Section 12 of Letters from Victorian Pioneers. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Letters from Victorian Pioneers. Letter number 12 from John Hepburn. Smeaton Hill, 10th August 1853. Sir, in accordance with Your Excellency's circular, I have used my poor endeavours to furnish Your Excellency with such information as I possess, which I am sorry to say is very limited. With respect to the Aborigines, and the settlement of this interesting country of my adoption, such information as Your Excellency requires will no doubt be supplied by man of talent and education. And I trust Your Excellency will find plenty able and willing to contribute, and from better authenticated sources than I possess. What I have written is nearly all from memory, consequently I am not to be strictly relied on, having little memorandum to refer to. I must beg Your Excellency will pardon me for introducing many of my personal affairs, as they are quite foreign to the nature of Your Excellency's requirements. But I trust that some of the ups and downs of a squatter might be of interest to some of Your Excellency's friends, and might serve for a laugh at my ignorance if no information can be extracted from my observations. I must also beg Your Excellency will favour me with plenty of latitude for my orthography, my education being a very limited one, and no improvement ever having been made, until required step by step in my profession, which I acquired by perseverance only, having no friends but those I made from my services. I have been a mere adventurer cast in the world since I was 13 years of age, for want of education my progress was slow, and the knowledge of astronomy with other sciences belonging to my profession was necessary, and for want of a good foundation I built on a very slender one. In fact I began where I ought to have left off. Under those circumstances, I trust Your Excellency will grant me the latitude required. I have the honour to be Your Excellency's most obedient servant and sincere well-wisher, John Hepburn. To His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor It may be necessary here to state my inducement to become a settler in Australia after being about 21 years at sea in all capacities from cabin boy to master. In the year 1833, on my voyage from England to Van Demensland and Sydney, I took from the former place to the latter a passenger named John Gardner, who had then been some 12 or 14 years in Van Demensland and who was determined to leave that colony and try his fortune in New South Wales as a squatter. After some weeks travelling in New South Wales, he returned to Sydney, and from the flattering description of the country in the neighbourhood of Yass and Melongolo Plains, Mr G persuaded me to invest a small sum of money and held out hopes of a good return. By this time I had formed a very high opinion of Mr G's integrity etc, which opinion I am happy to say has been fully realised and continues to this day 6th August 1853.  In the year 1835 my good ship the Alice was sold in Sydney. I was favoured by the merchants of that place with the command of a fine steamer, fine in those days, running between Sydney and the Hunter River. I then considered my fortune made, getting a much better salary than I had ever before, vis £300 a year, with other means of making money. After being in command of the steamer Cerise for a few months, I found not only the duties of the vessel but the whole duties of the board of directors fell on me and this was more than I could do, being worked completely off my feet. Mr Gardner seeing the change strongly advised me to give up this situation, which I could not do injustice to my employers who treated me in the most liberal manner. However I knocked myself up from overexertion, another master was put in until I recovered, about the first week in August 1836 and on the 29th of the same month lost the vessel, two masters then being on board, Martin and Livingston, neither of whom would take the credit of losing the Cerise on the coast between Sydney and Newcastle. Everything was lost and nothing was ensured, not even the ship. Previous to this I had joined my friend Gardner and Mr Joseph Horden in a Port Phillip speculation to take a number of cattle to that place's overland. From the time I was left on shore sick everything went wrong on the steamer and when my creditors met I paid twenty shillings and was left with seventy-two pounds to commence the world with the exception of the sum invested in the above speculation which was two hundred pounds. Mr Gardner strongly urged me to accompany the expedition to Port Phillip which I did. I had sent to England for my family when I got the command of the steamer and I saw clearly something must be done to provide for them so now I determined to leave the sea and do something on shore. Neptune having given me my discharge would have nothing more to do with me. To relate what took place in the first part of the journey would be most injurious. I tumbled twice off my horse in the first eight miles very much to the amusement of my fellow travellers who had all the sport at my expense. In the months of October 1836 the party met at Howe's station on the Murrumbidgee by appointment Mr Horden having mustered the cattle and brought them to the above station. Howe's being the starting point some delay took place which it is not necessary to mention. I took little interest in all that was passing. Mr Howe was a squatter and kept a few sheep and a dairy station distance about 180 miles from Sydney. I saw something of the management of sheep etc while there and thought the whole very simple. I have no data beyond this point having kept no journal. We started with a cattle down the Murrumbidgee the whole river at that time on both sides was taken up as squatting stations. It must be observed that was the first expedition in which stock either of sheep or cattle started from the Sydney side. On our arrival