Correspondence with the Colonial Secretary's Office

Henry McCosker sworn saith I am a Sergt of Police on duty in Blackall where I have been about a fortnight. Since my arrival here various complaints have been made about Aboriginals being supplied with grog by publicans.

In consequence of which complaints the Bench at Annual Meeting on 17th April last, caused one publican to be cautioned on subject.

The Bench then expressed a strong opinion on the matter, in consequence of which I was instructed to take steps in the matter and have it stopped. On 20th inst. I instructed Constable Goodacre to endeavour to make a case of supplying grog to Aboriginals.

There was nothing said to Goodacre about going particularly to Mr Nock's hotel, - he was to use his own discretion and get the case by fair means.

[left margin] X S. by defdt I call the means employed, fair means. (sigd) Henry McCosker. Surat sigd R. A. Ranking P.M. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [centred] Defence

The Defendant declines to give evidence but calls: Frank Harvey sworn saith I am in Defdt's employ. I know of my own knowledge that defendant has upon more than one occasion given strict orders not to supply liquor to Aboriginals. I have known Defendant on several occasions to refuse to supply Aboriginals.

I look at witness Milo, - I could mistake him for a South Sea Islander if dressed up in gaudy dress. sigd Frank Harvey Surat sgd R. A. Ranking P.M. 4

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[top left] Queensland Blackall To Wit }

Be it remembered that on the twenty sixth day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty three at Blackall in the Colony of Queensland Edward Nock of Blackall in the said Colony licensed publican is convicted before the undersigned one of Her Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the said Colony and Police Magistrate at Blackall sitting alone in Petty Sessions for that he the said Edward Nock being the licensee of the Bushmans Arms Hotel, situated at Blackall in the Police District of Blackall, and Colony of Queensland did on the twentieth day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-three at Blackall aforesaid unlawfully supply to one "Milo" an Aboriginal native of Queensland certain spirituous liquor to wit Rum contrary to the provisions of section fifty-one of the Act of the Governor and Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly of the Colony of Queensland made and passed in the twenty-seventh year of the reign of Her present Majesty Queen Victoria numbered sixteen and intituled "The Publicans Act of 1863"; and I adjudge the said Edward Nock for his said offence to forfeit and pay the sum of Four Pounds fourteen Shillings and Sixpence Sterling to be paid and applied according to law, and also to pay to the Police the Sum of five Shillings and Sixpence for Costs in this behalf; and if the Said Several Sums be not paid within seven days I order that the same be levied by distress and sale of the Goods and Chattels of the said Edward Nock.

Given under my hand and seal the day and year first above-mentioned at Blackall in the Colony aforesaid.

(sigd) R. A. Ranking P.M. Sitting alone in Petty Sessions

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