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J. W. Edmonds
[Stamps: COLONIAL SECRETARYS OFFICE QUEENSLAND 3441 4 MAY 86 COMMISSIONER OF POLICE QUEENSLAND 3345 Col Secr 7 May 1886]
Hughenden 22 Apl 1886
The Honble The Colonial Secretary Brisbane
Alleged shooting of blacks at a station called Vena Park
Sir,
I do myself the honour of laying before you a statement I have just heard which you might perhaps consider warrants investigation.
My informant in this matter is a well known respectable man named Chisholm, Manager for Messrs Wright, Heaton & Co and resident at Torren Creek - Great Northern Railway.
Mr Chisholm says I was travelling a short time since through the Normanton and Cloncurry districts when I heard this story. About 5 months ago, at a station called "Vena Park" on Spear Creek (towards Cloncurry) the station Em ployees' rode down and forcibly took away some gins and boys, belonging to a wild tribe in the locality.
The blacks eventually followed the abductors to the station, and demanded restitution.
These demands led to violence and three of the aborigines were shot dead by the Station hands.
Mr Chisholm
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says a man named E.A. Crosby, a carrier resident at Normanton, witnessed the transaction, the shooting of the blacks, and burning the bodies.
The name of the station manager is Wilson.
If Sir this story is true, and has not been already reported, you will I am sure excuse me for addressing you; nothing but a strong sense of justice and humanity, and pity for a downtrodden and inferior race as well as belief in the power of the Government to assert its authority and uphold the law actuates me in this matter, for I am a complete stranger in the Country, and to every one concerned.
I have the honour to be Sir Your very obdt Servt. J. Windeyer Edmonds Commissioner Division of Runs Aramac