ITM846732 Colonial Secretary's Inwards Correspondence - 1860, No. 151 - 499

and the other Customs Stations to the northward and thus making myself personally acquainted with their requirements until then I shall defer to recommend the appointment of a Landing [... Tracker?] for Rockhampton but shall leave the Sub Collector to carry on his duties with the assistance I have authorized him to procure.

I regret that Mr Brown does not give some definite information as to the Customs Collections at Gladstone and that he neglects to mention the amount of his own [words crossed out] wk to the date of his letter

You will observe Mr Brown's letter is dated 24 Decbr last previously to which I addressed two letters to him to [written?] of which have I yet had a reply.

In managing the Customs arrangements for this Colony I am placed in a most embarrassed position

from the difficulty of communi -cating with the OutPorts which no doubt also occasions create inconveneience to the public I will therefore venture to entreat for the con: :sideration of the Government, if the prospect of a steamer running to the Ports to the North and be not immedicate, whether it would not be desirable that the "Spitfire"or some other [such?...] sailing vessel be employed as a Dispatch Boat between Brisbane & the OutPorts

Even that slow mode of communicating might prevent much of the confusion and irregularity which results from the present almost complete isolation of the latter places with reference to Brisbane

I have the honor to be Sir Your most obed Servant William Thornton Collector of Customs

[following comment post written in different colour] Copy from Govt Resident Port Curtis to Collector of Customs

{60/166}

Gladstone January 14th 1860 Sir I received by the last overland mail a request from His Excellency the Governor of Queensland desiring that I would take measures for the prevention of Smuggling in the Harbour of Port Curtis. And I immediately adopted the steps which the enclosed correspondence will acquaint you with. -

2 Mr Brown the Officer of Customs Stationed at Rockhampton had previously come down to Port Curtis on the first arrival of the Eagle from Sydney after the proclamation of Separation, & had recovered some amount of duty payable upon articles imported by that opoprtunity - He had also give notice to importers as to the necessity of passing entries at the Customs.

3. But to persons importing goods here it would be a great inconvenience to have to travel some twenty or eighty miles for the above purpose, and the Masters of Vessels also were in the dilemma, so they stated to me, of having their cargoes refused [illeg signature]

The Collector of Customs Customs House Brisbane

by the consignees if they carried goods on to Rockhampton, or of incuring penalties if they broke bulk in Port Curtis.

4 Under these circumstances & in the emergency of the moment, I have thought it better to appoint temporarily a Reciever until you could be communicated with and I trust you will be good enough to recommend the Sanction of the Government being given to this measure until you mature your plans for the efficiency of the Customs Departments in these Harbours.

I have the honor to be Sir Your obedt. Servant (Signed) M. C. OConnell Govt Resident

[the following comment is post written in a different colour] Copy From the Resident Port Curtis to the Principl officer of Customs at Rockhampton

Government Residents Office Gladstone January 4th 1860

{60/166} Sir I last evening received a request from His Excellency the Governor of Queensland conveyed through his Private Secretary that I would take measures for the prevention of Smuggling in the Harbour of Port Curtis and for this purpose I should put myself in communication with Mr Thornton at Brisbane and with yourself.

2. As some time must elapse ere I can communicate with the former Gentleman I now beg to apprise you of the measures I have adopted to supply temporarily the absence of a duly appointed officer of the Customs in this Harbour and to invite your co-operation.

3. I have appointed Mr S B Young C.P.S to Act temporarily as receiver of Custom dues on dutiable articles landed in Port Curtis, and have requested him him to communicate with you in reference to any details of duty you may be able to furnish him with.

G Brown Esq Customs Department Rockhampton