Correspondence with the Colonial Secretary's Office

[oval stamp, centred] COMMISSIONER OF POLICE. 01, 531. QUEENSLAND 25. FEB. 88

[top right of page]Cooktown Octr 18th 1887

[left of page] Herman Grell Three Crowns Hotel Rockhampton

Dear Pig

Enclosed is a Cheque in your favor that Mr Heavy [sic] instructed me to Send you as part payment of £5 / pound he owes you

I am your [sic] truly Roll in pickles

[written in red ink] The Commr of Police This is another Specimen of Const Heavey's Character [signed[ Fred. J. Murray Insp 2/c 13. 2. 88

B.C. [21?] 2. 88 ---------------

[top right] Rockhampton 2th [sic] February 88

[oval stamp, top left] INSPECTOR POLICE 48. 88. 10. 2. 88

F.J. Murray. Esqr Inspector of Police Cooktown

Sir The letter you returned me was one I received from Cooktown with a cheque for £1-0-0 from Constable Heavey dated the 18th October 87. my motive for enclosing it to you is to show you the manner Heavey addresses me (viz Dear Pig) I am sorry for troubling you so often with letters but I certainly this feel that Heavey might be a little more polite to one who has befrinded [sic] him

I remain Sir Your obediant [sic] servant [signed] Hermann Grell.

[oval stamp, upper left margin] - COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, - No. 1385 MAR 21 50 / 82 QUEENSLAND

[small oval stamp, beside above] [?] [?] TREASURY 524 ----- 15 . 3 . 82 QUEENSLAND

[oval stamp, below above stamps] H.M. CUSTOMS, BRISBANE 1824. ------ CORRESPONDENCE BRANCH

[written diagonally, left margin] previous 82 . 1304 (Police) ---------------------- Inside --------------

[top of page, centred] Treasury ------

[right of page] Customs Cooktown 2nd March 1882

Sir

I do myself the honor to report for the information of the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer an unseemly feature in the mode of "recruiting" natives to be employed under the "Pearl shell & Beche de mer Fishery Act of 1881," which came under my personal observation on the afternoon of the 1st Instant.

About the end of January last two (2) Cutters, tenders on the "Reindeer" and "Pride of the Logan" fishing smacks, left here for Townsville to obtain "boys" and returned, one on the 28th Ultimo, the other on the 1st Instant, with 18 natives, of both sexes, varying in their ages from 9 to 40 years, and procured, I have reason

The Collector of Customs Brisbane

[written lengthwise, in left margin] Referred to Colonial Secretary [initials] A.A.[?] 18 / 3 / 82

to believe, under very suspicious circumstances on Hinchinbrook and Dunk Islands, and in the vicinity of the Johnstone River.

Having entered into a compact to "recruit" in company, upon arrival here they drafted those "boys" and gins after the manner of sheep, each captain casting lots for nine, (9), mixed sexes, without reference to the inclinations or feelings naturally induced by the filial or friendly instinct of the parties concerned, some of whom, I know, manifested a strong aversion to their separation.

Amongst those who fell to the lot of Captain Webb of the "Pride of the Logan" was a girl of 11 or perhaps 12 years old - a mere Child comparatively - who must have received shameful treatment on the voyage between Hinchinbrook and Cooktown, as one Steve Barry, who belonged to the "Reindeer" tender proceeded on board Webb's vessel, took forcible possession of this Child, claimed her as his own, and actually dragged her by the arm through the main thoroughfare of this town, despite my remonstrances, until he lodged or secreted her in a public house, incidently [sic] for very discreditable purposes.

[written lengthwise, in right margin] If the employment of girls by these fellows were prohibited the worst feature in the [remainder of text illegible]

82 / 1385

[oval stamp, upper left margin] - COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, - No. 1304 MAR 16 1882 QUEENSLAND. 38/1882 [circled]

[round stamp, centred] OFFICE OF COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 883 [signed] I. Cook 13. 3. 82 QUEENSLAND

Away

[written diagonally, left margin] previous 82. 1225 (Benches) -------------------------

[centred] Police

[right of page] Police Office Cooktown March 2nd 1882

Sir

I have the honor to forward a letter received from the Harbour master here, which resulted in my interviewing the man Steven Barry and ascertaining that he had taken forcible possession of this gin, a child, about 10 or Eleven years old, on the plea alone, that he spent his money on her for clothes &c. -

I directed him to return the gin at once to the vessel where he had taken her from ^ to the companionship of her countrymen but he refused to do so. -

I then found the Police Magistrate who accompanied me to the Public House where the gin was kept; and an order was given by him to take her into custody - pending inquiry ---

I saw myself this man Barry taking the gin through the Main St. unwillingly: and [on?]

The Comm. of Police Brisbane }