QSA846933 1874 Letter from Ralph Ramsay to Colonial Secretary 23 February, In letter 74:813, Colonial Secretarys Office In Letters Part 3 DR63869

AM 8/3 24 Apr. 74

[overwritten top & at left] Ralph Ramsay further Re Police protection

79/5 previous 1959 12 Nov. 73 [end]

Gilberton Northern Queensland 23rd Feby. 1874.

To the Honorable A.H. Palmer Colonial Secretary

Sir

Since I last deemed it necessary to Communicate with you the chief part of the Population of the Gilbert District have abandoned the Place, fearing further intrusions from the Blacks, there is still however a small Population, and a Crushing Mill at Mount Hagan, 15 miles distant and a constant traffic by waggon & foot passengers &c Continues between this District and the Ethridge Gold Field.

The risque [sic] of annoyance & danger from the Blacks, is experienced upon the Road here pointed out, particularly in the Centre portion where it crosses the Percy & Robinson Rivers, as it is here where the Blacks are generally harboured upon the Ranges of Conglomerate. My object at present is to remind you that although this dangerous Locality was clearly indicated in my former Communication I am not aware that the officer in charge of the black Troopers at the nearest Police [last 2 lines marked with 2 vertical lines at left]

camp at Miltons station - about 35 miles distant, makes any effort to inspect the neighbourhood by periodical visits, but seems to confine his duties to the Police Camp almost entirely.

Very shortly after the last communication to you, from the People of this District, Mr. Finch, and his Troopers, (who is in charge of the Police Camp at Craigie, about 160 miles distant, visited this Place, supposed[?] at your instance [sic], and did very prompt and efficient service in routing a mob of Blacks, who had encamped themselves in the vicinity for the purpose of plunder - Not being fully informed as to the boundaries of the various Police Stations, I naturally conclude that they extend to a specified Radius from each Camp, as a Centre, and that the Force quartered at Milton's Station, being the nearest, should be available for the Region of the Gilbert and adjacent lines of Road &c &c instead of that at Craigie 160 miles off

I should not have troubled you, in the present instance,

but the necessity of circumstances has compelled me to draw your attention again to this important matter, in the hope that enquiry may be instituted in the proper Quarter, and thanking you for your prompt attention to my last communication -

I am Sir for self & Neighbours most respectfully your obt. svt. [signed] Ralph Ramsay

[written diagonally across the bottom] R. Ramsay Esq. 2 May 74 M 303

There are no Native Police at Miltons station. Nor were there any when Mr Finch visited the district f[unreadable] There is a Native Police camp on the road between Gilberton & Georgetown [initialled] DTS

The Honl AH Palmer [crossed out] Colonial Secretary Brisbane

Opened by AH Palmer