Yabber District Sir (South Wide Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th Ultimo. 2 With reference to the paragraphs relating to the prevention of disa ection in this Section I am sorry to inform you that during my absence with half the Section, on patrol, Mr Walker sent Trooper Bunya Jimmy to this place, who has already caused considerable disa ection, by telling the troopers, that should the investigation now pending have an unfavourable issue for Mr. Walker he will come up here and take them all away with him. 3 Mr. Walker stated in a private letter to me that he had £41 to pay to me on account of Salary due and I would respectfully enquire whether the payment of such money rests with him or with you. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Servant [signed] John O’Connell Bligh Sub Lieut’nt 8th Section R.P. Marshall Esq Acting Commandant Native Police QSA86131 1855 Letter from John O'Connell Yabber 2nd April 1855 Bligh to Commandant 2 April, Papers re work of Sir, Native Police in the Yabber District (South Wide I do myself the honor to report the death of Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 Corporal Donald No 8 Section, Native Police on the 23r March 1855 from the e ects of dysentery. I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant [signed] John O’C Bligh Sub Lieunt N.P. To The Commandant Native Police Traylan QSA86131 1855 Letter from John O'Connell Title Text File Tools Bligh to Richard Marshall 13 February , Papers re work of Native Police in the Yabber District Native Police Barracks (South Wide Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 Yabber 13th February 1855 Sir I am sorry to be obliged to bring before your notice the extremely mutinous conduct of Trooper Dick & Corporal Donald of this Section, the circumstances of which are these – I this morning told Trooper Dick to go in search of horse (I wanted to send two men to meet Lieutenant Irving) – he seemed sulky at my telling him to do so but of this I took no notice. I however went this evening to the Barracks and found that instead of looking for he had been hunting kangaroos with Blacks, in fact he told me as much himself. I then ordered him to get his carbine and walk Sentry, this he refused to do, and would not get up from where he was lying. I then threatened to handcu him upon which he jumped up and dared me to do so bearing at the same time a “nullah nullah” under his arm, and saying “Come on you put the handcu s on me now”, and on his coming close to me and repeating this, I pushed him from me and told him to go away; he then caught hold of me and threw me violently to the ground – Corporal Donald then joined with him in most abusive and mutinous language to me Corporal Donald in particular threatened to put handcu s on me and told me that I was not his o cer and that Mr Walker had told him and all the men in February last (when I rst took command of this Section) that if I “bounced” any of them, they were to do so in return, and to go to him (Mr Walker) for redress . I have the honor to state that these are the plain facts of the case and to submit them to you for your decision and instructions. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Servant [signed] John O’Connell Bligh Sub Lieut’t * Section Title Text File Tools R.P. Marshall Esq Act’g Commandant Native Police QSA86131 1855 Letter from John O'Connell Yabber 2nd April 1855 Bligh to Richard Marshall 2 Apri, Papers re work Sir, of Native Police in the Yabber District (South I do myself the honor to report that the 21st Wide Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434l instant I sent four troopers round the District with circulars addressed to the di erent settlers requesting them to forward by the bearers their several accounts against the Native Police – in some instances, my request has not been attended to Messrs Scote, McKenzie and Graham have neglected to send their accounts. Mr Scote informed me by letter, that he had already furnished his to you. I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant [signed] John O’C. Bligh Sub Lieut N.P. To The Commandant Native Police Traylan QSA86131 1855 Letter from John O'Connell Native Police Barracks Bligh to Richard Marshall 22 October, Papers re Yabber 22nd October 1855 work of Native Police in the Yabber District Sir (South Wide Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 I have the honor respectfully to request that I may be informed whether my Salary & Allowance, for the Quarter ended 30th June and 30th September 1885, have been placed … my credit as I have hitherto received no indication to that e ect. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Servant [signed] John O’C Bligh Sub Lieut’nt * 8th Section N.P. R.P. Marshall Esq’r Commandant Native Police Traylan Title Text File Tools QSA86131 1855 Letter from John O'Connell Native Police Barracks Bligh to Richard Marshall 28 April, Papers re Yabber 28th April 1855 work of Native Police in the Yabber District Sir, (South Wide Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 I have the honor to state that here is a small medicine chest (which I am informed belongs to the Native Police), at Mr McTaggart’s Station and to request your permission to appropriate the same to the use of the 8 Section. 2. Several of the medicines having been used, it would I conjecture be necessary, to send it to a chemist at Brisbane for replenishing. