ENPages
page_0001
[written in top left] "Copy"
N. M. P. Camp
Barcoo
17th January 1876
Constable J.J. Williams Reg' No 319 begs to report for the information of his Inspector that in obedience to his Inspector's orders the Constable and Trooper 'Joe' proceeded to Home Creek Station on the 13th instant to search for a Kanaka reported as having been lost there. It being raining very heavy at Home Creek that evening the Constable was unable to find any track and though he and the Trooper searched for Miles around on the 14th inst. there was nothing seen of the lost Kanaka. On the 15th inst the Constable, Trooper 'Joe' and one of Mr. Crombie's black boys went on foot to search through the scrub and about the waterholes near the station but could find no track of him. On the 16th the Constable and Trooper left the station and proceeded a distance of about (10) ten miles in an easterly direction and then turned south - going at times from east to west and vice versa trying to find his track in case he should be making for Yamba. Found no sign of him. Camped at Skeleton Creek and returned to Camp on above date 17th instant.
The Constable was informed at Home Creek by a brother to the lost
Mr Armstrong Esq'r
Inspector of Police
Mitchell District
page_0002
Kanaka that when at Enniskillen he the lost Kanaka name Goo-be-yah was very sick and being unable to work was flogged with a whip by Mr James Crombie in order to force him to work. The Constable heard that this punishment was inflicted in presence of all the men that were working on the Enniskillen wash-pool. That in a few days after, Goobeyah, with some other Kanakas, was sent to drive a large number of sheep to Home Creek. That he - Goobeyah - became quite silly, partly through fear, and partly through want of water when crossing the plains - and that not having any boots to wear his legs and feet became so swollen - a dray had to be sent from Home Creek to bring him there. That after arriving there he received no attention except being placed in a "humpy" with other Kanakas which he left in a day or two after without acquainting any one as to where he was going. And that when missed no search was made for him till the following day and then only by the station black boy without any white man to see they did actually search for him. When they failed to find him there was word sent to the N. M. P. Camp but that all trace of him was washed away by the rains the day the Constable and Trooper Joe arrived there. The Constable seen another Kanaka almost blind for want of a hat or some covering for his
page_0003
head to keep away the heat of the sun.
J. J. Williams
Constable Reg'r No 319
Memo
The white man who informed the Constable of the Kanaka having been flogged by Mr. James Crombie refused to give his name to the Constable, but stated that Mr. Chisholm, the overseer at the Washpool was a witness to the whole proceeding
sgd JJ Williams
Constable Reg'r No 319