III — Policing the Frontier Inspector Paul Foelsche commanded
the Northern Territory police force for 34 years. He maintained
the rule of law in an unpredictable frontier society, and
established a reputation for great integrity. But Foelsche's
record was not unblemished… Soon after arriving at Port Darwin
during January 1870, Foelsche and his men built their own police
station. He then turned his attention to regulating the life of
the small settlement of Palmerston, as it grew from about 60 to
200 Europeans during the next four years. Following the
discovery of gold during 1872, an increasing number of Chinese
miners and labourers arrived in Port Darwin. Foelsche found
himself faced with new problems, including opium use and
'gambling dens'. At first Foelsche barely intervened in
Aboriginal affairs. He understood that Aboriginal people had
their own system of justice and retribution. Exceptions were in
cases of violence against Europeans, theft or public
drunkenness. Those problems increased as Europeans of