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[first page]
the proposed new system, there will
be no difficulty in their killing
a bullock at the most convenient
place; as they will know approximately
the whereabouts of the blacks at any
time - But at present the only
practicable way is to kill in the
vicinity of Moreton where the
Batavia tribes and occasionally
the Ducie tribe gather together -

I have written to Mr. Inspector
Lamond explaining this and the
best arrangement that could be made
at present - Mr Lindeman rendering
every assistance to carry it out.-

When men like Meston come amongst
the blacks they do a great deal of harm
by taking their weapons and giving
little or nothing in exchange - Most
bushmen in dealing with the natives
in this way give them fair exchange,
and being used to this, they give their

[second page]
weapons when asked for, in expectation
of being fairly dealt with - I have
lately seen a number of natives
with whom Meston had come in contact
with. Their general expression of opinion
was "He no good". I was greatly
amused at one old fellow called
"Tarbucket" - the Mamoose of Prince
of Wales Island. He had shadowed
Meston all the time he was on Thursday
Island. Meeting him Tarbucket afterwards
I asked him if he was sorry Meston
had gone, he said "I don't know,
"I don't think he much good, that fellow
"owe me fifteen pounds, no pay it."
This was the secret of his attachment. The
debt was over the Meston-Purcell spec.,
when the blacks were stranded in Melbourne.

That pathetic story about "Wild Tom"
was rubbish. Meston had promised to
take him to Brisbane on his return trip.
Tom - who could speak very good English -

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