The restless and improvident character of the aboriginal has been
greatly to his disadvantage since the settlement of the country. In-
capable, save in a few instances, of benefiting by the opportunities of
civilisation, excepting to his own detriment, he rapidly falls a prey to
drink, and dies out in a Tery short time after making the acquaint-
ance of his white brother. The attempts, then, that have been
made, by public legislation and private charity, to preserve the race
and better their condition, may be looked upon as being successful
only in a few isolated cases, affording no practical check to their
rapid extinction.
Since the early days of settlement, the custom of an annual dis-
* The Library of the Boyal Colonial Institute contains two remarkable
specimens of cave drawings by William Westall, the artist who accompanied
Flinders in H.M.S. " Investigator " in the beginning of the present centurj-.
One from Cavern Island, in the Gulf of Carpentaria, represents turtles, sword-
fish, etc. ; and the other, from Memory Cove at the entrance of Spencer's Gulf
—nearly 2,000 miles distant— depicts grotesque human figures, a kangaroo, ani
impreB&ioxui of an outspread hand.— J. S» O'H., Editor.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
The Aiorigines of Australia. 6$
tribution of blankets on the Queen's birthday has been kept up in
several places : and for a long time nothing more was done on their
behalf. Between twenty and thirty years ago, ti*act8 of land began
to be reserved for the use of the aboriginals, and latterly the various
Austrahan colonies have become more sensible of thek obligations
to the decUning race. In New South Wales, a Board for the Pro-
tection of the Aborigines was appointed, June, 1888, and, in con-
junction with a private society called the " New South Wales
Aborigines' Protection Association," has since been earacstly work-
ing to ameUorate their condition.
The future of the Australian aboriginal appears both gloomy and
discom'aging. Wherever the returns are available from authentic
sources, a steady decrease is observable, as well as a disproiwrtion
of buiihs to deaths. Whatever may have been the status of his
ancestors, the aboriginal cannot now aid in forming a nation. In
his old days of freedom his fecimdity was sufficient to people the
continent— sparsely, indeed ; but still no district, however barren,
was left unvisited by some wandering tribe. Even an indulgence
in cannibalism did not check his early development. But contact
with a superior race has been fatal, and he >vill soon become only a
name. In referring to the origin of the Australian, it has been urged
that the practice of cannibalism, very common in Northern Australia,
is a relic of the necessity of his ancestors. The first visitors to the
uninhabited land would only arrive by accident, after a long and
dreadful voyage in an unseaworthy craft. The few survivors who
landed would probably have sustained Ufe on the bodies of their
companions, and the necessity for this might arise often in their
new home until it grew into a custom. As it is common amongst the
myriad islands of Polynesia, and as they were probably all peopled
by castaways, it is feasible that we should look there for the pro-
genitors of the native of New Holland. His struggle for existence
must have been always a hard one, and it is likely soon to terminate.
His stone tomahawk and flint spear-head will, in all probabiUty,
during the next century, be valuable as scarce relics.
The present condition of the aborigines, so far as it can bo
ascertamed, in each of tlio Australian Colonies, may be thus
summarised : —
New Soutu Wales.
In this Colony the disappearance of the native tribes is naturally
tnore marked and widespread than in Queensland, South Australia, or
Western Australia ; but in the far western districts there are a large
• n3
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
Bd The Aborigines of Amirnlia.
number still living by bunting and fishing. The habits of these' ab-
origines in their original state has been so often described that it is
almost needless to enter here into a detailed description. Their skill
in the management of their rude weapons has often been a source of
wonder to travellers, and their knack in throwing that unique Austra-
han weapon, the boomerang, particularly extolled. Their expertness
in the manufacture of nets and the plaiting of grass bags is also
remarkable ; but these arts they quickly allow to tsM into disuse on
contact with whites, and the younger generation has lost much of
the savage skill of its fathers.
Some writers have attempted to deduce a rude mythology from
the traditions of the blacks, but no special success has hitherto been
the result.
In 1848 a German mission station was formed at Moreton Bay.
