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  "that tract of country known as the ""Seven"

2
parently, as the native Labourers Protection.
Act refers only of course to Queensland waters.
Furthermore, both in the opinion of the Gov. Resident
and the Shipping Master, the Island natives
(ie. those beyond Prince of Wales and Horn
Island) can understand English, are well
able to take care of themselves, and do not
require protective legislation, a fact which
I was very pleased to learn, as my work
will be only too fully occupied in dealing
with the abuses to which the mainland natives.
are exposed.
All aboriginals employed on the boats have of
course to be on articles.
It would appear that just lately at Thursday
Island there has been quite a revival in
pearl-shell surface-diving and it is probable
that even more blacks than that already
employed (about 300) will be required. At
present they are being recruited principally
from the Western Coast of Cape York along
that tract of country known as the "Seven
Rivers" ie. the coast district between the Jardine
River and the Batavia. Further south, the
blacks are "myalls" and Mr Douglas has
been warned by the (Batavia) missionaries
that if the present system of recruiting is
continued, there will be every probability of
the occurrence of outrages, such blacks
being tempted onto the boats and forcibly
detained there. This press-gang system of
recruiting is carried on at the present time,
in evidence of which I forward you the
written statement of Mr Brown as to what
took place down there only six weeks ago.
At any rate Mr Douglas, is therefore determined