QSA847428 1892 Letter from PM Maytown to Under Colonial Secretary 6 May, In letter 92:5981 Colonial Secretarys Office In Letters DR51083

[written at top] Benches

Does not think charge made by Chinamen for taking a sick man to Hosp'l excessive

[oval stamp] COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, QUEENSLAND 05981/ 18 MAY 92

Maytown

6 . 5 . 92

The Assistant Under Colonial Secretary

Brisbane

Sir

Replying to your memo: of the 11th ultimo, I have the honour to state that I do not think the charge excessive. The Chinamen were engaged to convey Barton to Hospital, a distance of 22 miles over rough country. The journey occupied three days, and it was with difficulty that the police could induce any person to undertake the business. There are no light vehicles in the district, the roads not being adapted for wheel traffic, so that the only means of carriage was that adopted. I am afraid that it would be difficult to obtain volunteers to go to the assistance of a stranger and *** like Barton. The onus of providing relief would promptly be thrown on the police or other Government Officials

I have the honour to be

Sir

Your obedient Servant

[signed] A. R. MacDonald

P.M.

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[diagonal stamp] PREVIOUS

[in red ink] 92. 4161

[stamp] SERIAL No....[in red ink] 3

[written under that] Mr Kob To pay 19. 5. 92