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The Palm Island Tragedy occurred in 1930 on Palm Island aborigines settlement on Great Palm Island in Queensland, Australia, when the settlement's Superintendent shot and wounded two people, and set fire to several buildings, killing his two children. Later in the day, the Superintendent was shot dead. An official inquiry by the Queensland Attorney General followed. Those involved in the shooting death were charged with murder, but during the trial, under the advice of the trial judge, the Crown Prosecutor dropped the charges. == Background == The Superintendent of the settlement was Robert Henry Curry; he had been the Superintendent of Palm Island since the settlement was moved from Hull River twelve years earlier.〔 〕 His wife died during childbirth in November 1929. The Medical Officer at the settlement was Dr. C. Maitland Pattison. According to the biography, "By December () Curry was grief-stricken, fearful of losing his position, drinking heavily and withdrawing from novocaine—Pattison's treatment for 'neuralgia of the cranial nerve'."〔 During the 1920s, rivalries, bitterness and escalating feuds appear to have developed between the white officials on Palm Island.〔The Mercury, Hobart, 13 February 1930, p.5 * A documented assault on a clerk (Tedman) by Curry in 1919;〔Watson, J, 1994 ''Op.Cit'', p.117〕 * An alleged threat to torch the residence if removed, made by Curry to Gall in 1925;〔 * At least two alleged assaults on Ballard by Curry in the mid-1920s;〔Watson, J, 1994 ''Op.Cit'', pp.117-118〕 * A drunken altercation between Curry and Gall in Lowthes Hotel (South-Townsville) in 1927;〔Watson, J, 1994, ''Op.Cit'', pp.118-119〕 * At least two assaults on Dr Pattinson by Curry in 1928;〔Watson, J, 1994 ''Op.Cit'', p.119〕 * A documented assault on Dr Pattinson by Mrs Ballard in 1929, in response to verbal attack on Mr & Mrs Ballard by Dr Pattinson;〔Watson, J, 1994 ''Op.Cit'', p.119-120〕 and * A serious altercation between Curry and Dr Pattinson on Christmas Day 1929 (with allegation that issue was caused by supply of alcohol by Dr Pattinson to Aboriginal Nurse and patient);〔Watson, J, 1994, ''Op.Cit'', p.120〕 Then there were the numerous allegations of other categories of serious impropriety, including: * Theft of takings from Football, allegation made by Curry against Hoffman (substantiated and repayment made);〔 * The 'Flogging' of an adult Aboriginal woman, René Harvey, by Curry, substantiated by Cameron SM, Curry advised by Under-Secretary Gall on 18 April 1929;〔Watson, J, 1994, ''Op.Cit'', pp.104-105〕 and * Allegations serious sexual impropriety by Curry, by unnamed parties amongst both the white officials and Aboriginal residents;〔Watson, J, 1994, ''Op.Cit'', pp.123-124〕 The report by Justice Nevitt regarding the administration of the Palm Island settlement, found that despite excessive drinking, bickering between Curry and Pattison, and the provision of alcohol to residents, that the management of the settlement was entirely adequate and acceptable.〔 In releasing the Nevitt Report (after the tragedy), Queensland Premier Moore said that he was informed by his Home Department that the discipline at Palm Island had been good and management effective.〔〔"Palm Island Affair: Mr Nevitt's Report – Charges Against Curry Not Supported", ''Townsville Daily Bulletin'', 8 February 1930 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「1930 Palm Island tragedy」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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