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Servant [signed] John O’C Bligh Sub Lieut’t 8th Sect. N.P. R.P. Marshall Esq Commandant Native Police Traylan QSA86131 1855 Letter from John O'Connell Native Police Barracks Bligh to Richard Marshall 28 April, Papers re Yabber 28th April 1865 work of Native Police in the Yabber District Sir (South Wide Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 I have the honor to inform you that Trooper Gilbert is again so ill that I am under the necessity of sending him to Gayndah to be a second time under the care of Dr Browne. Hoping that this course will meet your approval. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Servant [signed] John O’C. Bligh Sub Lieut’t 8th Section N.P. R.P. Marshall Esq’r Commandant Native Police Traylan Title Text File Tools QSA86131 1855 Letter from Samuel Irving to Yabber 7th March 1855 Richard Marshall 7 March, Papers re work of Sir, Native Police in the Yabber District (South Wide I do myself the honor to request that you will Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 inform me whether the Government will allow me travelling expenses from Bourke to Brisbane and reasonable expenses while detained there for the purpose of giving evidence before the Board appointed to hold an investigation into the conduct of the late Commandant. I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant [signed] S.J. Irving Lieutenant N. Police To The Acting Commandant Native Police Traylean QSA86131 1855 Letter from Samuel Irving to Yabber 7th March 1855 Richard Marshall 7 March, Papers re work of Sir, Native Police in the Yabber District (South Wide I do myself the honor of acknowledging the Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 receipt of your circulars of February 21st 1855 and beg to inform you the instruction therein contained related to the Account furnished by the Letters for supplies of the Native Police Force shall be strictly adhered to. I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant S.J. Irving Lieut’t Nat. Police To The Acting Commandant Native Police Traylan Title Text File Tools QSA86131 1856 Letter from Edric Morisset To Yabber 18th March 1856 Richard Marshall 18 March, Papers re work of Sir Native Police in the Yabber District (South Wide I have the honor to inform you that six of the Bay) 1851–1857, Mfilm 2434 Troopers named in the margin [Sandy, Tancred, Callaghan, Anthony, Gilbert & Aaron] last night deserted. I have thought it advisable to apply to you for a reinforcement of four men from Traylan, until other men can be had to take the places of those deserted. As these men have for a long time been intimate with the Blacks here, I am afraid they have joined them, and will most likely persuade them to sheep stealing and other depredations, I therefore request that no time may be lost in starting the men from Traylan. I understand that Sandy and Tancred are the men who persuaded the others to desert. I have the honor to be Sir, Your Obd’t Serv’t [signed] E.V. Morisett Lt Native Police R.P. Marshall Esq’r Lt. Native Police QSA86133 1854 Letter from Richard Marshall to Traylan May 19th Commandant 19 May, General correspondence 1854 records of the Native Police 1848–1857, Mfilm 2435 Comt N. Police Callandoon Sir I have the honor to State for your information that the Bullock driver Wm Hammond arrived this evening from Maryborough. [In margin: ‘Wm Hammond’] 2. Would you be so kind as to furnish me with instructions as to how the postal communication between this place and Port Curtis is to be carried out. 3. Troopers Rinaldo and Timothy are escorting sheep to Port Curtis. I have now in Barracks Title Text File Tools only three men t for duty, who will be employed immediately as an escort for Messrs Hays cattle, they are expected daily. 4. Trooper Conway arrived here from Burrandowan on Tuesday last, he is totally un t for duty. 5. Acting Adjt Dolan has gone to inspect the detachments stationed at Tinana and Yabber. 6. No ammunition was landed at Maryborough. 7. I have received a written complaint from Mr Commissioner Halloran against Corporal Larry having left his detachment contrary to orders; I wrote you sometime since asking for information as to how the detachment at Tinana was to be employed, I have as yet received no answer from you; from a letter to Mr Halloran it appears to me that he is under a mistake as to the purpose for which a detachment of Native Police was placed under his orders. I have shown your letter to Acting Adjutant Dolan and given him written instructions to remove the detachment from Tinana if your wishes have not been carried out. From a private note received from Mr Halloran it would appear that he has taken Trooper Rodney to Brisbane with him as an orderly. 9. Lieut. Murray has not sent an escort in from Port Curtis since 9th April. 10. I forward you Mr Commissioner Halloran’s correspondence relative to Corporal Larry, who accompanies Sub Lt Fortescue to Callandoon. I have the honor to be Sir Your obt Servant Title Text File Tools R.P. Marshall 1st Lt N. Police QSA86133 1855 Distribution of Men and Horses See attachment [NB: Because this document is of the Native Police on the [blank] day of [blank] in tabular format the attachment is the 1855, General correspondence records of the transcript rather than the original] Native Police 1848–1857, Mfilm 2436 QSA86135 1855 Duty List of the Native Police See attachment [NB: Because this document is stationed at Traylan from the 1st June 1854 to in tabular format the attachment is the 18th Feby 1855 Inclusive, Mfilm 2435 transcript rather than the original] QSA86138 1854 Letter from Arthur Halloran to Copy Chief Commissioner Crown Lands 7 February, Papers re work