at Gundeguy we met a part of Sir T then major Mitchell's expedition who had come direct from Portland Bay in charge of a Mr Stapleton. He gave us some useful information respecting the route. We kept down the river to Guy's station then the farthest down and of course the outside squatter. This was a cattle station with only two man residents and about a thousand head of cattle. From this station we took our departure from the river and kept nearly a south-west course. Nothing particular occurred in the journey worth notice. We reached the Murray River in about 14 days. When the major crossed the country it had been very wet but many places where we had encamped were destitute of water when we passed although the lapse of time was short. The tracks of the drays were deeply cut and ours which was moderately loaded did not make a mark. The Murray was running bank high and much discussion took place about the crossing. We first got the cattle across with a great deal of trouble tied the tarpaulin around the body of our dray after the wheels were taken off and got all safe across taking a little of the load at a time. In getting the horses over mine was drowned. This was a serious loss that could not be replaced for love or money and what was most annoying I was compelled to walk or ride on the dray when tired. We kept the major's track for the whole of the next three weeks. Black Dog Creek is named for Mr. Joss Horden shooting a black native dog there. On our arrival at the Ovens River we had the misfortune of breaking the axle of our dray which delayed us some time. Here a number of natives made their appearance and I must confess I was much surprised to see the alarm it caused among the men. Nothing but guns and pistols was in requisition and at one time I was left to fish the axle by myself. Mr. Horden followed the blacks who were very shy but one who had seen white men before allowed Mr. Horden to prevail on him to come to the camp. After a short time he made quite free. We saw nothing of the tribe afterwards. This black caught several tortoises in a swamp close to where we were encamped and corked and ate them. This man showed me how the natives procured fire by friction. This was the only instance which has come under my notice. It was very simple but required a quick action. This man continued with the party until we crossed the golden when he took his departure without ceremony. He was no use to us with the exception of assisting to lighten our stalker provisions which was not overabundant. After leaving the ovens we had much difficulty in getting across what is now called the Broken River. I named it the Portage Creeks, they being five in number where we crossed and so soft was the ground that we had to carry the whole load across on our backs to save the fished axle tree for the remainder of the journey. On our reaching the golden we saw many symptoms that induced us to think the number of natives was considerable but we never saw one. Still keeping the mage's line on a creek running into the golden we came in a very large encampment, about 70 Maya Mayas but all the natives fled on our approach leaving their fires burning etc etc. Also a specimen of their knowledge of naval architecture in the shape of a canoe about 12 feet in length cut rudely from a half round of a box tree which was bent and gave the canoe a good spring at both ends. This sheet of bark would carry four men easily. At this encampment there were some small fragments of bottle glass. This was the first sign since leaving the Marambidji of anything like a product of civilisation. After crossing the dividing range that divides the Golden River and the Kampaspi country a council was held about our route and from surveys taken from the most elevated spots a dispute arose about the route. I wanted to go round the south part of Mount Macedon and then take a more easterly course but was overruled by Horden and Gardner to shape a course across the ranges in a straight line for our destination which was dumb. After some rough travelling through the ranges we came out on the upper part of what is now Dr. Bainton's run. Here we took a day's rest admiring the beauties of this interesting spot. I was so much delighted with it that I cut my initials on a large tree and said this will be my abode at some future period. This we considered the commencement of the Port Phillip country. We then took a south east course across the Mount Macedon ranges and a very tough journey we had. After surmounting all difficulties and getting safely through the range the PP country opened to our view very much to the satisfaction of the whole party. We came on the upper branches of a creek now a deep creek east of Mount Macedon and from the top of an elevated spot discovered the bay and with the aid of my glass saw a ship at anchor. We continued our course from one eminence to another and at last saw the smoke rising as we supposed from the settlement. We here determined to take the cattle no further for the present. The next day Gardner, Horden and myself started for the settlement. The horse I rode was quite done being one of the stock horses. Horden who travelled too fast for Gardner and me left us about noon. We arrived about 4pm but Mr H having overshot the mark did not arrive till 9pm his horse being quite done up. There were only a few huts in the settlement. Buckley was the first man I saw. One hut was occupied by a Mr Batman one by Dr Thompson somewhere near where the Prince of Wales hotel now stands. The other huts were only slabs stuck in the ground forming a roof and covered with earth. One little wooden box belonging to Strachan stood where the western market is now and the old lamb inn was building but no accommodation was to be had for money. This was in December 1836. There were several horses and 15 head of cattle in the settlement. We were looked on by most of the people in the settlement at the time with great jealousy and many