ENPages
1
[centred] NATIVE TROOPERS. To the Editor of the Port Denison Times.
SIR --- It has been truly observed that "coming events cast their shadows before them;" and if we may judge by the way in which the Government of Brisbane have [sic] systematically and carelessly and wilfully ignored the protection of the people residing in this district, one might be led to suppose that Separation was looming but a short distance ahead. Is there not one man in the House of Assembly to call for a return of stock killed by the blacks and murders committed by them, as reported to the Inspector of Native Police, and request that the same be printed for the enlightenment of the whole colony, and published in the nearest local paper to which the cases have occurred, so that the public may know if the troopers do their duty, and whether those who risk so much and prepay into the Treasury such enormous sums for rent, receive anything like the law, justice, and protection, which the aforesaid prepaid rents for their SIX MONTHS' leases so clearly and unmistakenly entitle them to receive? Permit me, Mr. Editor, to ask you what steps have been taken by the Brisbane Government to prevent or lessen the repeated destruction of sheep and cattle within fifteen miles of Bowen, which occurred on the 26th May, and again on the 14th July last? On the first occasion were not some blackfellows shot for the supposed murder by some of them of the late unfortunate man, Joseph E. Peate? Is this the kind of law which the Brisbane Government metes out to Her Majesty's subjects in Queensland?
Why cannot the force be increased for a few months and these marauders captured and confined in safety on some island for a few years, whereby all those who make a brag of and profess to have the chief welfare of the aborigines of Northern Queensland at heart may take prompt action in the matter, instead of supinely twaddling and waiting until they are slaughtered by (a fiction of law) their fellow-subjects?
I will also ask you, Mr. Editor, what action was taken when notice was given of 1200 ewes and lambs being wantonly and maliciously destroyed by the blacks on the 14th July, and the stations abandoned in consequence, and this only fifteen miles from the central Native Police camp of the Kennedy District? And I say that the blacks are still there in great force on the day on which this communication is dated. Ten days elapsed after notice had been given of the destruction and depredation by the blacks of the station and stock, when three troopers and the Lieutenant entered an appearance. Is not this a proof of the weakness and reprehensible misrule of those whom the people have appointed to the lucrative honour of directing the course of Government? Has not this culpable negligence on their part resulted in a loss to the whole community of several hundreds of pounds sterling? The Government are [sic] clearly liable for damages for their gross indifference to the welfare of this district. Is it to be expected that shepherds or stockkeepers can or will fire upon the blacks, or that they possess a courage superior to those who dwell in towns and cities? Are the squatters to keep an armed force to patrol their runs? If so, of what use is the Government? In conclusion, I hope that some decisive measures will be carried, and that the repetitions of the outrages and murders of both white and black men may be altogether avoided, and the great and repeated destruction of stock in this district be discontinued.
Yours, &c., BEDA. Bowen, 5th Aug., 1867.