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== Importance of the police aboriginal trackers ==
The police used aboriginal trackers to follow the '''KellyGang'''.
'''Related topics include''' -[[#1a|The beginning]] , [[#26/10/1878|Murders at Stringy Bark Creek]] , [[#7/11/1878|Warby Ranges]] , [[#10/12/1878|Euroa robbery]] , [[#10/2/1879|Insp O'Connor & Queensland trackers arrive]] , [[#6/7/1879|Hare replaced by Nicolson]] , [[#6|Second cave party]] , Nicolson replaced by Hare , [[#6a|plans to withdraw O'Connor and Queensland trackers]], [[#26/6/1880|death of Aaron Sherritt]] , [[#28/6/1880|Glenrowan siege]] , [[#12|Later]] , [[#9|Royal Commission]] ,
== Links to the KellyGang ==
'''The beginning''' In May [[1864-1873 Events|1870]] Sup Hare and Nicolson arranged for an aboriginal tracker from the police station at [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] to accompany them when they went to arrest Harry [[Harry Power|Power]].A group of police trackers were based at Benalla. '''Murders at Stringy Bark Creek in the Wombat Ranges 26/10/1878''' AssCom [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] had with him a good blackfellow - a Darling black tracker-who traced the the '''KellyGang''' in the area of the [[Murray Flats|Murray Flats]] and [[William Baumgarten|Baumgarten]]'s up within a quarter of a mile of [[Banawatha|Barnawatha]] ([[Royal Commission report day 2 page 3|RC350]])
Const [[Johnston|Johnson]] had two trackers with him on [[ev78-10--4Mansfield Murders|9/11/1878]] when he found the police horse from Stringy Bark Creek in the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 8|RC12428]]) They came from [[Coranderrk|Coranderrk]]. Const [[Johnston|Johnston]] said that the trackers were very slow because they had to track on foot. ([[Royal Commission report day 10 page 11|RC1880]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 9|RC12461]])
'''Warby Ranges 6/11/1878''' Local trackers were taken into the [[Warby Ranges|Warby Ranges]]. There were issues about how they worked. ([[Royal Commission report day 33 page 11|RC12491]])
Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] said that the tracker was an old man, a good tracker, from '''Coriander''', one of the old aboriginals, and therefore possessed of more skill than the present lot, and a young man whom the old fellow called his pupil, named '''Jemmy'''. ([[Royal Commission report day 2 page 7|RC415]])
The police had a problem with local aboriginal trackers. ([[Royal Commission report day 11 page 3|RC2013]]) see also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/11/1878|Argus14/11/78]]) '''Euroa Robbery 10/12/1878''' Two trackers were included in the police search party from [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] ([[Royal Commission report day 19 page 2|RC5964]]) Jemmy was one of them ([[Royal Commission report day 2 page 16|RC551]]) They were [[Spider|Spider]] and '''Harry''' ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/12/1878|Argus14/12/78]]) Harry came from
'''O'Connor and Queensland trackers arrive in Victoria 6/3/[[events79-2_4Jerilderie Robbery|1879]]''' '''Proposal to use trackers'''
Following the Jerilderie robbery in Feburary 1879, it was mooted by the press generally and by some of the Government Ministers, that it would be very desirable to have black trackers down from Queensland. Com [[Standish|Standish]] was opposed to it. He though that in a large uninhabited district, where there is a scant population and little or no traffic, the services of the black trackers, which are chiefly utilized in pursuing and dispersing the native blacks, are of use, it would be very little use in a district where there is a large traffic on all the roads, and where the movements of the outlaws were known to be wonderfully rapid. He was also concerned that the '''[[KellyGang|KellyGang]]''' often used to ride 50, 60, and 70 miles between night and morning. They also knew every corner and nook of the district, and had their numerous sympathizers, who would very soon obliterate their tracks. ([[Royal Commission report day 1 page 7|RC47]])
See also ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/2/1879 (2)|Argus12/2/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 15/2/1879|Argus15/2/79]]) ([[Illustrated Australian News at KellyGang 12/4/1879|Illustrated12/4/1879]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 11 page 4|RC2035]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 48 page 5|RC16133]]) ([[Royal Commission second Report Part XI ( page 14)|RC2nd reportXI]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (46)|JJK]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/12/1931|Argus12/12/1931]]) '''Queensland Trackers arrive in Victoria'''