As this was before the separation of Queensland from New South
Wales, this first effort of missionary enterprise belongs to the history
of the latter Colony. Leichhardt, the explorer, visited the station,
and was much impressed by the quiet, earnest lives of the
missionaries, and the friendly intercourse they maintained with
the blacks. He did not, however, anticipate much widespread good
to result from their work, but thought that the good example set
by these men would impress the natives and bring about a better
spirit between the white and black races. The station was, however,
but poorly supported by funds, and became abandoned, although
the name was long retained in the district. The work done by the
Aborigines' Protection Board in Sydney consists principally in
seeing to the proper distribution of the funds annually voted by the
Government for the rehef of the destitute and aged amongst the
natives, and the supervision of the lands reserved for their use,
several of which latter date as far back as 1875. At some of these
reserves on the coast the natives are supplied with boats, and they
maintain themselves by fishing. At the inland stations they are
enticed to attempt agriculture by the gift of tools for fencing and
cultivating ; but in a few individual cases only has this been
successful. The reserves comprise an area of 2d,804| acres, and
instructions are given to the police, who are also Crown lands
bailiffs, to ensure the aborigines unmolested occupancy of the land.
The areas reserved for the use of the aborigines are as follows : —
County Dampier, Bodella 176f acres, Congo 82 acres, Moruya 24}
acres, Wagonga 250 acres ; county St. Vincent, Bateman 40 acres,
Croobyar 5 acres, Mongarlowe 148f acres, Woolumboola 700 acres ;
county Auckland, Wallangoot 100 acres; county Westmoreland,
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
The Aboriginei of Australia, 87
The Peaks 400 acres, Wingeoarribbee 99| acres ; cotmty Durham,
Darlington 280 acres ; county Buccleugh, Bmngle77 acres ; county
Gloucester, Fitzroy 60 acres; county Cook, Meehan's 180 acres;
county Forbes, Mulyan 82^ acres ; county Macquarie, Macquarie
18 acres, Arakoon 215 acres, Gaimcross 80 acres, Gogo 87 acres,
Keilawarra 122 acres, Kinchlea 15^ acres; county Baleigh,
Nambucca 70 acres, Bowra 20 acres; county Narran, Gato 5,240
acres ; county Baradine, Merritombea 100 acres ; county Wellington,
Jonnabidgee 24 acres ; county White, Gooma 5,200 acres ; county
Ashbumham, Ganomodine 40 acres, Eugowra 80 acres; county
Vernon, Walcha 820 acres ; county Gooper, Grong Grong
810 acres ; county King, Blakney 820 acres, Apton 80 acres, Yass 5
acres; county Boyd, Naddi 1,981 acres; county Gaddell, Bama
1,890 acres ; county Bous, Ballina 28 acres, Blakebrook 89^ acres,
Byron 40 acres, Toonumbar and Babyl 8,000 acres ; county
Richmond, South Gasino 90^ acres ; county Gourallie, Moree 52^
acres; county Fitzroy, Jardine 150 acres, Moonee 114 acres;
county Glarence, Ashby 85 acres, Eaton 150 acres, EUand 120 acres,
Great Marlowe 80 acres ; Manegai 100 acres, Yaamba 180 acres ;
county of Drake, Gangai 160 acres ; county of Dudley, Kullatine 800
acres. Nulla Nulla 65 acres. Several of these areas are subdivided,
making a total of 70 reserves for the use of the aborigines, the New
South Wales Government preferring to have these areas scattered
over the colony instead of being concentrated in a few places.
The wandering habits of the blacks in the remote districts, and
the £Act that the border tribes often cross into the other Golonies,
render it an impossibility to obtain anything Uke a correct census
return of the aboriginal population. Li the following return half-
castes are numbered as aborigines, when hving amongst them in
iheir camps. The estimated number of aborigines in New South
Wales on October 14, 1889, was 7,529 ; of whom 4,652 were full-
blood, and 2,877 were half-castes. Of this number, 1,509, chiefly
sick, aged, and infirm, the remainder being children, have been fed
and clothed at the public cost ; and 265 have been maintained at
the various mission stations, leaving 5,755 obtaining a living in
their own way.
The money expended by the Board in 1889 amounted to
£9,216 16s. which included an expenditure of £2fl&S 4s. Sd. on
the mission stations of Brewarrina, Warangesda, and Gumeroogunga
(Maloga). The money is shown by the annual report to have been
principally laid out in rations, clothing, boats, farming implements,
paintt i^ets, lines, and seed^ This must all nean a good deal of
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
88 Tlie Aborigines of Australia.
iisoful work awongRt tho natives. The mission fltations of Cum-
eroogunga (Maloga), Brewarrina, and Warangesda, on the Mnrray
River, are supported by private contribution, supplemented by a
Government grant, which passes through the hands of the Aborigines'
Protection Board.
