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Torres Straits Settlement
No 2 –
Arms and Ammunition
Frequent reports have been forwarded to Government as to the unfitness of the arms on hand & the dangerous unreliableness of the ammunition; and, having acquainted myself with the facts, it becomes my duty to endorse these representations & to urge them more fully upon the consideration of the Government.
I also beg more especially to endorse the statements made by thelate Police Magistrate W. Beddone in his letter in "Minutes of evidence taken before a Board of Enquiry – The Management of the Harbor of Refuge Somerset." viz "The arms belonging to the settlement, with the exception of two (2) Sniders & five (5) breech loading fowling pieces are very primitive; in fact I may say that all arms not suited for waterproof ammunition are useless or very dangerous in this climate".
No percussion cap ammunition can withstand the penetrating dampness of this atmosphere; and I therefore beg earnestly to request that a full complement
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complement of fifteen (15) Snider Carbines & eight (8) Truelocks revolvers (Police size) with full supply of Ammunition, as per annexed returns & requisitions – may be be forwarded with all convenient haste; and that I may be authorized to return the old "Pin-fire" & Primitive Native Police carbines to Head Quarters.
I have the honor to observe that in such a settlement the arms should all be of the best description & the ammunition of the same guages for carbine & pistol respectively.
I have also the honor to apply for ten (10) Navy cutlasses which I consider to be a necessary arm in Barracks & in the cutter & boats when on duty amongst the Aborigines of the main land & Islands within my jurisdiction.
Had not Mr. Jardine had a number of "Spencer Rifles" his own property, with which he armed the Native Police, he could not have held this place; And – now that these arms do not exist – I beg most respectfully to submit that the safety of the settlement & maintenance of order in Torres Straits – the islands of which have since been annexed – are dependent entirely upon the individual courage
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courage of the members of the defence force – &, in the future upon such assistance as the Government may afford for the defence of an important & isolated settlement – as specified under head "No 1. (2) Native Police".
When the accompanying requisition has been complied with, the Torres Straits settlement will be armed & efficient for the performance of its duties.
[signed] G Elphinstone Dalrymple P.M.
Officer In Charge of the Settlement
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Arms on hand
Snider Carbines
Issued to No Total Remarks
The Police Magistrate 1 The only reliable arms in the Settlement
Coxn Water Police 1 2
Westley Richards Pin fire Carbines
Police Magistrates Quarters 1
Good arms but the ammunition unreliable now & therefore condemned The Water Police 4 5
Primitive Native Police Carbines
The Native Police Troopers 5 Utterly useless & unreliable therefore condemned.
In Store 2 7
Terry Carbines
On board Government Cutter 4 4 Very unsuitable arms condemned, breeches jam
Revolvers
The Water Police 6 6 Condemned as useless & dangerous
[signed] G Elphinstone Dalrymple
Officer in Charge of the Settlement
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Ammunition on hand
_______________________________________________________ Description Rounds Remarks No of _______________________________________________________ Snider 1123 In good condition & reliable
Westley Richards 900 Unsuitable for the "pin fire" climate – unreliable
Terry Carbine 400 Do Do
Primiitive N.M. Police Utterly unreliable & of very Carbine 1000 inferior make vide annexed Govnt Recpt to Govnt Store Storekeeper Revolver 1580 Unreliable [underlined]
Military Caps 1000 Not metal lined as is required for bush work for all Tropical Revolver do 1500 Climates. The percussion is exposed – therefore condemned as utterly useless ––– _______________________________________________________
[signed] G Elphinstone Dalrymple Officer in Charge Of the Settlement