I visited these stations; and the proprietors assured me the natives had never done them any injury; the natives also spoke in high terms of these parties.
There are other settlers also who have rendered assistance in improving the condition of the natives, and to whom I shall advert in my next report.
"Whether the proprietors of these establishments devote more attention, or whether their white servants are of less nefarious character than others, I am not prepared to say; but the facts I have stated are incontrovertible, and are sufficient to shew the reclaimability of the natives, when proper persons are engaged, and suitable means had recourse to.

I cannot but accede to the proposition, namely, that of holding out inducements to all who engage in the amelioration of the aboriginal natives.

Those who have had experience, who have been tried and found useful, ought to have such inducements held out to them as would ensure a continuance of their appointments, the more especially as it has always been found difficult to obtain suitable persons for this hazardous and peculiar service." The following extract from another letter, also addressed to his Honour the Superintendent, shews the opinions and feelings of the writer, a Magistrate of the Colony, and a Commissioner of Crown Lands, in the Geelong district.
"In offering my candid opinion, I submissively beg leave to state, that for the last three years, on all occasions, I have been a friend to the natives; but from my general knowledge of their habits of idleness, extreme cunning, vice, and villany, that it is out of the power of all exertion that can be bestowed on them to do good by them; and I further beg leave to state, that I can plainly see the general conduct of the native growing worse, and, if possible, more useless, and daily more daring.

One and all appear to consider that no punishment awaits them.
This idea has latterly been instilled into their minds with, I should think, considerable pains, and also that the white men should be punished for the least offence.
"In reply to the latter part of your letter, I beg leave to bring to your notice that, at considerable risk, two years ago, I apprehended a native for the murder of one of Mr.Learmonth's men, near Bunengang.

He was committed to Sydney gaol, and at the expiration of a year he was returned to Melbourne to be liberated, and is now at large.