QUEENSLAND.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 87, 10 September 1874, Page 3

QUEENSLAND.

The latest official news from the Palmer states that the gold-field is prosperous, and that it is fast extending in the direction of the Mitchell River, The Chinese are arriving in large numbers. Provisions are both scarce and dear. The blacks are very troublesome. They have speared several horses, and are driving in prospectors. Carriers from Cooktown to Palmer demand £IOO a ton, which the merchants decline to give, and otter £75. At a preliminary meeting of the Northern Steam Company, held at Rockhampton, an influential committee was appointed. Two small steamers had been ottered for charter, and it was proposed to employ them as cargo boats. The operations of the company are to be confined from Rockhampton northwards.

The Brisbane Courier of the 17th inst reports that on the previous Saturday, about half-past nine o’clock, a man named Thompson, porter to Finney, Isles, and Co, was on his way to deliver a number of parcels on Springhill, and when about to turn the corner near the Bank of Australasia, one of a 'number of from eight to ten islanders — who, it is believed, were under the influence of liquor—gave him a rather severe thrust in the side. Thompson alleges that he did not give the least provocation, and the assault took him completely by surprise. He made some remark as to why he was thus struck, and while he spoke a large stone, thrown from the opposite side of the street, near the steps leading to Mr Petrie’s residence, struck him on the forebead, and for a moment nearly stunned him. At this juncture a man named William Robinson, of Leichardt street, Spring hill, came up and attempted to take Thompson’s part, whereupon the whole body of Kanakas ranged themselves on the embankment near the stonemasons’ shed in Mr Petrie’s yard, and commenced throwing volleys of the large sharp stones which are so plentifully strewn about the place. One of these stones struck Robinson on the back of the head, inflicting a dangerous scalp wound, and knocking him senseless to the ground ; and we believe that another man, John Connor, a drayman living in Fortitude Valley, also received a severe blow. Mr Davies, chemist, who happened to come up at the time, was also hit by stones, and was so badly hurt that he had to be taken home in a cab, and was unable to leave his bed. All this took place in a very short space of time, and upon the arrival of two policemen the islanders made off in the direction of the Valley, and towards the residence of Mr Davidson, the agent for the Aborigines’ Protection Society. The constables, assisted by a number of civilians, immediately gave chase, and two of the fugitives were arrested, and brought to the lock-up ; and another arrest was made about three o’clock on Sunday morning at the same place. Robinson bled profusely after being knocked down, and, it would appear, made several attempts to move, as three pools of blood were afterwards seen in different parts of the road. He was picked up and assisted away by his friends ; and should unfavourable symptoms set in, the wound may result fatally.