Letter 52/1510, Page 1

Melbourne,
21st April 1852

Sir,
I have the honor to report
for the information of His Excellency
the Lieutenant Governor, that I have
now the greatest difficulty in keeping
the Troopers of the Native Police from
absconding from the Service;- no less
than five men having deserted since
the 5th. Instant, and two dead-
The number of men now in the corps
only muster nine, and I do not place
much confidence in them. I have
endeavoured to induce others to join,
but I find them mostly unwilling
to do so, which I can only account for,
from the facility they now have, of
making money, by working for the
Settlers, and also from their frequenting
the Gold Workings.

As I consider it would be a
waste of money, to issue clothing and
appointments, to men, over whom, now,
I have not the power of compelling
to

The Honorable
The Colonial Secretary
&c &c &c

[Annotation: top]

52/1510
6th May 1852
The Commandant of Native Police,
recommending a reduction of the Native
Police Force

[Annotation: left]

Answered
11th May 1852

Letter 52/1510, Page 2

to remain in the Service, I would
beg to suggest, the following altera-
tions in the present Force.

The Corps as it now stands,
consists of two officers, a serjeant-major,
serjeant, three corporals, and a Bullock-
driver - Europeans.- I would now
propose that eight European Troopers
be attached in the room of the twenty
native troopers, originally intended
to form the Corps; only retaining
six natives, as Trackers, which
would give a force, without including
officers, of twenty men. I can engage
good men willing to serve for a
twelve month, at four shillings per
diem, with the Increase at present
allowed from the Territorial Revenue;
the cost of which would be amply
provided for by the funds at present
in Hand for the Department of
Native Police.

Should His Excellency sanction
this proposal, I could furnish
Detachments for Gipps’ Land, and
the Murray, both of which are
urgently required, within three weeks,
and