The capture of Emu during early 1835 greatly disturbs Rev Threlkeld because of the way it is carried out. He complains to the Colonial Secretary: “On my return from Sydney [Threlkeld had been attending the trials of those Aborigines already caught] I informed the Blacks of the punishments which had taken place, and desired them to bring in all the Aborigines who had not received blankets, without fear of apprehension, assuring them…they would not be proceeded against. On the faith of my promise the messenger brought in upwards of sixty Blacks with a number of women and children...my overseer a Man of the name of Michael Riley…pretended friendship to a lady named Emu, for whom a reward is offered, attempted to seize him, he ran, the Overseer fired at him, and severely wounded him, he then tied him in my boat, compelled him to row, and then lodged him in Newcastle Jail. – I visited him [and] requested the irons to be removed, and he was received into the Jail Hospital…I protest against the whole conduct of the Overseer…taking advantage of the confidence reposed in me by the Aborigines and thus hazarding its destruction…I this day dismissed him from my service”. (Threlkeld’s Memoranda 22 May 1835, in Blair, 2003, 33).
It is uncertain whether Emu was charged with any offence or appeared before the courts. The search goes on … (Blair, 2003, 68)