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[centred] THOMPSON RIVER, MITCHELL.
[FROM A CORRESPONDENT.]
IN compliance with the promise which I made to you on last leaving town the following items are sent for the delectation of your readers:--
The winter lambing is just finished on Mr. Watt's (Mr. Wm. Landsborough's manager) station, on Raven's, Rule's, Rodney Downs, and the other neighbouring runs. In most cases the result has been very favourable, that of the first-named being no less than 112 per cent, and the rest averaging 101. Not so bad for this far distant country.
We have, most providentially (in more than one respect), had a splendid fall of rain within the past fortnight, and everything looks most cheering and encouraging.
I am very sorry that my first communication should of necessity be written in such great haste as I am compelled now to use; for there is a circumstance now occupying the notice of the whole of us in these parts to which I should much like to pay considerable attention. As it is I can barely allude to the main facts, and allow you to draw your own conclusions. Some six weeks back a German traveller arrived at Rule and Lacy's station seeking employment. He camped about eight miles from the head station, adjoining a lagoon which supplied water to the shepherds hard by and sheep. In the night he went to said lagoon for water (so at least it is supposed), and was murdered by the blacks. These facts were not seen, of course; but the body was found in the water next morning, speared through and through, and a blackfellow's camp was observed close at hand. The neighbnours assembled, and immediately set off to chastise the murderers, and succeeded in doing so to a greater degree than in the present haste I dare mention. Of this, however, under any circumstances, perhaps the least said by me the better. The particular feature in the lamentable circumstance to which I wish your attention drawn is that the poor fellow's body was all this time allowed to remain unburied, and not removed from the water; and this notwithstanding that those were concerned in the matter whose duty it was to attend to his burial, and, indeed, to make all necessary inquiries concerning the poor fellow, and see that justice was done to those whom he leaves behind. The body is still unburied. A flood has occurred since that time, and the corpse disappeared, but it is not buried, and what remains could be easily found. These are disgusting notes, but, Heaven help us, what would the actual details be! Understand, also, that amongst those who
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assembled to chastise the blacks there were more than one person who would have performed the duties which nature itself called for, but who were prevented by the fact of those being present whose duty it was. From papers found in the blacks' camp it appeared that the hapless stranger was possessed of some sheep, and consequently could not get employment readily on any station which would afford to pay him a salary and give him permission to run his sheep. He also had a cheque-book on one of our banks situate at Roma. Four horses are now running on Rule's station which belonged to the deceased, and in every repsect he was well supplied with clothing and general comforts. Verbum sap.
June 4, 1866.