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IN-LETTER 6935/1898 Aboriginal Protector Cooktown

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man with a very large abscess along the
outer side of the thigh, the result of an old
spear-wound, which I offered to open for him,
but he refused to let me.

Re. Permits. I have received applications from
those two miners, Mr Adam and Grant, whom
I spoke to you about in my letter of 15th. February:
I propose refusing them. You will
no doubt understand how I value the as-
sistance of the Police in all matters such
as these. Of course there will always be some
individuals trying to find fault with, and
grumbling, at the operation of the Act, but
for the most part, the more enlightened and
more trustworthy of the local people are gladly
availing themselves of it: thus, for instance,
Mr. James Gibson of King's Plains writes

" I appreciate the usefulness of some
" permit-system under Government Control:
" as I apprehend, besides protecting the
" aborigines, it will also protect white
" employers from the interference, by other
" people, with their black servants."

Re Aboriginal Hospital: The sick gin who ran
away has been brought back, and it has been
explained to her that as soon as she gets quite
well, she will be allowed to go back to Highbury,
her native home. I am afraid that one
of these women—the one who has been in the Cooktown
Hospital since last October—is dying: she is
unable to take her food, and what with all the
lower part of her trunk rotted away—her death
will come as a merciful blessing.

I have the honor to be, Sir
your obedinet Servant
Walter E. Roth.