Issued November 2007 / Patron: Commissioner P White APM
THE NEWSLETTER
OF THE
NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE
MUSEUM AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY INC
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FULL UNIFORM - IDEAL TROPICAL WEAR!
House No.1
Peter McAulay Centre
Berrimah Northern Territory 0800
Australia
Postal Address
PO Box 39764
Winnellie NT 0821
Australia
Phone/Fax 08 8922 3374
E-mail / COMMITTEE MEMBERS
President Mark McAdie
Vice President Sean Parnell
Secretary/Treasurer Danny Bacon
Committee Denzil McManus
Chantel Parsons
John Wolthers
Kym Chilton
Barry Frew
Acting Editor
Citation Magazine
Dear Sir
I wish to advise of those elected to the Committee of the NT Police Museum and Historical Society for the forthcoming year. Would you include these details in the next issue of Citation.
The president is Mr Mark McAdie; the Vice President Mr Sean Parnell, and the Secretary and Treasurer Mr Daniel Bacon.
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Other Committee members are Denzil McManus, Chantel Parsons, John Wolthers, Kym Chilton and Barry Frew.
The office is open at House 3 at the PMC between 9am and 12md on Monday and Wednesday except for Public Holidays. Email is
Membership fees are $150 for life membership, and $15 for annual membership. Citation magazine is available to all members of our Society without cost.
Yours faithfully
Barry Frew .
Outgoing Secretary
10-08-2007
CHIT CHAT
Rosemary Rowe and Val Watters continue to attend the Society office week after week, and have been doing so for over seven years. Rosemary and Val are preserving a legacy for the future. Thanks to you both.
Again thanks to trouble shooter/computer whiz David Watters without whose technical assistance this and every newsletter would never make the press!!
Barry and Clare Frew keep the organization running, and every day we are thankful for their commitment.
Terry Boxal, whose service in the Northern Territory Police goes back many years, was one of the interstate Society members who attended the Retired Police Association Reunion in September. Terry joined the NT Police in 1946 after having served in the R.A.A.F. during WW11 where he attained the rank of Warrant Officer. He spent his time in the job in Darwin, and because of the investigation training received in the R.A.A.F. he spent considerable time as a Detective. After training in Melbourne, he worked in what was to become the Finger Print Section. He resigned on the 22.8.51 to take up a position with the Federal Government Attorney General's Department. He spent the first year with the A.G's in Darwin and during that time the Granthum taxi driver murder was committed, and Terry identified one of the offenders from fingerprints. Terry then served in Sydney and later in Melbourne, where he remained until retirement.
Physically and mentally active, Terry keeps himself extremely busy reading business articles, attending the gym and looking after family investments. Terry took part in the march to the Cathedral to attend the Police Remembrance Service, and didn't look anything like an 87 year old.
Other Society members who attended from interstate were David Pollock, David Le Cerf, Mavis Conaghan, Neil Vogelsang, and Graham Fry. They all looked well, and Mavis well known as an intrepid traveller, was about to undertake an exotic cruise.
And while on the topic of intrepid travellers, Society member Marlene McNeill has just completed (by the time this goes to press) a three month overseas trip – solo. Destinations included England, Ireland – a favourite -, Scotland and America where the Big Apple had a definite wow! effect. Having visited many friends in these different locations, Marlene had a few days with Jock (retired N.T.P.) and Joan McPherson at the Bay of Islands in New Zealand before returning to Australia.
Barry and Clare Frew have also recently returned from tripping overseas.
Ray Weir called into the office last month and recalled the 1968 case in which Billy Benn murdered an Aboriginal at Harts Range, and subsequently wounded Len Cossons and Blake Jobberns. The hunt for Benn proved difficult because he hid his tracks by walking in the rocky country. However, Benn's dogs were his undoing as they chose to avoid the rocks, and his pursuers were able to follow the dogs’ tracks. Benn was eventually arrested by Constable Terry O'Brien after a 13 day search.
NATIONAL POLICE REMEMBRANCE DAY
The 29 September is St Michael's Day - the Patron Saint of Law Enforcers.
On this day each year, police forces in the Australian and South West Pacific Region commemorate and remember fellow police officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.
National Police Remembrance Day, 2007 was commemorated at a moving ceremony at St Mary's Cathedral, Darwin on 28 September.
WANTED
A BRIEF HISTORY OF NORTHERN TERRITORY POLICE FORCE : 1870 - 1931
The Northern Territory sometimes referred to as `the last frontier' has a (permanent) police history dating from 1870 when Inspector Paul Foelsche and six other police officers arrived in the Territory. A small rural constabulary (part time force) had existed earlier but was disbanded.
