Correspondence with the Colonial Secretary's Office

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[oval stamp, very faint] COLONIAL [GOVERNMENT?] QUEENSLAND

M^r Chester 2499: 26.Oct.71. Narration [if to train?], N.E. Channel

Notwithstanding that a considerable portion of our commerce with India and China passes annually through Torres Strait, it has rarely attracted public attention since the Surveys of Capts. [Captains] Blackwood and Stanley in 1843-46, and except for a passing paragraph in an Eastern newspaper recording some wreck or masSacre [massacre], which tended to keep up the high rate, 12^1/2 per cent:, charged by Insurance Companies it was, perhaps, seldom thought of except by those whose business it was to encounter its risks and dangers - The foundation of the Settlement at Port Albany in 1864 seventeen years after it had been strongly urged upon the home Government was the result of newly awakened public interest. It was fully anticipated that besides affording a harbor of refuge to vessels wrecked in those waters, it would act as a check upon the treacherous and bloodthirsty natives of the neighbouring islands, and prevent in future such masSacres [massacres] as are recorded in the book of sailing directions for Torres Strait and the Coral Sea. So far from this having been the case, so late as the beginning of 1869 a vessel was taken within thirty miles of Somerset, and her crew cruelly murdered by natives who for the preceeding [preceding] five years had constantly maintained friendly intercourse with Europeans.

During all this time the people at the Settlement were without the means of ascertaining what was going on in their immediate vicinity, and where, three months afterwards the news reached Somerset there was not a boat fit to venture outside Albany.

More recently, news of the wreck of the Schooner "Honolulu" in the N. E. channel reached Somerset from Batavia via Sydney three months after it occurred, and, but for an accident, - the discovery of the valua

[Marginalia] [signature in left margin] HMC

[oval stamp, upper left corner] COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE. No. 2756 JUN 2 1883 QUEENSLAND

[centred] [signed] Wm Summers

In re Murder of Dan Wea & wife, also ^ one of Crew of Cutter by Mainland Aborigl "Cookie" }

[centred] 2 should be ready to return when a Mainland Native named "Cookie" (who is well known in the Straits) came on board and remained, on this night. the boat anchored at a small uninhabited Island off the Mainland and Dan Wea with his wife slept ashore in a hut.

About daylight this Cookie crept into the hut, and taking the rifle from the sleeping man's side, deliberately shot Dan and his wife, Killing both. Cookie then made off, and the Crew brought the boat back to the Station, leaving all the "returned boys" at their homes.

I immediately reported the matter to Mr Duff the Officer in Charge during Mr Chester's Absence, but was told that he could take no action.

After this affair; I did not trouble about getting the natives back; until they sent repeated messages to me through the Manager of this Company's other station "Roko" (situated within half a mile of the Mainland) requesting me to send a boat for them, as very many of them were desirous to return.

It was not until receiving these messages, I decided to send for them, and accordingly on 20th inst. I despatched a boat in Charge of two trustworthy men "Tom [Rolinerah?] and Jimmie Mawa" with a crew of 4 Mainland boys to bring back as many as wished to return to work.

On the 23rd inst., the boat with 16 of the boys

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[oval stamp, upper left corner] COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE. No. 2756 JUN 2 1883 QUEENSLAND

[centred] [signed] WM Summers

In re Murder of Dan Wea & wife, also ^ one of Crew of Cutter by Mainland Aborigl. "Cookie" }

[centred] 3 the boys who had decided to come back; anchored off a Camp on the Mainland, and after sundown "Jimmie Mawa" and six of the native boys went ashore to witness an Aboriginal dance going on in the Camp. After they had watched the proceedings about half an hour; the man "Cookie" who previously shot Dan Wea & wife, ran up behind Jimmie Mawa and speared him in the back; Jimmie jumped up grasped his rifle, and as he turned towards his assailant, Cookie again speared him in the stomach; Jimmie then with assistance of two boys ran to the beach, swam on board the boat.

The spears were extracted, and boat proceeded with all speed back to the station.

I immediately reported the circumstances to Mr Chester; who told me the man had no business on the Mainland, but if he died he would hold an inquest, beyond that he could take no action in the matter.

The man expired on night of the 25th inst. about 54 hours after the occurrence, in great agony; and I today 26th inst., reported his death to Mr Chester, again requesting that steps should be taken to arrest the murderer, offering at the same time, any assistance that he might require. Capt. Tucker who was with me, also offered Mr Chester the services of 30 or 40 men if necessary to assist the Police

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[oval stamp, upper left corner] COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE. No. 2756 JUN 2 1883 QUEENSLAND

[centred] [signed] Wm Summers

In re Murder of Dan Wea & wife, also, ^ one of Crew of Cutter by Mainland Aborigl. "Cookie" }

[centred] 4 the Police in effecting his Capture. Mr Chester replied, beyond reporting it south he would take no action in the matter.

I would respectfully point out to you, that should the perpetrators of these dastardly murders, be allowed to escape imprisonment, a feeling will assuredly be engendered amongst the natives, which will embolden them to such an extent; that they will commit further outrages and render it highly unsafe for any man to set foot on the Mainland upon any pretext whatever.

My Company employs 34 boats, there also is a large number belonging to other stations engaged in the shelling in the Straits, these are frequently fishing close to the Mainland, and the Crews often have occasion to land for wood & water. In heavy weather during the norwest season, large numbers of the boats are forced to seek shelter under the Mainland, then again there is always a probability of a boat being blown ashore and wrecked, in such case and under existing circumstances; the crews would have but a very poor Chance of escaping with their lives, in the event of their falling into the hands of the natives.

Besides this, the Company's other Station "Roko" is separated from the Mainland by only

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