The average population on Cnmeroogunga (Maloga) at the
beginning of 1890 was 134— viz., 88 blacks and 96 half-castes. Tho
area of land under cultivation is 100 acres, the produce of wheat,
barley, and hay being valued at about £220 per annum. An applo
orchard has been formed, and 400 acres of land ringbarked. Tho
buildings consist of sixteen houses for the use of tho blacks, a
meeting-house, with donnitories attached, a hospital containing six
rooms, store, workshop, oflRce, &c. The Department of Public
Instruction has built a schoolroom, and a teacher's residence is
attached to the Mission.
At Warangesda, there are about 30 acres under cultivation, and
70 additional acres were to be put under crop in 1890-91. The
produce of the 80 acres in 1889-90, principally hay, realised £240,
there being a good market a few miles distant. The average
monthly population is about 59 ; 22 being full blood and 87 half •
castes. There are thirteen cottages on the station, a good-sized
church, a public school, and a teacher's residence. Some of the
girls have been sent to service, and have given satisfaction.
At Brewarrina (where there is a series of stone weirs for capturing
fish in the River Darling, the only known public work constructed
by tho Australian aborigines) a mission station was formed in 1887,
with superintendent's house, huts for aborigines, and school-house.
The reserve of 6,000 acres granted by the Government has been
stocked witli sheep ; the wool, Ac, going to the support of the
station. About 30 acres have been enclosed with a sheep-proof fence,
and of this about 10 acres have been ploughed and planted with
vegetables. Another area, of 12 acres, has also been fenced off and
cleared for cultivation.
Religious instruction naturally forms the chief feature on these
mission stations, although others are by no means neglected in their
education ; such as the use of fencing tools, the care of stock, and
the domestic duties of women.
South Australia.
Taken in conjunction with the Northern Territory, this Colony
possesses a more diversified race of native inhabitants than any of
the- other ColonieOi with the eiception of Western AuotraUf^, the ab-
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
The Aborigines of Avstralia^ 89
onginesof ike northern coast differing in many striking customs from
those on the south. Ostensibly the laws relating to the intercourse
between the whites and the blacks are framed to secure the protec-
tion of the latter with more stringency than has been done in the
other Colonies, but experience has not shown the result to have been
more successful. The power of superior strength and knowledge
has been exercised as frequently in the outside districts of the
central and northern parts of the Colony as elsewhere, and with a
like fate for the blacks. The coastal tribes of the Northern Territory
have long had intermittent intercourse with the Malays, who, for
centuries, have been in the habit of sending fleets of proas into
Australian waters to gather trepang. Hence they had a primitive
knowledge, peculiar only to this part of the continent, of smoking
through a bamboo, an extended knowledge of canoe-building, and
numerous peculiar rites and habits common to Asiatic natives. In
person they are tall, slender, and better-looking than are the
southern natives. In the centre of the continent native tribes are
to be foimd ignorant of the art of swimming, although they have
been known to cross flooded creeks when pushed, and to accomplish
the feat safely. Amongst the natives a singular custom exists of
forbidding the gins the use of speech after marriage. Once
married, they are restrained to the use of signs only, and, strange to
say, the rule is strictly observed. Farther south, the blacks of the
Cooper's Creek country make the nearest approach to permanent
villages that is to be found in Australia. On the leeward side of
the sand-hills common to that region, they build clusters of
substantial mud hovels, to which they return periodically. Sturt,
who first penetrated this district, speaks well of the natives he saw.
He says : — ** The men of this tribe were, without exception, the
finest of any I had seen on the Australian continent. Their bodies
were not disfigured by any scars, neither were their countenances
by the loss of teeth, nor were they circumcised. They were a well-
made race, and stood as erect as it was possible to do. Of sixty-
nine whom I counted round me at one time, I do not think there
was one under my own height, 5 feet lOf inches, but there were
several upwards of 6 feet."
Mr. J. L. Parsons, late Government Eesident in the Northern
Territory, expressed his conviction that the aborigines regard the
presence of the white man in that part of Australia as an act of
hostility, and if a war of extermination is not to be forced upon the
settlers, reser\^es must be declared, of which, the aborigines should
Jiave the sole ooatrd.
