QSA6820 1889 Letter from AH Zillman to Under Colonial Secretary 15 March, Correspondence re supply of rations to Aborigines, DR57971

Benches [Stamp] COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE QUEENSLAND 02573 22 MAR 89

Court House PM Herberton 15th Mch 1889

The Under Colonial Secretary Brisbane

Recommends that amount to be expended for rations for blacks be increased to £50

Sir Referring to previous correspondence on the subject of the Blacks and your telegram authorizing an expenditure of £20 in rations for them I have the honor to recommend that the amount be increased to £50. Since my letter of 1st inst was written I have again, at the reques tof Sub Inspector Brooke, visited Atherton. I saw there a camp of about 25 of the scrub Blacks. By means of an intepreter I gave them to understand that if they would cease their depredations upon the crops of the Selectors they would be well treated and receive some food and blankets. They have promised accordingly and told me that it was only when they were very hungry they stole from the whites. I have given them a 50lb bag of flour and some beef and tobacco. Since then another mob of 40 has come in and about 80 more are watiting to come in but Constable Hansen does not consider it advisable to have more in at present as he has not sufficient rations for them all. There are in all, it is estimated, about two hundred blacks in the Barron Scrub willing to come to Atherton as the[?] treatment the first lot received has given them confidence. I think if they were fed for a month or two and a good understanding with them established, they would, like the Russell and Johnstone

[Notes in margin] Previous 89.2464 Police

Sub Inspector Brooks statements are conflicting ask for information relief as before arrangm to go on in mean time B.D.M. 22/3/89

PM Herberton 23.3.89/1069

Johnstone River blacks, become of use to the Selectors many of whom express their willingness to employ them. Since Constable Hansen has been stationed at Atherton the blacks have been less troublesome. This man has been indefatigable in his endeavours to establish communication with them and so far has been very successful. I think a block of land should be reserved for them and then, if as I am told, there are German or Moravian Missionaries willing to take them in hand, ultimate good may be the result. At present all that can be done is to establish friendly relations with them by kind treatment and giving them food & blankets.

I have the honor to be Sir your Obedient Servt.

A.H. Zillman P.M.