2

[digital number] 0234

THIS ITEM IS TOP-NUMBERED TO 823/1895W

Saturdays and this is done to keep them
tractable and quiet. They cannot understand
that they are not to participate in the
food when they are in Camp. A boy will
at such times get about 2lbs of beef which
they seem to prefer to flour and which
the present contract is certainly very cheap.

The chief object, I take it, is to restrain
the Aborigines from commiting depredations
and I maintain that since they have
been fed this object has been attained at
a far less cost to the Government than
could have been possible under the old
system of sending the troopers after them.

Under the old system of Native Police patrol
they were never kept in subjection and
depredations never ceased but were constantly
recurring. Now we have practically no
depredations and upwards of 400 Aborigines
are managed & controlled by one Constable
and Three trackers.

No 2
Is quite true, nor do those about Atherton
participate beyond what I have already
stated. Whilst in work my instructions are
that those employing them must feed and
clothe them. This I understand is done
and the little they may occasionally get
is neither here nor there and further I think
it is wise, in the general good, to give them
an occasional feed. It keeps them from
thieving at an infinitismal [sic] cost.

No 3
Is untrue. Rations are supplied twice a week.
For a few months they were distributed weekly
but under the present contract they are fed
as stated. I have just examined the book
kept