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
40 The Aboiighies of Australia.
The natives of the far south have, of coursei greatly decreased,
and in their earher state resembled, in habit and appearance, the
natives of similar latitudes in New South Wales and Victoria. At
the foundation of the Oolony, in 1886, the aboriginal population was
estimated at 12,000, not including the Northern Territory, but it was
only a very rough guess. By the last official census, in 1881, their
numbers were 5,628 — ^viz., 8,198 males and 2,480 females. These were
classed— Adult, healthy, 8,777 ; sick and infirm, 959 ; children, 892.
In the same year, the return from the Northern Territory was given
as 718, but this, of course only touched the few places of settlement
there.
The disparity in the numbers of the sexes, the small proportion
of children to the total population, and the prevalence of dise^e,
point here, as elsewhere, to the gradual extinction of the race.
There is a special department for the protection of the aborigines,
and the annual vote for their relief amounts to about £5,000. The
disbursement of this rests with two Protectors, one for the southern,
the other for the northern portion of the Colony, who have also the
control and supervision of the depdts for the distribution of rations,
clothing, and medical comforts. These depdts are fifty in number,
and are found to work well in promoting friendly relations between
the settlers and the natives. The Protector is assisted in the far
north by a sub-Protector.
Five special reserves have been set apart for the use of the ab*
origines, containing in all 670,000 acres : these reserves are situated at
Point McLeay, on Lake Alexandrina ; Poonindie, near Port Lincoln ;
Point Pierce, on Yorke's Peninsula ; Eopperamanna, near Lake Hope,
in the for north ; and Hermansburgh, on the Finke river, Central
Australia, where missionary institutions have existed for several
years past, mainly supported by voluntary contributions and the
proceeds of produce raised by native labour from land, stock, &c.
On these stations about 500 aborigines are instructed, oared for,
and usefully employed, including about 150 children, who are fed,
dothed, and educated in the mission schools. Two of the stations —
Poonindie and Point Pierce — have been entirely self-supporting for
several years past.
The returns from these institutions for 1889 show: — Total
voluntary contributions received, £1,079 55. lid. ; amount of pro-
ceeds of produce raised, £7,221 17^. Id. ; amount of wages paid to
aborigines, £1,819 15s. Id. ; estimated value of all stock, produce^
buildings, &c., on the station, £40,645 16^. lOd.
^s illustrating the effe<?ts of more comfortable and healthy mod^
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
The A bongines of Australia. 41
of living, it may be mentioned that at Point MoLeay, the aboriginal
births during the last three years were 80 against 19 deaths.
Daring the years 1881-9 there have been recorded, as fiar as
practicable, among the total known aboriginal population, 462 births
and 646 deaths, being a total decrease of 184 during the nine years.
In the Northern Territory the Protector is resident at Port Dar-
win. About 94 miles from Palmerston, at Bapid Creek, there is a
small mission station conducted by a number of devoted Catholic
priests, on which some good results have been obtained.
TASIfANIA.
The history of the aborigines of this island is summed up in the
one word " extinction." From the outset the conflicts between the
settlers and the natives were constant and desperate. At last the
Government took steps to secure the survivors, who were trans*
ported to Flinders' Island in Bass's Straits. In 1885 they numbered
210. In 1842 there were only 54, and some few years back an old
gin, the sole survivor of the race, died.
Queensland.
The natives of this Colony are numerous in the central, northern,
and western districts, but in the old settled southern portion they
are in many places no longer to be found. On the coast district
immediately north of Moreton Bay they are very numerous. About
here they are splendid swimmers and divers, but much degraded by
drink. All through the coast districts northward as far as Cape
York, the blacks were noted for their hostility to the whites during
the days of early settlement, but the decrease of their race has com-
menced, and the scenes of strife are now only to be found on the
extreme boundaries of the north and west.
Missionary effort or protective legislation on behalf of the
aborigines has not been so conspicuous in Queensland as in some
of the sister Colonies. The institution and maintenance of the
Native Police Force often excited much hostile criticism. This
force was composed of recruits from amongst the semi-civilised
tribes, officered by white men, and despatched to the outside
districts to maintain order as far as possible. These native troopers
readily fulfilled the duty of following their more savage countrymen.
