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(No. 4.)
DIRECTOR OF FORESTS to CAPTAIN KENT
28th September, 1907.

Sir,-With reference to your letter of the 25th instant to the Hon. the Minister for Lands,
applying for timber leases on Fraser lsland, 1 shall be glad if you will be good enough to call and see
me at 3 p.m. on Wednesday next, the 2nd prox.
I have, &c,
PHILIP MAC MAHON,
Director of Forests.
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(No. 5.)
MEMORANDUM IN CAPTAIN KENT'S HANDWRITING.
THE FRASER ISLAND COMPANY-IN PROCESS OF FORMATION.
The original offer made by the representative of this company was : To take all the homeless
blacks, who are now loafing about the various towns in Queensland, and who the Protector (capable and
vigilant as he undoubtedly is) cannot reach, and employ such of them as are able to work at various new
industries at the same rates of pay as white men, and finding rations, blankets, and clothing for the
women, children, and men unable to work, with schooling and religious (unsectarian) instruction for
the young.
During the six months, in 1903, Captain and Mrs. Kent were in charge of Fraser Island Mission
Reserve, with an average number of about 150 blacks of mixed sexes and ages, there was only one
death (an old woman who died of old age). When that place was broken up, the majority of the blacks
were taken to Yarrabah, in the North, at which place there have been very few deaths. About sixty were
left behind, and became scattered about. Of this sixty fully twenty have died withn three years. This
shows distinctly that under humane white supervision this fast dying race have a better chance of
surviving.
The figures quoted above are approximate. In any case these blacks, if employed, would have
been under the supervision of Mr. Howard, the Chief Protector: who is a thoroughly humane man, and
probably the best friend the Queensland blacks have ever had. He has reported favourably of the
scheme.
Who can deny the right of the Fraser Island blacks to earn their own living on their own island?
Great Sandy Island has been lying idle since it was created, excepting one company (Wilson,
Hart, and Co.), who have invested enormous sums to work a portion of it for timber; and now, when
an offer is made to develop it, all kinds of stumbling blocks are put in the way. Will the Government
sink £50,000 or £100,000 in developing it?
Recognising the fact that this question cannot be settled '' off hand" by the Government, the
company (in process of formation) have dropped the aboriginal matter, until it can be thoroughly
inquired into, and will employ white men entirely (local married men for preference) at the highest
rates of pay ruling in Federated Australia for such work, and abide by all union rules and regulations.
It has never been their intention to cut rates or wages, or to enslave or oppress any human being.

While Capt. Kent was in Maryborough last month, numerous deputations of natives - many
coming from the far North - waited on him, and begged him to use his influence with the Government
to have them returned under him (Capt. Kent) to Fraser Island.

Finally, Captain and Mrs. Kent are well known as having befriended these people, and they were
more successful in their efforts than anyone who has undertaken the work (Mr. and Mrs. Gribble Snr, senior
and junior, excepted).

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[Enclosure No. 1 with No. 5.]
EXTRACT FR0M THE "SYDNEY MAIL."

THE DEVELOPMENT OF FRASER ISLAND.

Captain Kent is now in Brisbane pressing on the Government a scheme for the development of
Fraser Island and the establishment of several industries. Primarily, the proposal is to develop the
timber industry, but along with this will be the establishment of the pearl and edible oyster business; the
growth of sisal hemp and canning of fish. Captain Kent is acting -on behalf of a New South Wales
syndicate, which is prepared to make a large expenditure carrying out their proposals. The application
made to the Government is that a large portion of Fraser Island not otherwise taken up should be handed
over by the Government, in return for which the syndicate will take all the aboriginals in the district, not
only maintain them free of expense to the Government, but pay them well for all work done.
--

[Enclosure No.2 with No. 5.]
Extract from the "Daily Mail," 26th SEPTEMBER, 1907.
OVER THE CHAIR.
In the Legislative Assembly yesterday, Mr. Mitchell gave notice of a series of questions with
regard to an offer made by a Southern syndicate to develop portion of Fraser Island with the assistance
of aboriginal labour. One of the series hinted at slavery, and expressed an opinion - the opinion that
if anything was done in the direction indicated it should be done by the State. " Down with private
enterprise," sarcastically remarked an Opposition supporter. Mr. Mitchell is evidently of the opinion
that what would be slavery under private enterprise would be unadulterated charity under the State.