1

[oval stamp]
Commissioner of Police
Queensland
884
20 . 3 . 77
( 4: 77)

[upper right corner]
Police Camp Lower Herbert
22^nd February 1877

Sir

I have the honor to report
in explanation of the charges made
against me by Michael Bird Hall.

First that I was an agent and
overseer for Absentees. This charge I
most distinctly deny and it was
groundless.

Secondly that I take in horses
to train. I have never trained a
horse for myself or any one else
since I have been stationed in this
district. I did run a horse named
"Cossack" at the Herbert Races in June
last; the horse was lent to me for the
races and I paid a man to feed him.
he was not stabled and merely got his
corn three times a day and was
running out in the paddock the
whole time. I paid the man to feed
and exercise him. This charge I deny
as untrue.

Thirdly that I break in horses to the
detriment of those that follow that
calling in the District: I never broke
in a horse for anyone except the
unbroken Troop-horses sent to me by
Superintendent Browne for the
Queensland Government and my own
private Hacks and to my knowledge
there has not been a horsebreaker
making

[Marginalia]
The Commissioner of Police
Brisbane