would not believe our report. Horden and Gardner started next day for the cattle and brought them into the settlement while I amused myself in looking out for a run for them. My first object was to get an interview with Buckley thinking I might get such information but found him what he had been represented a very stupid fellow not possessed of any knowledge of the country. Before taking leave of Buckley I may be allowed to observe that all writers on this to be a great empire have lost sight of this man who laid the foundation stone if it may be considered so of this interesting colony. Buckley built chimneys of bricks imported from Van Diemen's land for Mr. Batman. This I consider constituted the foundation of the capital of Victoria which seems to have been entirely lost sight of but nevertheless is true. A staff of government surveyors had arrived previous to our arrival with the cattle and I believe Captain Lonsdale was commandant but I do not remember having seen Captain Lonsdale. Provisions were very high during our stay and we killed a bullock one of the best of course for the good colonists to keep Christmas in good English style. The next step towards settling was making a station which was done. We crossed the Yarrow River at the only ford we could find above where Dites Mill now stands and took up the ground on the south side of the river where Mr. Pinnock's house now stands and what is known as Gardeners Creek. This was the first cattle station in Australia Felix. There were a few wretched sheep up the Moony Ponds and a few about the settlement. The farthest out stations were Mount Aitken and the Werribee. The number of sheep I suppose at that time did not exceed 4,000 in the whole country the fame of which began to attract attention both in Van Diemen's Land and Sydney. Mr. Gardiner and myself purchased Mr. Horton's share of the cattle and some six months after Mr. Gardiner purchased mine so that he became the sole owner. The station was left in charge of Mr. Hitchcock. Mr. Gardiner went to Van Diemen's Land. Horton and myself hired a boat of about 10 tonnes and took the stockman back to his brother's station on the east coast in New South Wales. On the 1st of January 1837 I landed Mr. Horton in a small canoe opposite his brother's place called Bagalia and then proceeded with the man to the small harbour of Brulee. Some days after I took this boat the hope by name into the Meru River. This was the opening up of the navigation of that river which is still continued. I shall now leave a blank in the time as my overland journey to Sydney could be of no interest beyond the first day's journey. John Horton's son John, then a little boy was to accompany his uncle and me to Sydney. We started early in the morning from Bagalia forgetting all about the tide in the river which was full tide or higher water when we came to the bank. Mr. Horton said, what is to be done? Shall we go back? Answer No, we must proceed so we both stripped off our clothes for a swim. Horton took the lead and went about the middle the horse rolled over him. He extricated himself from the horse and got hold of his head and would have drowned him only for my advice. So he and the horse both struck out for the shore and he landed safe with his clothes tied behind his neck of course well drenched. We had arranged that the little boy was to be carried over behind me on my horse. After seeing what had happened I would not attempt to cross with the boy but to our great relief one of the stockmen came down at the time and took the boy across. I was assured the horse I had was a first rate swimmer. I was stripped ready for the worst with my shirt and all my under clothes with Horton's watch and my own all stuffed into my boots and slung around my neck. So in I go. This horse had been in the habit of crossing here at low tide and as soon as he found that he would have to swim he climbed up and down reaching the ground at each plunge first with his fore and then with his hind feet and dipped me up to the neck. However I kept my seat and landed safe. We then set about drying our clothes and preparing for our journey. The Merura River was at this time the southern boundary of the colony of New South Wales. Mr John Horton at this time was a squatter and the only one between the boundary and Twofold Bay. On my arrival in Sydney I found Port Phillip was attracting much attention. And to keep up the excitement I addressed a letter to the editor of the colonist's newspaper stating the possibility of running a post. I laid down all the stages from the Murrumbidgee to the settlement with estimated distances and showing how easy it was to provide hay. Grass then was so abundant almost at any point. The governor then Sir R. Burke took up the matter. Mr Rast, tenders were issued and taken by Horton after much delay. This was however an advantage before the post was started the line of road was considerably shortened from the Galbin to Melbourne. I believed to this day the originator of the overland post was never known. About the middle of the year 1837 a perfect mania took place. The price of sheep advanced to 60 shillings per head. In consequence of this I was long before I could make final arrangements for my settling my exchequer being too low to meet the prices. However I met with another old tar and also an old colonist and re-entered into a partnership. I then proceeded to a station of his to gain information and await the arrival of my family determined to take them with me at all risks. My share, my partner putting in an equal share was 700 used at 55 shillings 1,925 pounds 25 rams, 150 pounds 100 weathers for use 100 pounds supplies, strays, bullets etc etc 575 pounds so that my debt to my partner amounted to 2,750 pounds without interest for 5 years. No man in his senses would have undertaken to pay such a debt from 700 used which was all the producing stock when the partnership terminated. Not one fraction of the debt