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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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the Police
in effecting his Capture. Mr Chester replied, beyond
reporting it south he would take no action in the
matter.

I would respectfully point out to you, that
should the perpetrators of these dastardly murders,
be allowed to escape imprisonment, a feeling
will assuredly be engendered amongst the
natives, which will embolden them to such an
extent; that they will commit further outrages
and render it highly unsafe for any man to
set foot on the Mainland upon any pretext
whatever.

My Company employs 34 boats, there also
is a large number belonging to other stations
engaged in the shelling in the Straits, these are
frequently fishing close to the Mainland, and
the Crews often have occasion to land for
wood & water. In heavy weather during the
norwest season, large numbers of the boats
are forced to seek shelter under the Mainland,
then again there is always a probability of a boat being
blown ashore and wrecked, in such case and
under existing circumstances; the crews would
have but a very poor Chance of escaping
with their lives, in the event of their falling
into the hands of the natives.

Besides this, the Company's other Station
"Roko" is separated from the Mainland by only

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