The Territory was then under South Australian control and the town of Palmerston, now the city of Darwin, was founded by William George Goyder - Surveyor General of South Australia.
In December 1869, the Governor commissioned Paul Foelsche, a Corporal in the SA Mounted Police stationed at Strathalbyn, to be the first Sub-Inspector of Police at Palmerston. He sailed for Darwin soon afterwards. The early police letterbooks recording correspondence between the Commissioner's office in Adelaide and Inspector Foelsche in Palmerston have, unfortunately, been lost so we do not know the exact history of the early days.
The police uniform then worn in the Territory was the same as that worn in South Australia. It consisted of a short cut-away blue serge tunic with nine regulation buttons; silver twisted cord shoulder knots, black braid on the sleeves and silver chevrons for non-commissioned officers. The riding breeches were dark blue corkscrew serge with a white stripe. Ideal tropical wear! The first firearms were a Schneider rifle or carbine, calibre .577.
These were the first breech loaded rifles used in the British Army, and the original cartridges had a cardboard case. Later Martini-Henry rifles were used, and Webley revolvers were issued. Like their predecessors, the Rural Constabulary at Escape Cliffs, the first detachment of police at Palmerston had as their first responsibility the maintenance of law and order in the community. Known as "The Camp", the main settlement area was on the harbour waterfront, near what is today Stokes Hill Wharf.
With the discovery of gold near Pine Creek in 1872 the police found themselves with never a dull moment. Stations were established at Adelaide River, Yam Creek, Pine Creek, and Roper River and later at Daly River.
The first European to be murdered in the Northern Territory was a surveyor named Bennett. He was speared by Aborigines at Adelaide River and was buried on top of Fort Hill, Darwin, overlooking the harbour. The grave was ultimately moved to the cemetery at McMillans Road, to make way for a bulk-loading terminal.
The first police fatality occurred in 1872 when Mounted Constable Davis, a noted swimmer, disobeyed a local Standing Order and had a dip in the sea. He was taken by a crocodile.
Darwin's first police station was a crude affair of poles and plaster measuring 20ft by 12ft. The inspector lived nearby in three rooms. A small stone building with two cells was the accommodation for those in custody. These are now incorporated in the Administrator's offices on the Esplanade.
Then, as now, the police had the invaluable assistance of Aboriginal Trackers.
In Central Australia the police were part of the South Australian Mounted Police. Mounted Constable Shirley was the first mounted trooper in charge at Alice Springs (first called Stuart).
Borroloola, Roper River, Barrow Creek, Charlotte Waters, Arltunga, Lake Nash, Tennant Creek, Harts Range, to name but a few, are Police Stations redolent of history, and the deeds of tough and colourful men - on both sides of the law!
At one time there were two Commissioners of Police in the Northern Territory: one for the Territory of North Australia and one for the Territory of Central Australia.
In 1931, the two Territories became the Northern Territory of Australia and the authority of the Commissioner of Police was vested in the Administrator of the Northern Territory, in Darwin.
"TIME-LINE OF NORTHERN TERRITORY
POLICE HISTORY 1864 – 1931”
1864 Government Resident BT Finniss appoints 7 special "Rural Constables" to assist with the maintenance of law and order at Escape Cliffs settlement. The 7 men were also to act as stockmen and explorers
1870 January: Inspector Foelsche arrived in Darwin wit 6 officers. Total Force of Northern Territory Mounted Police comprised 1 Inspector, l Corporal and 5 Constables.
1872 November: Constable Davies taken by Crocodile while swimming in Darwin Harbour.
1873 First Police stationed in Central Australia at Charlotte Waters and Barrow Creek. These Stations manned with Officers detached from Far Northern Division of South Australian Police --this procedure followed in Central Australia until 1911.
Strength of Force as of December: 1 Inspector, 1 Sergeant, 17 Constables - to deal with spread of settlement and expansion of population due to the first gold rushes and to provide security for overland telegraph line.
Police camps established at Howley and Pine Creek.
Police Stations opened at Southport and Yam Creek.
1879 Police Officer stationed at Alice Springs.
1884 4 miners killed by Aboriginals at Daly River Copper Mine. Severe reprisals led by Mounted Corporal Montague.
Second Officer stationed at Alice Springs. Mounted Constable Willshire organises native Police Corps - disbanded January 1885.
