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[oval stamp, upper left corner]
COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE
No. 2756
JUN 2
1883
QUEENSLAND

[centred]
[signed] Wm Summers
In re Murder of Dan Wea & wife, also ^ one of Crew of Cutter by Mainland
Aborigl "Cookie" }

[written diagonally, in pencil]
previous
[?] 1705([?] Orders)
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B/C Secy Offices
17. 4. 83
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[written diagonally, in ink]
William Summers
5 - 6 - 83 100/

[right of page]
Queensland Pearl Shelling Compy Limited
Wai Weer Station Torres Straits
12 May 1883

[left of page]
The Honorable,
The Colonial Secretary,
Brisbane.

Sir,

I regret to have to bring under your notice; a matter
deeply affecting the interests of the Company I represent,
and also that of Pearl shellers and Beche de Mer Fishers in
general, in Torres Straits; and trust that you may see fit
to instruct what prompt measures be taken to prevent
a recurrence of such scenes.

We have been in the habit, for many years of
employing upon our Station and in our Swimming
Boats, considerable numbers of Mainland Natives;
these men at the expiration of their yearly term of
service, are sent back to their homes for a spell, and
such as are desirous of doing so, return after their
spell, to work.

About the middle of March last, I sent one of our
boats in charge of a South Sea trader, "named Dan Wea", to
the Mainland with a party of 40 of these "Time Expired
men" to have their usual spell. Dan Wea had with
him his wife a native woman who usually travelled
with him.

On the 23rd March having landed the boys at their
homes, Dan was cruising about until they should be

83 / 2756