Most of them turned out notable trackers and smart riders ; but
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
42 Tha Ahnrigiiws of Australia,
although in many cases they were instrumental in avenging murders,
and at times preventing tlie commission of depredations, there is no
doubt that their employment has been marked by great brutality
and cruelty. The principal &ult alleged against them was that in
their encounters with the natives they were beyond the control of
their officers, who themselves became callous and demoralised by
the service. After many reorganisations, however, the force has
been preRer\'ed, and is still in existence. These black troopers are
armed with Snider rifles, but only a few of them are found to be
good shots.
In 1871, an enthusiastic missionary attempted to organise a station
on Frazer's Island, in Wide Bay. This gentleman, the Bev. Mr.
Fuller, lived for some time alone on the Island, but his efforts were
not well seconded, and he had to give up his trying task. He then
removed further north, to Cleveland Bay, intending to make another
attempt on Hinchinbrook Island, where he expected to have more
success, as the blacks had been less contaminated by ci\ilised vices ;
but this effort also resulted in failure.
Near Port Mackay a reserve was granted, and a number of blacks
were induced to settle on it under a Protector. It has also been
proposed to reserve other portions of land in different parts of the
Colony, but no definite action has yet been taken hi the matter, and
there is at present no organised board, nor department, for canrying
out any scheme, although the Government are favourably considering
the matt^.
Near Cooktown, at Cape Bedford, there is a mission station,
supported by private subscription. In 1881, the aboriginal popula-
tion in Queensland was estimated at 20,585 ; but this, of course, was
only conjectural, as so much of the colony was still but sparsely
settled, and the natives were still in their bush retreats.
The Bunya-Bimya tree, which grows in the Burnett district of
Queensland, bears an edible nut, that at certain seasons affords food
to large numbers of natives, who gather from all parts to the Bunya
scrub. In consequence of its value as a source of food to the natives,
the Queensland Government have declared that the tree may not
legally be cut or removed. The prohibitory clause of the Act alluded
to runs as follows : — " The cutting or removal of timber of the under-
mentioned sorts is strictly prohibited, without special permit : —
Bunya-Bunya {Arcuucaria BidwiUii), Queensland Nut {Macadaviia
termfoUa)."
Digitized by VjOOQ IC
The Aborigines of Ansiralia, 43
Victoria.
There are six minnon stations in Vietoria> and ontside of these the
Board for the Protection of Aborigines, throngh local gaardians,
supplies the wants, as far as practicable, of nmnerons aborigines who
cannot be induced to reside on the stations. Many of these live on
the River Murray, from Koondrook and Swan Hill to Ned's Comer.
Between tliese points there are several depots, where stores and
clothing can be obtained by those in need of them. The names of
the stations are :~Coranderrk, Framlingham, Lake Condah, Lake
Wellington, Lake Tyers, Lake Hindmarsh. Tlie number of ab-
origines residing on these stations is 421. During 1889, there were
2 marriages, 23 births, and 19 deaths. The dep6ts from which assist-
ance is given to aborigines not resident on the station are situated
at Melbourne, Swan Hill, Apsley, Casterton, Camperdown, Echuca,
Wangaratta, Colac, Beaufort, Koondrook, and at Wamicknabeal.
At Coranderrk hops are largely cultivated, and good crops of
potatoes and hay obtained, the average nimiber of residents being
84 ; comprising 26 men, 20 women, 20 boys, and 18 girls. These
reside in neat cottages, having well-kept flower gardens in front and
vegetable gardens at the back, the women giving considerable atten-
tion to their domestic duties. There are 11 half-castes earning
their living away from the station. Belonging to the station are
97 cows, 60 heifers, 62 steers, 20 calves, 8 working bullocks, 8
Hereford bulls, and 12 horses. The residents employ their spare
time in making and selling baskets, the proceeds of which are
devoted to the purchase of clothing and furniture. At Framling-
ham, the average number of aborigines is 96, the men being
employed chiefly in clearing land and sheep-farming, in both of
which occupations they are veiy successful. At Lake Condah
the average number of residents is 84 ; at Lake Wellington, 62 ;
Lake Tyers, 70 ; and Lake Hindmarsh, between 40 and 50. These
returns do not include half-castes, the Victorian Government ha^'ing
discontinued, at the end of 1889, the issue of rations to them, with
a \new to inculcating habits of self-reliance and inducing them to
become merged in the general population. On all the stations live-
stock are kept, and agricultural and pastoral occupations carried on
with success, showing that, under certain conditions, the aborigines