Things
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)
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)
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)
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)
privacy policy
15-aug-10
Find the hiding places and sites where the KellyGang found fame and fortune and where their friends indulged in horse stealing and tried to make a life against the challenges of the squatters and banks. Let the KellyGang show you the places where they found safety from the law in the bush.