[COLLINS, Robert Martin]. PERRY, Harry C.

Pioneering. The Life & Work of the Hon. R.M. Collins MLC [typescript with manuscript corrections and addenda]

[Brisbane, The Author, 1923].

Quarto, [vi], [289] leaves of duplicate typescript (numbered 282), with text on the rectos only. The pagination skips numbers 23, 121, 155 and 217-9 (without apparent breaks in the text), but bound in there are also 13 additional full leaves (variously numbered '43a', '131½' etc.), together with three slips with additional text.

Half roan and cloth, lettered in gilt on the spine; covers flecked and a little worn; front joint splitting but sound; paper generally tanned and slightly brittle, with occasional tiny chips and short tears at the edges; in good condition.

The original duplicate typescript, with the author's corrections, for this biography of Queensland pastoralist, explorer and parliamentarian Robert Martin Collins (1843-1913), who was also one of the founders of the Queensland National Parks system. The title page is signed by the author, and almost every subsequent page includes corrections in his hand, often correcting minor errors in the typescript, but occasionally adding or crossing out lengthier passages. The biography was published in 1923 by Watson, Ferguson & Co.

The work contains extended extracts from Collins' journals and letters. In recounting his life on Mundoolun station (near Logan) and his expeditions to explore grazing land in the west of Queensland, the author mentions interactions with the local Aboriginal people with some regularity. Frontier violence is noted, but he emphasises that relations were generally good, stating that Collins was singularly disinclined to 'punish' raids on his flocks. He also attempted to restrain the punitive instincts of his employees, one of whom, William Fraser, had lost his family in the 1857 Hornet Bank massacre. Other subjects of interest include the spread of invasive species (prickly pear and rabbits), natural events, bushrangers, and colonial politics.

Item #146468

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