Disarmed altogether

Norman’s continued advocacy and support of the Kuku Yalanji brought him into conflict with some of the Bloomfield locals.  A Cooktown Police Constable referred to Norman’s antagonists as the ‘few identities of Bloomfield’. In 1933 an incident involving an unidentified ‘black boy’ provided the ‘identities’ with an opportunity to discredit Norman. This set about a sequence of events that would ultimately lead to the issue of a removal order for Norman.

It is alleged that on the 29th of November Norman entered the property of the postman, Ned Feinn, brandishing an unloaded shotgun whilst yelling ‘I’m going to shoot the black bastard’. The ‘black boy’, who worked for Ned, was hidden in the house by Ned’s wife Sarah, and before long Norman, having vented off his steam, left the property and returned to his own home across the river. Both Ned and Sarah followed Norman to discuss the incident and at the same time deliver Norman’s mail. Norman apologised for frightening them. Sarah reassured him by saying; ‘That’s all right Norman, it is finished.’

For Ned and Sarah it may have been finished but someone reported the matter to the Cooktown Police. On the 8th December Sergeant Christie and a local tracker mustered their horses and patrolled to Bloomfield to investigate. They interviewed Ned, Sarah, and Sarah’s mother, obtaining statements from each. Christie also interviewed Norman who explained he had ‘lost his head’ and only intended to frighten the man so he would stay away from his house. Christie reported that Norman clearly had no intention of shooting anyone and that he was very apologetic, promising it wouldn’t happen again.

Despite his comments, Christie decided to take the matter further. He discussed the matter with the Post Master who suggested Norman should be charged for ‘going armed in public’. A provision under The Act allowed for any ‘Aboriginal or half-caste’ who is convicted of an offence to be removed. This idea was dismissed as the witnesses would have to be brought to Cooktown on the boat, a very costly exercise.

Sergeant Christie suggested that ‘sufficient punishment’ could be inflicted upon Norman by reporting him to the Chief Protector. A cheaper option would be to cancel Norman’s exemption, have him ‘disarmed altogether’ and remove him from the Bloomfield district once and for all.