Ningi Ningi Ambush Native Police

Date: 15 Apr 1858
Place: Pine River

300 'Ningi Ningi' Aboriginal people (possibly Buyibara or Yugarabul) ambushed a Native Police patrol under the command of Lt. Williams at the headwaters of the Pine River, north west of Brisbane and killed an officer. The Native Police retaliated, killing at least five before the warriors could retreat. The Native Police destroyed the warriors camp and 40 rosewood spears.

People involved

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Sources

  • Wickham to Col Sec, April 21, 1858, 1/no.58/1492, QSA, Col.Sec: Letters received re Moreton Bay 1858, A2/39; <i>MBC</i>, April 24, 1858 - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/543482; Connors 2015: 83; Queensland. Parliament. Legislative Assembly. Select Committee on Native Police Force and the Condition of the Aborigines Generally. (1861). Report from the Select Committee on the Native Police Force and the Condition of the Aborigines Generally together with the proceedings of the Committee and minutes of evidence Retrieved November 18, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52862431

Event mentions

  • Ningi Ningi Ambush Native Police
    15 Apr 1858 — Pine River

    300 'Ningi Ningi' Aboriginal people (possibly Buyibara or Yugarabul) ambushed a Native Police patrol under the command of Lt. Williams at the headwaters of the Pine River, north west of Brisbane and killed an officer. The Native Police retaliated, killing at least five before the warriors could retreat. The Native Police destroyed the warriors camp and 40 rosewood spears.

    Source:

    Wickham to Col Sec, April 21, 1858, 1/no.58/1492, QSA, Col.Sec: Letters received re Moreton Bay 1858, A2/39; <i>MBC</i>, April 24, 1858 - https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/543482; Connors 2015: 83; Queensland. Parliament. Legislative Assembly. Select Committee on Native Police Force and the Condition of the Aborigines Generally. (1861). Report from the Select Committee on the Native Police Force and the Condition of the Aborigines Generally together with the proceedings of the Committee and minutes of evidence Retrieved November 18, 2025, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-52862431