QSA565014 1911 Report on Turn Off Lagoon Station 19 July, Edward PC Smith Police Staff file

[centred] 874

[rectangular stamp, centred] COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 16811 31 JUL. 1911 QUEENSLAND

[torn number, top right, written in blue pencil] [224? F1?]

[right of page] Normanton District Inspectors [sic] Office 19th July 1911

Sir,

I have the honour to report with reference to my visit to Turn Off Lagoons Station. [in pencil] X " 1/C Constable E.P. Smith NO 251 in charge of that Station is one of the Chief Stock Owners in that vicinity, but very wisely the Stock is in his wife's name. The Police Station there resembles a cattle Station in appearance, from the number of Cattle yards that are built about the place. From reliable information I learn that the Constable devotes nearly all his time to PURCHASING & DEALING in cattle. From the large amount of Stock that the Constable has in the vicinity of the Police Station, there is insufficient Grass for the Police Horses, and in consequence thereof the Police Horses have to be pastured about 50 or 60 miles away.

Taking into consideration the above circumstances and also the fact that the Constable has done little or no Police Duty during the time he has been Stationed there I would strongly recommend that he be trans[in pencil, left margin]] X ferred.[in pencil] X I cannot recommend his transfer to any Station in this District as he unsuited [sic] for any of them.

I would recommend that Constable Goodrich of this Station be transferred to Turn Off Lagoons Station, and a single Constable be sent to this Station to fill his vacancy.

Constable Goodrich is a good horseman and should prove a good man at Turn Off Lagoons Station, as I am confident that there is a fair

[in left margin, written diagonally in blue pencil] B/[?] 893[5?1?]

[written in red ink, in left margin] 1. Before anything is done towards these proposed transfers a Copy of this report so far as it concerns Constable Smith should be transmitted to him for his explanation. 2. Forward a Copy of the report to Inspector Quilter who will explain why this state of affairs was allowed to exist, during his time as Inspr of the district [initials] 1/8/11

[written diagonally, left margin] Accdly [faint stamp] AUG [24?], 1911

fair amount of cattle thieving going on in that locality.

[in pencil] X The Constable in charge of that Station at present has been patrolling a good deal, but it seems to me that they were useless trips. [in pencil] X

[in pencil] X I am clearly of the opinion that 1/C Consta[b]le] Smith did not devote very much of his attention to Police Duties and in the interest of the Department it is advisable to have him transferred from the District. [in pencil] X

I would like to add that the Constable has been Stationed in this District for a number of Years and has been in Charge of Turn Off Lagoons Station for about 7 years.

The probable cost of the above transfer would amount to anout [sic] £12 please see the attached list.

I have the honour to be Sir, Your most Obedient Servant [signed] EJSweetman INSPECTOR

The Commissioner Of Police BRISBANE