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COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE.
No. 2756
JUN 2
1883
QUEENSLAND

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[signed] Wm Summers

In re Murder of Dan Wea & wife, also ^ one of Crew of Cutter by Mainland
Aborigl "Cookie" }

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should be
ready to return when a Mainland Native named "Cookie"
(who is well known in the Straits) came on board and
remained, on this night. the boat anchored at a
small uninhabited Island off the Mainland and
Dan Wea with his wife slept ashore in a hut.

About daylight this Cookie crept into the
hut, and taking the rifle from the sleeping
man's side, deliberately shot Dan and his wife,
Killing both. Cookie then made off, and the Crew
brought the boat back to the Station, leaving all
the "returned boys" at their homes.

I immediately reported the matter to Mr Duff
the Officer in Charge during Mr Chester's Absence,
but was told that he could take no action.

After this affair; I did not trouble about
getting the natives back; until they sent repeated
messages to me through the Manager of this
Company's other station "Roko" (situated within
half a mile of the Mainland) requesting me
to send a boat for them, as very many of
them were desirous to return.

It was not until receiving these messages,
I decided to send for them, and accordingly
on 20th inst. I despatched a boat in Charge of
two trustworthy men "Tom [Rolinerah?] and Jimmie
Mawa" with a crew of 4 Mainland boys
to bring back as many as wished to return
to work.

On the 23rd inst., the boat with 16 of the boys

83 / 2756