3

bush cooking some fish.

Miller addressed them through one of
the men who understood English and after
explaining to them that in future no
children must be allowed to go away.
The Chief was invited to come and visit
the Government Resident at Thursday Island
who wished to speak to him. Bread and
tobacco was distributed and after shaking
hands again, with them all; Miller returned
to the boat having received expressions of
goodwill from the Natives, some even
offering to come with him.

Weighed anchor at 11 am and reached
the passage between Woody Wallis Island and
the Mainland at midnight, and anchored.
At daybreak on the 25th instant Miller
accompanied by Charlie Weir and Charlie Cord[?],
landed, and collected twenty-five women, and
Forty-seven men amongst them being the men
who had returned to the Jardine River.
"Bannis" Chief of the Natives of the York
Peninsula was among the number - Miller
ordered them to sit down and then addressed
"Bannis" (who understands English perfectly,
having been employed by Mr Jardine) telling
him that on no account was he to allow children
to be taken away in the boats.
Bread and tobacco was then distributed, after
which Miller came on board.
Got under-way and stood across the Endeavour
Straits, and round Prince of Wales Island, up
through the Friday Island passage to Thursday
Island, where we anchored at 5pm.

Signed Percy Phillpotts
Water Police Constable.