6 [[Queensland police|Queensland]] trackers, a Constable and Insp [[O'Connor|O'Connor]] had come down to Sydney by ship. We then travelled from Sydney to [[Albury|Albury]] by train. At 7 pm on 6/3/[[events79-2_4Jerilderie Robbery|1879]]. The names of my men were-Senior-Constable [[SConst King|King]], Corporal [[Sambo|Sambo]], Troopers [[Hero|Hero]], [[Johnny|Johnny]], [[Jimmy|Jimmy]], [[Barney|Barney]], and [[Jacky|Jack]]. The trackers arrived at Benalla at 2pm on 10/3/1879. ([[The Argus at KellyGang 10/3/1879|Argus10/3/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 11/3/1879|Argus11/3/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 12/3/1879|Argus12/3/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 19/3/1879|Agrus19/3/79]]) ''''([[The Argus at KellyGang 19/3/1879 (2)|Agrus19/3/79]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 4 page 11|RC1073]])
See some background information about the trackers ([[The Argus at KellyGang 13/3/1879|Agrus13/3/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 14/3/1879|Agrus14/3/79]])
Com [[Standish|Standish]] complained that the trackers were too slow. Of course they had to have a large number of pack-horses. The Queensland trackers were more susceptible of cold than the white men, and it was necessary to carry a fly or tent for them and their blankets; but they had no real trial of speed. They were very active on foot. On one occasion they had a very long trip to search for some place, and they were certainly then quicker than the local police, and in better condition. ([[Royal Commission report day 31 page 3|RC11913]])
Hare's view of the use of the trackers.([[Royal Commission report day 6 page 7|RC1289]]) ([[The Last of the Bushrangers Chapter 10 page 1|FH]])
The Royal Commission described Com [[Standish|Standish]]'s concern about the use of the trackers in the following terms:
"He believed them to be wholly unsuitable for tracking in broken and mountainous country, more especially as they required a considerable quantity of impedimenta, could work but slowly, and were therefore the more liable to attract observation. In a district like that in which the pursuit was conducted, and having to cope with men who frequently rode from 60 to 70 miles in one night, it was believed by Captain Standish that the trackers were utterly useless, and that their engagement was an idle expenditure of money. "
"While Captain Standish entertained this opinion of the trackers, it must be noticed that Mr. [[Hare|Hare]], Mr. [[Sadleir|Sadleir]] and other competent authorities who had practical experience of the value of their work, bore favorable testimony to their abilities and usefulness." ([[Royal Commission second Report Part XI ( page 14)|RC2ndreportXI]]) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 9|RC16138]])
O'Connor and Queensland trackers went out on our first patrol from [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] on 11/3/1879 and returned on 18/3/1879.
The trackers were kept together at Benalla and sent out from there to where they were needed. ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 4|RC3071]])
'''Hare replaced by Nicolson 6/7/1879''' Trackers went to follow up on the bank robbery at Lancefield in August 1879.([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/8/1879 (7)|Argus16/8/79]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 18/8/1879|Argus18/8/79]])
There were not many opportunities to use the trackers after that ([[Royal Commission evidence day 5 page 1|RC1109]]) ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (50)|JJK]]) '''Second Cave Party 12/1879-4/1880''' In the last week before Ass Com [[Nicolson|Nicolson]] left there was a good report of [[Joe Byrne|Joe Byrne]] visiting his mother. Nicolson decided not to follow up with the trackers for fear that the '''KellyGang''' would find out who the police informer was ([[Royal Commission report day 5 page 2|RC1110]])
'''Plans to remove the Queensland aboriginal trackers''' Plan to remove the trackers; reason ([[The Argus at KellyGang 22/5/1880|Argus22/5/80]]) See also ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (57)|JJK]])
The Queensland trackers and Insp [[O'Connor|O'Connor]] left [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] for Melbourne on [[events 1880-4/ 1880-6|25/6/1880]]
At about that time Sup [[Hare|Hare]] thought about moving trackers up to [[Beechworth|Beechworth]] to assist with the party watching Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne]]'s place. His plan was to have trackers at other centres such as [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]], [[Beechworth|Beechworth]] and [[Wangaratta|Wangaratta]]. These were the new trackers to be recruited from Queenslang by Sup [[Chomley (2)|Chomley]]. ([[Royal Commission report day 14 page 4|RC3072]])
Their pay will be 5s. a day, which will be handed to the officer in charge of the station where they stay, who will provide with food, clothing, and necessaries, giving them the balance of their pay in small amounts from time to time. ([[Royal Commission report day 29 page 3|RC11478]])
Two trackers and [[Kirkham|Kirkham]] were sent out to assist the police watching Mrs [[Mrs Margaret Byrne|Byrne]]'s place shortly before Aaron [[Aaron Sherritt|Sherritt]] murdered. ([[Royal Commission report day 17 page 3|RC4733]])
'''Death of Aaron Sherritt 26/6/1880''' The Queensland trackers were in Melbourne at the time.
