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Benches [Stamp on page: COLONIAL SECRETARY'S OFFICE, QUEENSLAND 8338 6. NOV 85] Queensland
Government Residency Thursday Island Torres Straits 27th Mch 1885
In re returning "Binji" natives to their homes
Sir
In reference to the "Binji" natives who, as advised in my letter of the 22nd Instant were intercepted at the Shipping office and returned by my instructions to the mainland I have the honor to report that Water Police Constable Phillpott and William Millar, whom I sent to the Jardine and Batavia Rivers in the exer-tion of their duty, came back on the 25th after having very promptly carried our my in structions-
The enclosed copy of my instructions and Constable Phillpots report will convey to you the information which you may require.
[In Margin: 65/85
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Mr Hanley Mr Chief[?] Secretary]
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The expenses connected with the provisioning of the men and their maintenance at Thursday Island amounted to £5" 16s" 11 which I have charged to Charlie Coen, deducting it from the a-mount of £14 found in his possession when arrested.
There will be some small additional expenses for which vouchers will be furnished
Concerning[?] that it will be desirable to follow up and repress this nefarious traffic in Binjis who are mere children I have taken steps to ensure this being done -
I am not myself able to leave Thursday Island, in con sequence of the serious illness of my wife, but I have arranged with Captain Borne[?] to take Mr F. G. Symes the Shelling Master in a Shelling boat to Darnley Island in order to inquire into the matter and to ascertain something
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more about the boats seen by Phillpotts.
Both Mr Symes and Captain Boore[?] are Magistrates and I have instructed them to act as such if necessary.
I have the honor
to be
Sir
Yr most obt servant
[signed] John Douglas