Page:The Present State and Prospects of the Port Phillip District of New South Wales.djvu/208

 satisfy their immense appetites, they frequently made forays upon the flocks and herds of the neighbouring settlers; and, in fact, this neighbourhood became the scene of greater outrage than any other part of the country, the tendency being (in the words of the governor) to "increase the irritation already existing between the two races." This assistant-protector was dismissed, and his place has not been filled up since. The other protectors express themselves in desponding terms as to their success, although I have heard that their establishments were better conducted.

I cannot here resist the temptation of volunteering a little more legislation. In the first place, I think that the endeavour to civilize the natives, ought to be made in a way quite different from that hitherto attempted. Instead of collecting together the wild tribes, I would bring together a few of the most enlightened individuals of the most civilized tribes, with their families—men who had seen and could partially appreciate the comforts of civilized life. I would endeavour, under the direction of a good overseer, to make them useful in building huts for themselves, also in growing com and potatoes, and such other employments. I would not force them to live in these huts if they did not like it; but they would soon find the advantage of doing so in cold and wet weather, and they should be made always to take their meals there, and to keep them clean. They should be fed well if they worked, and any that were idle or dis-