Bridgman to Fison 14/1/1874

Transcription - Page 3

in this district, I don't know how many there
are in Queensland altogether but I should
suppose about from three to four thousand,
certainly as far as their treatment here is
concerned there is nothing to complain of
they are well fed clothed paid + employers
are compelled by the act which regulates their
importation to provide medical attendance
and to send them home at the end of three
years.
I hear however chiefly from the government
agents who accompany the ships, of all of all sorts
of outrages at the islands, it seems to me
chiefly perpetuated by persons who reside there,
[and - crossed out] it is high time that well disposed persons
combine together for the purpose of bringing
public opinion to bear strongly on the matter.

I believe the principle in which what is called recruiting
is carried on from both Fiji & Queensland is