seem 



SECOND EXPEDITION 521 



The prospectors objected to these instructions, that they 

 appeared to give me too much power over their movements, and 

 imagined that I might obstinately keep them prospecting for 

 months in a locality which they might not think good enough. 

 To their remonstrance they received, by telegraph, the following 

 reply : 



"Brisbane, 18-11-79. 



" Your telegram I4th. Prospectors are not under control of geologist and leader 

 not subordinate to him. Read instructions again. You have separate outfit and are 

 entirely independent of Mr. Jack. Mr. Jack takes the opportunity of party going 

 out to accompany it for the purpose of making geological notes of the country travelled 

 over and to render any assistance in his power to the party, but is instructed to make 

 his geological surveys subordinate to the main object of the expedition, that is the 

 discovery of alluvial goldfield. The only authority he has over the prospectors is 

 that he shall direct what country shall be prospected fof the first four months. Consult 

 Mr. Jack and you will find all matters can be satisfactorily arranged between you. 



" GEO. L. LUKIN." 



A copy of the above telegram was sent to me, and I replied on 

 the same date : 



" Quite ready for my part to carry out instructions of 7th instant which 

 fair, reasonable and workable." 



On talking the matter over with the prospecting party, we 

 were mutually satisfied with the arrangement made in the Under- 

 Secretary's last telegram that the localities to be prospected were 

 to be indicated by me for the first four months, and that the pro- 

 spectors were to be the sole judges of how much time should be 

 spent on each. I had no doubt that the prospectors and myself 

 would agree on the latter point. 



When the first intimation of the proposed expedition reached 

 me, I felt it my duty to represent to you the necessity for a small 

 escort of native police. 



" Recent experience leads me to suggest that an OFFICER OF NATIVE POLICE, with 

 a few troopers, SHOULD ACCOMPANY THE PARTY for the double purpose of protecting 

 the horses and taking charge of the relations of the blacks and whites. This would 

 prevent, I believe, the difficulties likely to arise should the prospectors be compelled 

 to take the law into their own hands. It would add nothing to the cost of the 

 expedition, as the outfit of the troopers has already been provided for, and their 

 rations and pay run on equally whether they are employed in active service or not." 



The suggestion was not complied with. [The refusal was 

 conveyed by the Under-Secretary in decorous official phraseology 

 to which no exception could be taken. Many years later I learned 

 that the Minister's instructions were to " tell Mr. Jack that he can 

 find his own black boys if he is afraid to go without them." The 

 following narrative furnishes abundant evidence that my suggestion 

 was a reasonable one, and that its adoption would have saved much 

 trouble. It was, in fact, acted upon by succeeding ministers, who 

 were always ready to provide police escort for telegraph parties, 



II 12 



