Queensland police
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Police at KellyGang
Early in December 1878 Mr. D. T. Seymour, the Queensland Commissioner, offered to place a number of native trackers at the service of the Victorian Government. The proposal did not meet with acceptance at the hands of Captain Standish. After the Jerilderie raid, however, the necessity for employing skilled trackers became obvious, and the Chief Commissioner's objections were overcome upon the representations of his officers. A telegram, dated 15/2/1879, was accordingly despatched to Mr. Seymour, at Brisbane, asking him to send down a party of eight trackers, under the command of a competent officer. The terms as regards remuneration and mode of working the contingent were soon arranged, and, on the 6th of March ensuing, Inspector O'Connor and his blacks arrived at Albury, where they were met by Captain Standish. (RC2nd reportXI) (Argus12/12/1931)
The varying importance of Queensland is illustrated by the cost. (RC735)
incidents
Decision to send the Trackers to Victoria
Management of the trackers
"Telegram from Brisbane, May 13th 1879. To Sub-Inspector O'Connor. The Colonial Secretary desires that you will not separate yourself from your troopers, nor allow any to be detached from you. -C.H. BARRON, pro Commissioner." (RC1091) see earlier correspondence 17/2/1879 (RC9829)
On 3/5/1880 Com Standish wrote to Queensland and asked if Moses could returned to the Victoria police. (RC11478)(RC11529)
In mid May 1880 the Victoria police understood that the Queensland Government not only demanded that the trackers be employed under the supervision of their officer, but also stated that they should be sent back to Brisbane as soon as possible.
Com Standish telegraphed to the Commissioner of Police at Brisbane to ask him if he had any objection to Moses and one of the other trackers being left behind with the view of their being permanently attached to our force.
I attach copy of Mr. Seymour's rely.
Standish obtained the authority of the Government to engage the services of four other trackers in Victoria and in N.S.Wales. (RC11478)
See also (Illustrated12/4/1879)
Decision to return trackers to Queensland Decision to return trackers
Following correspondence from O'Connor Com Seymour sent the following telegram on 14/6/1880"You will receive instructions from Captain Standish, who has been requested to send you back as soon as convenient. The leave you ask cannot be granted, you must accompany boys" (RC11461) see also (RC1110)
O'Connor replied "Of course I will accompany troopers, but request leave such time as required to arrange affairs. Will pay for boys myself during leave"
The reply from Queensland on 14/6/1880 was- "You must return with troopers without delay on receiving instructions from Captain Standish. Leave will be granted you to return if required." (RC11463)
Decision to allow trackers to go back after Aaron Sherritt's murder
On Sunday, after the intelligence of the Aaron Sherritt's death, Mr Ramsay telegraphed the Queensland authorities, pointing out the importance of the men being allowed to remain and assist in the search.
On 28/6/80 Mr Palmer sent this telegram:- 'I replied hastily to your telegram last night, authorising you to detain O'Connor and the native troopers, and feel bound to say that, although O'Connor has never officially reported the fact, it has stated by Queenslanders who have been in Victoria that a general impression exits, both there and here, that a considerable amount of jealousy is felt by the Victorian police towards our men. I can assure you that unless out troopers, with their officers, are allowed to go to the front at once, there will be little use in calling upon them to do so after the white police have effected the tracks.-HS Palmer' (Argus29/6/1880)
Problems with Insp O'Connor
What happened when Insp O'Connor returned to Brisbane after Glenrowan. (RC11518)
Insp O'Connor wired the Queensland police sometime in August 1880, and he recieved a private reply from Mr. Barron, the Acting Commissioner, dated 6th August 1880, stating that he had not succeeded in obtaining the letters he had wanted. They related to his relationships with Com Standish. (RC11469)
Mr. Ramsay sent a letter to the Victorian Government, stating what he thought of Insp O'Connor's services in Victoria. O'Connor sent another telegram stating; that he was not wanted. He received a reply dated January 11th 1881, stating the necessary papers had been posted on that day.
Those were not the papers that he wanted, and he then sent another application for them, dated March 17th 1881.(RC11470)
The New South Wales and Queensland Governments objected to the Reward Board's recommendations. (Argus9/5/81)
O'Connor represented the Queensland Government at the Royal Commission. (RC11460)
Royal Commission expressed appreciation to the Queensland Government (RC2ndReport) (JJK)
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