Transcription Page 13

No 56
Chief Protectors Office
Melbourne Port Phillip
12 June 1839

Sir
In reference to your letter of the 11th Feby
last placing at my disposal the Aboriginal
Police Corps formerly Established in this
District. I do myself the honor (in
explanation) to state that as the Native
Police had prior to my arrival been
disbanded and the subject itself seeming
to require more than an ordinary share
of attention that therefore I was induced
to defer submitting my sentiments and
opinions thereupon until the present period
and notwithstanding I have given the subject
the fullest consideration I still find that much
difficulty surrounds the question, which time
and circumstances only can remove.

In the interim I would respectfully

To
E. Deas Thomson Esqr.
Colonial Secretary
&c &c &c

[Annotation: top]

Copy

[Annotation: left]

39/60

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recommend that the Aboriginal Police Corps
be re-establised [sic], and that the same amount
of Salary with allowances be afforded to the
Superintendent as was given to the
ex-conductor Mr D’Villiers- The circumstance
of there being always in this Township a
Number of strong able bodied Aborigines
and now without employment, induces me
(particularly as the men themselves are
willing) to make this recommendation, at
present I am of an opinion that a Native
Police Corps properly organized and conducted
would be found of great advantage, to the
Community at large; but more especially
to the European Inhabitants, by restraining
Bush-ranging, tracking out and apprehending
run-away Convicts, and others; and by checking
the predatory attacks of Aboriginal Natives
for which specific duties those people will
be found admirably suited. Much if
not the entire of their efficiency, however,
will depend upon the fitness of the person
appointed to conduct: for unless a person
competent be obtained, who would be willing
to devote his whole time and energies to

[Annotation: right]

Natives of the Locality
and formerly employed
as Police men.

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the Undertaking, I am not prepared to say
whether the good herein contemplated would
be realized, nor do I think, that, they the
Natives, could be brought to act, or be made
available for the duties referred to; the person
employed to superintend the Native Police
should be a respectable and an intelligent man,
one who would take a deep and lively interest
in their welfare; would be constantly with
them, make himself master of their language
and that of the adjacent Tribes, be ready to
submit at all times to privation whenever the
circumstances connected with his duty should
require him to do so. as no doubt some
difficulty will be experienced in procuring
a fit person for the Office. I would submit
whether in the first instance it would not
be desirable the person so appointed be required
to serve a limited time on probation, prior
to his being confirmed in his Situation.

It had been my intention to have recommended
the Establisment [sic] of a Domestic Police, to have
been attached to each Assistant Protector (of
five men each) for the exclusive management of
the affairs of those Tribes, amongst whom the
Assistant Protectors might sojourn and that
the individuals so appointed be chosen by