QSA847325 1879 Letter from Commissioner of Police to Colonial Secretary 2 June, Colonial Secretarys Office In Letters, In letter 89:9177, DR69716

[Illegible Initials] 25/6/79.

(156/1879)

Draft Letter to Commissioner on these minutes [Illegible Initials] 26/6/79.

Commr of Police 30/6/79.

Sir, I have the honor in accordance with your instructions to submit a plan for reducing the present number of Police officers to that fixed upon by the Government viz:— Three Inspectors of the first class, and four of the second class, and eight Sub Inspectors of the first class, and eighteen of the second class.

2 As it will be better to retain the services of the more experienced, I would recommend that, where no cause exists for dispensing with an officers [sic] services beyond that of reduction of numbers, the juniors in each rank in excess of the number fixed upon, instead of retiring should be permitted to retain their present nominal rank but be placed upon the pay list of the rank next below them, this will cause all the retirements - twelve in all - to take place in the junior classes

The Honorable, The Colonial Secretary.

classes. Of this number three are in bad health and unfit for further service. There are a few whose retirement I can recommend for reasons I will submit to you in a separate communication, but I do not see my way to select the remainder. It will not be for the benefit of the service to cut off the requisite number from the bottom of the list, nor can I take all from the Native Police, a selection must be made, but how to make it is very difficult.

[Margin] Send me these reasons [Illegible Initials]

In consequence of the reduction in the number of constables a re-arrangement of several stations will be rendered necessary, and some of the officers in charge will not be any longer required where they now are. 4. I propose breaking up the Native Police stations at Kirknee, Hughenden, Belyando, and Mount Cornish, and from them forming two strong detachments for the outside western districts, this will throw two officers out of employment.

[Margin] Approved [Illegible Initials]

I also propose transferring the headquarters of the Kennedy district from Bowen to Townsille this will render the presence of a Sub Inspector at the latter place unnecessary and I have no other station to which I can send him unless some other officer

[Margin] Approved [Illegible Initials]

officer is struck off merely to make room for him. In addition to the above, if approved, the three junior officers will have to retire.

[Margin] Yes [Illegible Initials]

5 This is the only way I can suggest for an immediate reduction of the present number to the proposed limit, but I would venture to point out that the difference in expenditre would not be very materially increased if the same course which is intended to pursue in the case of the constables were extended to the higher ranks.

[Margin] The numbers must be reduced at once [Illegible Initials]

6 There are several officers of the force who will shortly be entitled to retire under the provisions of the Act under which they serve, and others will, as is usual, leave for various causes - appointments to other branches of the Government Service &c. &c.

[Margin] Any officers who are nearly[?] due for retiring allowance will have every consideration shown them

7 If it be decided that no vacancies be filled until the number is reduced to the limit fixed, I think that all that is desired would be accomplished.

[Margin] No vacancies are to be filled up [Illegible Initials]

I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most Obedient Servant, D. T. Seymour Commissioner of Police.

List of Police Officers

List of Police Officers