1886 November: Police Stations opened at Borroloola and Katherine.
1888 Third Constable stationed at Alice Springs.
1889 Police Stations opened at Camooweal, Roper River, Powells Creek, and Anthony Lagoon.
Mounted Constable Willshire establishes Police patrol party at Boggy Hole (Finke River) to control cattle spearing.
1891 Police Station opened at Illamurta. Mounted Constable Willshire tried (acquitted) on charges of murdering Aboriginals while at Boggy Hole.
1894 Police Station opened at Gordon Creek (Victoria River Downs).
1898 April: Police Station opened at Timber Creek. Gordon Creek Police Station closed.
August: Police Station opened at Brocks Creek.
1902 Inspector Foelsche retired. Inspector N Waters appointed.
1903 October: Police Station at Camooweal closed: no longer needed to control border crossings after Federation in 1901.
1911 1 st January: Northern Territory transferred to Commonwealth responsibility.
Strength of Police Force as at l st December 1911 was 1 Inspector, l Sergeant,
2 Senior Constables, 20 Constables and 24 native Constables. Stations existed at Darwin, Alice Springs, Arltunga, Anthony Lagoon, Borroloola, Brocks Creek, Horseshoe Creek, Illamurta, Katherine, Pine Creek, Powells Creek, Rankine River, Roper River, Timber Creek. Inspector of Police in Darwin assumed control over Police Stations at Alice Springs, Arltunga and Illamurta previously controlled by Inspector of Police at Port Augusta. Police salary pay increases approved to provide for 9/- per day for 1st Constables.
New Police Station opened at Rankine River.
Martini Henry Carbines issued in 1881 almost worn out. Winchester 44 calibre repeater recommended.
1912 "The trouble with natives killing cattle still continues principally in the Victoria River District and sending the offenders to goal does not appear to have any deterring effect". (Inspector Waters).
Police Stations built at Rankine River, Horseshoe Creek, Alice Well and Arltunga.
May: Constable at Illamurta moved to the Alice Well and Illamurta Station closed.
All officers who had transferred to the Northern Territory force from South Australia applied to retransfer to South Australia at the expiry of their 5 year service except Inspector Waters, Sergeant Burt, Senior Constables Stott and Dempsey and Constables Dowdy and Mackay.
1913 Telephone installed at Alice Well Police Station.
Police Station at Roper River blown down. Replaced by angle iron building of two rooms with verandahs at front and back.
New two roomed angle iron building erected at Anthony Lagoon. Police
Stations at Alice Springs, Alice Well, Horseshoe Creek, Pine Creek and
Brock's Creek improved. Stone lockup built at Arltunga.
2 Constables from Midnight Creek Police Camp removed to Bow Hills (Wave Hill area).
Police buildings at Katherine damaged by floods.
Police officers appointed Protectors of Aboriginals ex officio - move designed
particularly to check abduction of Aboriginal women by white men - a practice which frequently led to violent reprisals.
Discontent in Police force that travel allowance not paid - other public
servants received 10/- per day.
1914-15 Implementation of policy of removal of part-aboriginal children from Aboriginal mothers where possible. Such children placed in compounds at Kahlin (Darwin) and "The Bungalow" (Alice Springs).
Track cleared from Pine Creek to Maranboy Tin field.
Cattle killing continued by Aboriginals in Roper, Borroloola, and Victoria River Police districts.
"Slum clearance" of Darwin Chinatown undertaken. Some Chinese repatriated. Some resettled at Stuart Park. Venereal diseases among railway workers causing serious public health problem in Pine Creek area.
1924 Major CV Dudley assumed office as Commissioner.
1927 Office of Commissioner again vested in Administrator.
1926-27 Police barracks under construction in Darwin. Police stations under construction at Katherine and Newcastle Waters.
6 Police officers transferred to Central Australian administration.
1927-28 Constable AR Clapp accidentally fatally shot near Katherine.
Position of Commissioner of Police abolished.
Police camp established at Mataranka. Police Station at Batchelor closed.
1928 Dingo trapper Fred Brooks killed by Aboriginals near Coniston (North West of Alice Springs). Constable WG Murray of Barrow Creek and party shot at
least 31 Aboriginals during investigations into Brook's killing. In January 1929 a Government appointed Commission of Enquiry found that the shootings were justified.
1929 Rural venereal disease treatment depots established at outlying Police Stations, the Officers-in-charge receiving from the chief medial officer the necessary drugs and instructions for their use.
1930 Increased Police activity to suppress trafficking in opium and liquor among Aboriginals.
291 Police horses on strength.