3

[digital number] 0235

THIS ITEM IS TOP-NUMBERED TO 823/1895W

kept by Constable Higgins & Find that
the average distribution right through has
been about twice weekly. Less flour is now given
as the beef goes further. It is supplied very
Cheap and Constable Higgins informs me
the blacks prefer it to flour.

No 4
Is Mr. Putts opinion. I beg to differ with him
and feel sure there would be a cry of ---
indignation at once from the Settlers in the
Barron Valley were the distributions of rations
stopped. I cannot refrain here from saying
that Mr. Putts opinion has little or no weight
in the district. He is commonly termed a
wind bag. A short time since his opinions
were totally different to those expressed in
his letter to the Minister. I enclose you a
cutting from one of the local papers which
shows that Mr. Putts opinion in Sept. last was
that the amount allowed to feed the Blacks
should be increased to £40 per month.
I believe if tenders had not been called for
the supply of rations Mr. Putts letter would
never have been written and that he is
pulling the chesnuts out of the fire for some
one else.

No 5
With ampler police protection than we now
have before the blacks were brought in, it
was found impossible to protect the Selectors
crops. The black question is not solved but
is in course of solution which under the
present system is eminently satisfactory and
I would not dare (feeling the terrible responsibility)
to suggest or recommend any alteration of
that system at present or for some considerable
time to come. That the back scrubs are
teeming