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Brisbane
30 April 1874
Sir
I have the honor to attach relative to the question of police protection at Gilberton that a fiar share of police protection with ordinary and Native troopers has always been afforded. Up to September 1873 a detachment of Native Police was stationed at Oak Park about twenty five miles from Gilberton, and three
The Hon
The Colonial Secretary
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three ordinary constables and one native tracker in the township.
In seventy two some Chinamen were murdered by the blacks at the Percy and there have been two other murders reported since previous to the revival of the Native Police from Oakpark to Western Creek - on the road between Gilberton and Georgetown.
In a wild unsettled Country it would not be possible for the detachments of police to protect from the blacks solitary travellers or persons out
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prospecting who do not take ordinary precaution and who frequently keep as a close secret the direction they intend taking.
At the time that the population left the Gilberton the last attack by the blacks on the Chinamen had not taken place. Nor did the population leave on account of the withdrawal of the Police. The fact is quite the reverse. The police were removed from Gilberton in consequence of the departure of the inhabitants.
In August 1873 the travelling Superintendent (Mr. Browne) was at Gilberton and reported to me as follows.
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"there is a very small population here (only one public house) and I consider one constable would be quite sufficient" and he also telegraphed me from Georgetown "Gilberton is all but deserted, Police are not required there. Three hundred people have left here for the Palmer."
You will see by this that the sudden desertion of the Gilbert field was entirely owing to the Palmer rush and not to the absence of Police and a further proof that the inhabitants could have safely remained if they chose is afforded by the fact of Mr Cameron and the two or three others who
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remained on the field never having been molested by the blacks since.
At the time that Mr. Bernerker tried to get drays at Georgetown. The carriers there were heading for the Palmer at the price of £51 pr ton cash.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant
[signed] D.T. Seymour
C.P.