ITM846731 Colonial Secretary's Inwards Correspondence - 1860

Queensland State Archives Colonial Secretary's Office Inwards Correspondence 01 Jan 1860 - 31 Dec 1860 S 5253 ITM846731 Dept No 024 The legibility of this item may be reduced due to the following factors: Minimal Impression Faded Ink Iron Gall ink halo and lacing Dicoloured paper Torn or creased pages

Digitised at Queensland State Archives, Brisbane, Australia

www.archives.qld.gov.au Queensland Government

((Note in red across top of let partly obscuring same, as follows: "7th January 1860. 60.24 R.B. Sheriday Repair of buoys and beacons on the Mary River.")) Harbour Masters Dept Maryborough 2nd January 1860 Sir, I do myself the honor to inform you, that I arrived here on Saturday night last, The "Spitfire" having made the passage from Cape Moreton to Wide Bay, in seven hours, and at the same time proved herself an excellent sea boat, as there was a strong gale blowing, and a heavy sea on the Bar over which we passed without shipping a drop of water. On our way through the Bay, and up the Mary River we took particular notice of thie various Buoys, and Beacons, all seemed well laid down, with regard to indicating the channel, but we could not help remarking that the Buoys appeared badly in want of being cleaned, and painted ((Left hand note bottom of page appears to be the addressee: "The Hon The Coll. Secretary Queensland"))

painted, and the Veacons evidently in an equally bad condition. Immediately on my arrival in Maryboro my attention was called to the state of the Buoys and, (and as the report I received, fully verified my observations, I deem it my duty to (?) bring the matter under the notice of the Gov't and at the same time to suggest what seems to me the only quick and efficacious way in which the Bouoys can be cleaned, and painted, and thus saved from sinking, which they inevitably will, if allowed to remaing in these present conditions much longer. The plan I beg leave to propose is that the "Spitfire" may return here as soon as possible, that she be fitted out for a fortnight, and ((marginal note written sideways partly obscuring letter : "Submit to Council - I think immediate measures shd be taken Jan 7/60 (?GSB?)" ))

take with her a supply of paint, oil & & as per inclosed list. I have no boat here at present, and even if I had, an ordinary row boat would not be sufficient to lift some of the moorings which are very heavy. My attention has also been attracted to the public Wharf at Maryboro: which altho only about eighteen months erected (at a cost of £ 500) seemed to me to be suffering from the "Teredo Navalis", I had it examined, and I beg to call your notice to the accompanying piece of the wood which will show that my suspicions were not groundless. The Wharf also requires immediate assistance otherwise it is sure to be entirely lost. There is one other article of Government property which requires looking after, namely

namely a new and apparently valuable Punt, I am informed that it has been built about four months, that it cost about £ 200, owing as I am told to some dispute among the people here, the Punt has never been used and it now lays on the River bank all cracked with the sun, and will soon tumble to piece's if not repaired, and made use of. I have been told by (?Mr.?) (?) who proceeds to Brisbane in the Spitfire, that a sum of £ 380, that being the Balance of £ 1000 noted by the N.S. Govt for the Buoys, the Wharf, and the Punt alluded to, remained still unspent in the Joint Stock Bank. If so, and, that it could be made available, I am of opinion ti would go a long way towards making all the repairs to which I have had the honor to call your attention. I have the honor to be Sir your bbt Servant RB Sheridan