CO129-301 - Governor Sir Blake - 1900 [9-12] — Page 64

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CO

數

OF Y

Hon. Colonial Secretary.

1st June 1900.

Annexed

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35220

63

REC Real 20 UCT 00

I attach copy of P.S.Langley's

report dated lat. inst., On receipt of telephone message

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from him that firing was going on, but that he was un-

able then to state the cause, I hired a launch(no police launch being available) and got ready an armed party

; to take with me to Aberdeen, but by the time the launch

,

was ready to start, he was able to tell me the cause of

the trouble, and as everything was then quiet, and no

harm done, I thought it better not to interfere. Later

in the night the firing was renewed, but as it seem

ed unlikely that any injury would be done if they were

left alone, while interference on the part of the police

on

in (especially if - a launch) in their then excited state-

would probably do more harm than good, I thought it best

po take no further steps till morning. No injury was done,

I think P.S.Langley actéd with pluck and judgment. I

i thought it would be hard on the junk people to prosecute

them wholesale for acts which they committed in a genuine

feeling or panic, but I had them warned that they certain -

ly would be punished if they repeated the offence.

On the 3rd. inst., a launch apim

proached Aberdeen and caused a little commotion, and one

junk fired off a cannon. The master was promptly arrest-

ed and the Magistrate fined him $200. This taught them

a lesson I hope as there has been xa no more trouble. I

have delayed reporting for a few days to see how things

9/6/00.

$

would go. Everything is quiet now I am glad to say,

and the

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junks have resumed their ordinary business. The rumour

has also subsided now in the town. I regret to say all attempts to get at the original of the rumour have been

unsuccessful.

(sd) F.J.B.,

Actg.C.S.P.

Oct!