R Christison to Howitt

Transcription - Page 1

Lammermoor Oct 31st
Ackd 28/11/[??]
Alfred Howitt, Esq
Sale Gippsland Victoria

Dear Sir
I feel quite ashamed to write to you
tis so long ago since I got your last letters.
I have been most busy: closing a long partnership,
selling some runs, and buying others, that I have
had but little time for anything else.
Dr Beddoe has gone, I regret to say he would
not help me to give you the information you
required. I have gone over all your queries
to-day and I fear I cannot answer your
questions accurately, of course I have an
idea of many of your questions, but I refrain
from attempting to answer them as I have
my doubts as to their accuracy. However,
what is in my power, and you can rely
upon its accuracy, lies in the dot-tracing
I have made on your map, showing the
boundary lines of the various tribes in this
district, and the names of them.

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The only one I am doubtful of is No. 9. I
think it lies more to the eastward towards
the Alice and Barcoo. I feel I could an-
wer more of your Queries if I met you
personally and had some of my most intell-
igent blacks with us, is there no probability
of you coming north? Would you like
a water color head of two Dalebūra
male and female? I shall make another
attempt and try if I can give you some
more information, especially upon the Issue
of relationship. The drought is still very
bad, if no rain falls before Feb I fear ruin
will fall upon many. Griffith’s Land Bill
is most damaging to Lessees, and must injure
the future advance of Queensland much.
I hope to go to Tenterfield N.S.Wales in
December to escape the hot months here
during the rainy season, if we are ever to have
another.

Yours faithfully
R. Christison