QSA847137 1884 Letter from Ernest Carr to David Seymour 27 October, In letter 84:7964 Colonial Secretarys Office In Letters DR78041

[circled, top left of page] 72/84

[oval stamp, centred] INSPECTOR OF POLICE 30. 10. 84 [QUEENSLAND?]

[oval stamp, upper right corner] COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 7590 JPDow NOV 13 1884 QUEENSLAND

Police Office Barron River Oct. 27. 84.

Sir

In reference to Mr R. F. Walkers [sic] letter that a small Detachment of Native Police be stationed in the neighbourhood of the Mulgrave River, also touching the murder of John Conway. I have the honor to make the following report. Immediately on hearing that John Conway was missing from a selection close to the Russell River, and was supposed to have been killed by the blacks. I proceeded to that place, and with the assistance of one of the blacks of the Russell River Tribe, found the dead body of Conway, who had been murdered by four blacks, all of whom are well known to the settlers in the neighbourhood. From all appearance the deceased had been killed with stones which were found broken in pieces all round [sic] his body. I had the remains of Conway buried where they were found, up a rocky gorge, about half a mile from his hut. The four blacks who were concerned in this murder, cleared out for the mountains, and my Troopers found it impossible to come up with them, as they (the murderers) were expecting to be followed by the native Police and therefore kept as much

The Commissioner of Police Police Department Brisbane

much as possible in rough country. On making enquiry through the quiet blacks I was informed by them that Conway went with the Tribe into the bush, and when returning to his hut, tried to take one of the Aboriginal women with him. This action on his part caused the owner of the gin to throw a stone at Conway, which hit him on the back of the head, and knocked him down, when the other three blacks helped to stone him to death.

I made every enquiry possible through the blacks with regard to this matter and have not the slightest hesitation in saying that Conway was solely to blame for his untimely end.

With regard to the formation of a Native Police Station on the Mulgrave, I have the honor to state that there are a large number of blacks on the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers, and although they are comparatively quiet now will from time to time be troublesome and I think a small Detachment of Native Police is much required in that neighbourhood.

In conclusion I beg to state that there is a splendid site for a Police Station on the Mulgrave River about fifteen (15) miles from Cairns which was reserved for that purpose at my request by Mr Hartley the Land Commissioner some four years since. There is always plenty of grass and water on this reserve, and a large quantity of the best building timber in the District. ---

I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obedient Servant [signed] Ernest H. Carr Insp. Police 1.C.