The Victorian government asked the Queensland Government for the return of the trackers ([[The Complete Inner History of the KellyGang and their Pursuers (63)|JJK]])
'''Glenrowan Siege 28/6/1880'''
The trackers arrived with Insp [[O'Connor|O'Connor]] on the train from Melbourne. They had been down in Melbourne getting ready to catch the ship to sail home to Queensland when the news of Aaron Sherritt's murder came through. They arrived at Glenrowan at about [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|2.30am]]. The press reports of the battle with the '''KellyGang''' state that the the trackers stod to their post gallantly throughout the whole encounter. They also stood the baptism of fire with fortitude, never flinching for one instant. ([[The Argus (13)|Argus]]/6/80) see also ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 17|RC16250]])
Sup [[Sadleir|Sadlier]] praised the Queensland trackers for their efforts. ([[The Argus (45)|Argus20/7/80]])
On the morning of [[ev80-06-28Glenrowan|29/6/1880]] all the police were paraded before me at [[Benalla Police Station|Benalla]] but the trackers were not included. ([[Royal Commission report day 47 page 17|RC16243]])
'''Later'''
In June 1881 Const [[Kirkham|Kirkham]] produced a report on the efforts of the new Queensland trackers. ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 1|RC10997]]) He referred to the skills of '''Dick Brown, Monkey Brown, Peter Brown, Paddy Brown, Moses Bulla, Jim Crow, and Billy Nut'''. See text of report ([[The Age (25)|Age5/7/1880]]) ([[The Argus at KellyGang 6/7/1880 (2)|Argus6/7/80]]) ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 1|RC10997]])
The following was a description of their level of skill.
"for the purpose of testing what they really could do, and carrying out the system of practice that I intend to continue with regard to them. Not anticipating any questions on the subject, he is away, and I did not get any report. He intended to write, but he hand to go away on duty. He was away for some hours on horseback. He dismounted, and took a course on foot through farms and fences, and along the tops of fences, and pursued a course calculated to puzzle the trackers as much as possible. He then left the following day with three trackers, and accompanied by himself, having no one with him but [[Kirkham|Kirkham,]] so that no one should know what the trackers could or could not do, as it would be inadvisable it should be known generally. He reported to me that their ability was unquestionable, that they acted splendidly, and that everything that was expected of them was fulfilled. It was my intention to go out to-day or to-morrow with the other three myself, but, having been summoned here, of course it was not done. These are only instances at present in which I can speak personally of their knowledge and ability to track. Their conduct is exemplary, and they are most attentive and subordinate in every way" ([[Royal Commission report day 28 page 1|RC10998]])
'''Reward'''
The trackers, are allotted £50 each, to be handed to the Governments of Queensland and Victoria to be spent at their discretion ([[The Argus at KellyGang 16/4/1881|Argus16/4/81]]) ''''''
'''Royal Commission''' The [[Royal Commission|Royal Commission]] expressed its appreciation to Queensland and the trackers in the following terms
"17. That your Commissioners desire to record their marked appreciation of the courtesy and promptitude displayed by the Queensland Government in forwarding a contingent of native trackers to Victoria to aid in the pursuit of the outlaws. We take this opportunity of expressing our approval of the services of the black trackers as a body, and deeply regret that any misunderstanding amongst the officers in command of operations in the North-Eastern district should have led to unpleasant complications. The Queensland contingent did good service, and your Commissioners trust that the Victorian Government will not fail to accord them proper recognition."([[Royal Commission second Report (page 2)|RC2ndReport]]) See also ([[Royal Commission second (page 1)|RC1stReport]])
Future plan for trackers ([[The Argus at KellyGang 8/6/1882|Argus8/6/82]])
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