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[in top left embossed stamp] Colonial Secretary's Office Queensland 858 / 6. Mch. 79
[written at top] Bishop Hale re O'Connor & blacks
Bishopsbourne
Brisbane
March 4/79
Sir
I have the honor to call your attention to the following paragraph which appeared in the "Courier" newspaper on Saturday last the 1st inst.
[newspaper clipping] On Thursday, the 14th instant, Sub-Inspector O'Connor with six troopers crossed the harbor in a boat at night, and by moonlight picked up the tracks of the blacks. The latter, however, discerned the approach of the troopers, and retreated across the range to the ocean beach. The Inspector then divided his forces, and with one party made a detour in the direction of Cape Bedford, and by Sunday morning had hemmed the blacks within a narrow gorge, of which both outlets were secured by the troopers. There were twenty-eight men and thirteen gins thus enclosed, of whom none of the former escaped. Twenty-four were shot down on the beach, and four swam out to sea. The inspector and his men then sat down on the beach, and waited for the swimmers to return, but without success, and as after several hours they were lost sight of, it is conjectured that they were drowned. One woman also swam out from the land, and after remaining four hours in the water, was captured by a trooper, who went in after her. The men hunted up the remainder of the gins, and having found a meerschaum pipe and tomahawk in their possession belonging to Mr. Hartley, the Inspector was satisfied he had not killed innocent people. This was explained to the lubras, and O'Connor returned to the north shore on Monday afternoon, and lighted a large fire as a signal of success, a boat was sent across the harbor to bring him back to Cooktown. [end]
I presume that the Sub Inspector of Police mentioned in this narrative has sent in an official report of the transaction described.
May I ask whether that official report gives an account of the transaction differing materially from the newspaper account, or whether the newspaper account may be accepted as generally correct?
[written in left margin] The Colonial Secretary is not in the habit of taking any notice of absurd paragraphs &c in newspapers and declines being catechised on them [initialled] *** 17/3/79
[written in lower left margin] RR.M.B. Hale D.D. 6/3/79 466
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I have the honor to call your attention also to the following paragraph, which appeared in the "Courier" of Monday 3 inst.
[newspaper clipping] At the request, we presume of the Governments of New South Wales and Victoria, the hon. the Colonial Secretary has consented to afford assistance from our native police force in endeavoring to capture the Kelly gang of outlaws. By the Alexandra, which left for Sydney on Friday last, there were despatched for this duty Sub-Inspector Connor, native police constable King of Maryborough, and some native trackers accustomed for years to [?work] with Sub-Inspector Connor. We believe the principals in this duty were selected by the Commissioner, and when the party once gets on the trail of the murderers they will not be shaken off easily. [end]
May I ask whether the Sub-Inspector of Police spoken of in this paragraph is the same one spoken of in the other paragraph?
I have the honor
Sir,
to be Y. obed. Servt.
[signed] Matthew B. Hale Bishop
Chairman of the Commission appointed to inquire into and investigate the conditions of the Aboriginal inhabitants of this Colony.
To the Honble
The Colonial Secretary
Brisbane