QSA846835 1868 Letter from Hervey Fitzgerald to Colonial Secretary 17 April, 68:1271, Colonial Secretarys Office In letters Part 1 DR60929

[written at top] T.H. Fitzgerald Memorial from Settlers Mackay for Police protection [end]

Rockhampton

April 17th 1868

The Hon. Colonial Secretary Brisbane

Sir

I have the honor to enclose a true copy of an official memorial to you from the Settlers at Mackay and in its neighbourhood praying for increased protection from the blacks, which from the audacity of the latter on many late occasions appears to be more than ever required in the Southern part of the Kennedy District especially near the Sea coast.

The original memorial was unfortunately after having been signed by a larger number than appears on the copy so damaged on its return from the country whilst in charge of a party who was overcome by liquor on the road, that it was unfit to send, many of the names being illegible. A copy bearing the signatures that were attached before leaving Mackay has owing to the danger of delay in attempting to replace the original signatures been substituted for the original and I hope with the foregoing explanation will be accepted by you. Hoping

[written over top left corner of letter] Regret that for want of money the Colonial Secretary is utterly unable to comply with request of this description which are coming in daily from all directions [initialled] AMC

Hoping that you will give the prayer of your memorialists with which I entirely agree your favorable consideration

I have the honor to remain

Sir

Your most obedt Servt

[signed] T Henry Fitzgerald

Memorial

Mackay 18th March 1868

To the Honorable

the Colonial Secretary

Brisbane

We the undersigned squatters and others resident in the Northern Districts beg most respectfully to solicit the establishment of a Native Police Station at or near the Telegraph Station Bloomsbury.

We are urged to request this additional protection in consequence of the numbers and increasing audacity of the Blacks who in the absence of an adequate Police Force destroy Cattle and Sheep in great numbers.

While fully recognising the merits of the Officers appointed by the Government already, we respectfully submit that the force at their disposal is utterly unable to Patrol the immense area of Country committed to their charge and too severely tasked to prevent or punish the perpetrators of outrage. This will be evident to the Honorable the Colonial Secretary upon a review of the extensive District allotted to each Officer.

Additional protection is more particularly required in the vicinity of Bloomsbury both from the fact that the Officer at Port Cooper

is fully occupied with the interior and from the fact that the sea coast Tribes being murderous and mischievous, provided with secure refuge in impenetrable scrubs and rendered unusually bold by their present immunity from Punishment.

We trust therefore looking at the hazards of Pioneers squatting, its Heavy charges still further increased by exposure to Aboriginal attacks, and our claims to adequate protection of life and property, that the Government will be pleased to accede to the prayer of this memorial by Stationing an Officer and such number of Native Troopers as may be deemed fitting, at or near Bloomsbury.

We have the Honor to be

Sir

Your most Obedient Servants

Signed R.H. Graham St Helens J.E. Davidson J.P. James Martin Hamilton P. McHenry Mackay Sir John Macartney Bart. J.P. F.H. Welan Mackay Rawson B.W. Shamrock Vale W. Landells Mackay N.G. Macartney Bloomsbury David Tally Grosvenor [?] A Shiels Mackay R.K. Wilson Mackay Robert Martin Hamilton H. Page Mackay J C Binney Bloomsbury B. Clark Mackay D.H. Dalrymple Mackay John Cook Balnagowen J Holmes Pleystowe James McBryde Mackay Arthur Kemmis Mackay Lawson & Claval Oxford Downs John T. Baker J.P. T Henry Fitzgerald J.P. Mackay Louis G. Ross Balnagowen N.T. Kennedy J.P.