Correspondence with the Colonial Secretary's Office

8 [centred]

red shirt, which was identified by M^r Bennett, lay on the ground and two bags, completely filled with gowns, caps, vests, trousers, and other articles belonging to Burns and his wife, were beside it. In one bag we found some money, and a sheep muster of Burns'. I heard several shots in the direction in which "Dicky" had run, and the troopers returning said they had found it impossible to take him, and that he was shot. After placing the stolen articles on a pack horse, I proceeded to the spot where "Dicky" had fallen, but found nothing but a pool of blood, and the traces of his having been lying there. The policemen, on examining

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[in right margin, beside line 11] £1 " 10 " 0

but, through weakness, fell from my horse about three miles from the Barracks which I only reached on the morning of the 20^th. I trust you are satisfied that I did all that lay in my power to overtake the murderers. I attribute our ill success to Gillies having lost his way on the 14^th not arriving and at the Barracks until night, and to the almost impassable nature of the country in which the Blacks dispersed -

Enclosed are the depositions of M^r Bennett and William Gillies.

I have the Honor to be Sir, Your most Obedient Servant

Francis Nicoll L^t [Lieutenant] Native Police

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[written in right margin, beside line 10] See Deposition of Gillies