Correspondence with the Colonial Secretary's Office

Michael Bird Hall

To they [sic] Honourable the Colonial Secretary

Brisbane

Further complaints ag^st Sub Insp Johnson

[stamp]COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE QUEENSLAND 3331 DEC 27 1876

{Previous 3209 12 Dec 76}

Sir

A few weeks ago I forwarded a letter to the week newspaper for publication complaining of the conduct of Sub Inspector Johnson of the Native Police stationed in this district they [sic] Editor in answer stated the case was so gross [he?] at present refrained from publishing. I immediately Telegraphed to request the letter to be placed in your hands for enquiry, not hearing if an enquiry would take place I now must respectfully Sir beg leave to call your attention to the undermentioned complaints for if Sir a Sub Inspector of Police is allowed to enter into [competition?] with working men and Tradesmen parties following that calling will have to leave they [sic] district.

M^r Johnstone is agent for absentes from the Colonies and employs Kanakas upon the estate previous to his becoming Agent, and overseer. a white man was employed but M^r Johnstone undertaking it for less they [sic] white man was discharged -

I now make affidavit before a Justice of the Peace that the above complaints are true

I most respectfully pray that you will take this case into your consideration and should you order an enquiry that the commission should be conducted by a disinterested person, M^r Sheridan Police Magistrate being an interested party

I have the honor to be Sir Your Obedient Servant Michael Bird Hall

Lower Herbert December 13^th 1876

Sworn before me this Dec^r 13 1876 that the above statements are correct [D Cudmore PM]

[oval stamp] Commissioner of Police Queensland 884 20 . 3 . 77 ( 4: 77)

[upper right corner] Police Camp Lower Herbert 22^nd February 1877

Sir

I have the honor to report in explanation of the charges made against me by Michael Bird Hall.

First that I was an agent and overseer for Absentees. This charge I most distinctly deny and it was groundless.

Secondly that I take in horses to train. I have never trained a horse for myself or any one else since I have been stationed in this district. I did run a horse named "Cossack" at the Herbert Races in June last; the horse was lent to me for the races and I paid a man to feed him. he was not stabled and merely got his corn three times a day and was running out in the paddock the whole time. I paid the man to feed and exercise him. This charge I deny as untrue.

Thirdly that I break in horses to the detriment of those that follow that calling in the District: I never broke in a horse for anyone except the unbroken Troop-horses sent to me by Superintendent Browne for the Queensland Government and my own private Hacks and to my knowledge there has not been a horsebreaker making

[Marginalia] The Commissioner of Police Brisbane