of Native Police in the Waller Crown Lands o ce District including Maryborough, Mfilm Z2433 Tinana 7th February 1854 The Chief Commissioner of Crown Lands Sydney Sir, I have the honor to report for your information that on the 16 Instant I apprehended a Native Black against whom a warrant was issued in the month of December 1852 for the murder of a Chinaman and who has since been committed to take his trial for the o ence. 2. In consequence of this man's apprehension and committal very great excitement prevails amongst of the Fraser Island Blacks, who have mustered in large numbers, round Maryborough with the expressed determination of rescuing the prisoner and destroying the Town. On Sunday last they appeared in such formidable numbers around the town, all armed with spears and nulla nullas that I was obliged to send in my own men to disperse them and order them to return to the Island, there being at present only two constables in Maryborough the other two being on Escort duty to Sydney with prisoners. As the numbers of white inhabitants Title Text File Tools decreases the daring of the Blacks increases and if they know their own strength, this place would very soon be abandoned. 3. On Sunday last a female was assaulted by a Black at East Maryborough, and the garden of a person named Clary was on the same day robbed to a considerable extent. 4. In the Widgee Widgee District the Blacks are also committing serious depredations spearing cattle and stealing sheep notwithstanding there is a section of the Native Police stationed at Yabba to keep them in order. 5. For apprehending the Black, the Saltwaters, as I have been informed by many of the Maryborough Blacks have threatened to burn not only my quarters but the whole Town and to murder all the inhabitants and as great alarm appears to be felt by the Townspeople I shall request Sub Lieutenant Walker (whose station I shall pass on Friday on my way to Calan for which locality I shall start tomorrow) to visit the Town during my absence, with the section of Native Police under his command which may have the e ect of keeping the Blacks quiet I have &c (signed) A.E. Halloran CC Lands Title Text File Tools QSA86138 1854 Letter from Arthur Halloran to Commissioner of Crown Lands O ce Richard Purvis Marshall 23 June, Papers re work Tinana 23 June 1854 of Native Police in the Waller District including Maryborough, Mfilm Z2433 Lieut Marshall J.P. N.P. Traylan Sir 1. I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4 Inst (handed to me this Evening by Native Serjeant Sam) intimating that Mr Walker, Commdt N.P. has directed the return to Traylan of the Detachment of Police stationed at Tinana, and in reply I beg to acquaint you that in obedience to your orders exercised[?] under the discretion of Sergt Dolan, Troopers Tahiti & Jimmy left here for Traylan on the morning of Wednesday the 14 Inst. 2. Troopers Dick and Rodney who were to have accompanied me to Brisbane, but who from the illness of Dick I was obliged to leave at Mr Balfour’s Station, have only now returned to Maryborough with Sergt Sam and will proceed with him tomorrow morning on their return to Traylan. When I left these men at Balfour’s their horses were in good condition, but as they have been visiting Yabber, & riding about instead of returning direct to Tinana I fear they will not now be in good order for travelling. I may add that when I was at Mr Balfour’s on my return home I heard of Dick & Rodney having the same day reached Cressbrook, and I remained a day at Colinton to enable them to overtake me; why they did not do so, I am at a loss to understand. I have the honor to be Sir your most obedient Servant Arthur E. Halloran Pol. Magt Commr of Crown Lands Postings 20 / 22 entries O cer/Trooper Earliest Latest Camp Tools Morisset, Edric Norfolk Vaux 1856 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Aaron 1855 1856 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Anthony (also spelt Antony) 1855 1856 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Boonya James (aka Bunya Jimmy, Boonya Jemmy and Boonya Jimmy) 1855 1857 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Callaghan 1855 1856 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Charlie (also Charles) O'Malley 1 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Cum Bilbilla (also spelt Cumbilbilla and Cumbilbillo) 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Dick 1 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Donald 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Geewar (aka Geegan, Gigwar and Geegwaw) 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) O cer/Trooper Earliest Latest Camp Tools Gilbert 1 1855 1856 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Irving, Samuel James Crummer 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Matteya (also spelt Mateya and Matheya and given as Matty) 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Natty (aka Nalty?) 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Sandy 2 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Tancred 1 1855 1856 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Warbragen (also spelt Warbreccan, Warbracan, Warbrican and Warbregan, 1855 Yabba and given as Wabrican Neddy) (Yabber Creek) Bligh, John O’Connell 1854 1855 Yabba (Yabber Creek) McGrath, Matthew 1853 Yabba (Yabber Creek) Wallaby 1853 Yabba (Yabber Creek) References 1 entry Author Date Chapter Title/Journal Book/Journal Title Page Tools Article Title numbers Skinner, 1975 Police of the Pastoral Frontier: Native Lionel E. Police 1849-59