VPRS 9 Outward Letter Book [H.F. Gisborne, Commissioner of Crown Lands 1839-1840]; Letter and Report Book [Gisborne Police Station, 1853-1857]

Full description

The book contains copies of letters written by H.F. Gisborne Commissioner of Crown Lands. All but two of the letters are addressed to Charles La Trobe, the Superintendent of Port Phillip District. The other two letters are addressed to the Colonial Secretary in Sydney and to the Keeper of the Colonial Store.

The letters relate to the duties performed by Gisborne and cover topics such as supplies, expenses, administration of the Border Police, relations with the Mounted Police, establishment of Headquarters, investigations of squatting or timber cutting without licence, investigation of attacks by aborigines including a detailed account of the arrest and subsequent escape of Jackie Jacline. The most substantial letter deals with Gisborne's journey to Portland Bay. The letter was written to accompany a detailed itinerary. He reports on the route taken; gives a description of the country and its potential, discusses the suitability of developing a town at Portland Bay, comments on relations between settlers and aborigines and reports the collection of licence fees on behalf of the sub-collector of Melbourne.

These letters are contained in the first half of the volume. The second half of the book forms another series, being a miscellany of letters and reports relating to Gisborne Police Station.