was paid. I then saw my way a little better and made an offer to my partner either to take the whole stock and station at evaluation made by myself to take or give. My partner then sold to me not wishing to have anything more to do with sheep. I had many difficulties to sum out with such a debt for all was credit. However I paid all in time with interest so I may safely say I never fingered one shilling I could call my own for nearly 10 years but after the debt was paid I found I could not save much money for a long time. I suppose the rigid economy was relaxed and my family increased my expenses. This is quite foreign to the matter now intended and our trust will be forgiven. On the 15th January 1838 I started from Strathallam County St Vincent New South Wales with 1400 years, 50 rams 200 weathers, 2 drays 18 bullocks, 10 men all prisoners of the crown one cart and horse, one subtle horse two brood mares private property and Mr. Horton and two children. In travelling I found the greatest hospitality from the settlers. Mr. William Coghill had mustered his sheep on the Murrumbidge to accompany me to Port Phillip in the end of the month. After joining Coghill's party one of my drays broke down which caused some delay. In this delay Mr. William Bowman overtook us and arrangements were entered into for the 3 parties to keep company until all were satisfactorily settled in the new country. After leaving the last settlement on the Murrumbidge we took a route more to the eastward than my former track several parties having preceded us on this route to Cali and Hamilton. We crossed the Murray at the point where Hovel and Hume had crossed many years before and where a tree with the name of Hume still stood to mark the spot. We now were out of reach of all stations Eddon's cattle station being the last. At this point we overtook Mr. W. Hamilton who had been 8 days crossing his sheep and had suffered some small loss. Mr. Bowman had about 5,000 sheep Mr. Coghill 2,000 making with my lot in all near 9,000. From our arrangements we crossed the whole of the sheep in two and a half hours without the loss of a single sheep. We followed the track of those before us which was not difficult and in a short distance came on to the mage's line which was easily recognised at this time. My man who had the lead of the party refused to keep the advance thinking their labours were more than the others and he taught a lesson which they never forgot and they behaved well for the remainder of the journey. We reached the Golbin surveying all the fine looking country and saw many beautiful spots, very beautiful spots between the ovens and the Golbin but I was anxious to avoid what was likely to become a general road and to get within 100 miles of the settlement and no large river between. At the Golbin we met a large party of natives. Mr. David Coghill and myself being in advance came suddenly on them. In an instant about 100 spears were pointed towards us. We halted to consider what to do. We got boldly off our horses, took our guns in one hand and a bush in the other and advanced slowly towards them. The women and children fled but the men stood their ground. After a short parley in which not a word was understood on either side the natives began to lay down their spears and approached us without fear put their hands on us and felt the horses' skins. After spending about an hour amongst them my cart with Mrs. H. Hove into sight. The day being far advanced I determined to encamp on a favourable spot for that purpose. Shortly after my sheep appeared the men, my shepherds were dreadfully alarmed at first but this soon wore off. I had nets for my sheep, set them up and pitched our tent etc. I sent a man back to inform Bowman that we would come to an anchor for the night. In the evening I heard a strange noise of birds which proved to be a large flock of white parrots a bird I had not seen before in my former journey. Having my gun in my hand I fired both barrels and by good chance shot two. This occurrence gave alarm to my stable brethren all disappeared but only for a short time. They appeared in much larger numbers than we had seen before. They examined the guns with great curiosity and wanted to see me fire again which I declined. However Mr. Bowman gratified them. Next morning, March 2nd 1838 we crossed the river all safe without any molestation from the natives. Here we overtook Mr. John Harrison and Mr. Hamilton who had pushed on to get the choice of the country. We assisted these gentlemen to cross their sheep. Hamilton advanced and we took a day's rest on this beautiful spot. Before advancing any further I may now state what country was taken up and by whom. The station holders were A. mollison C. H. ebden, Captain Brown, Harrison, Cog Hill Bowman and myself. No other sheep herds crossed the Galben up to the above date. A. mollison after crossing the Galben, kept the mages line and took up the collar bell afterwards sold to Mr. Orr. Mr. ebden took up the Sugarleaf Creek but abandoned that part of the country and took up Carl's Root. Howie about the same time took up his run on the east side of the mountain now riddle in Hamilton's and the township of Gisborne. This station was the first connecting the runs taken up by the V.D. land settlers. Captain Brown took up the spot described in my former journal now Dr. Bainton station and Mr. William Hamilton took up the Sugarleaf footnote. The journal of his first trip to Port Phillip C. page 48 editor and a footnote. Now Dr. Bainton station and Mr. William Hamilton took up the Sugarleaf Creek left by Mr. ebden. About this time or shortly afterwards an old military officer named White took up the adjoining country. Coghill and myself started with Bowman who took up the north side of Mount Bing. Now Alexander of far fame. Kept at a short time and sold the stock to Umpilby. He sold to Orr in whose possession it now is. Coghill is in my own stock we left on the Campasby Plains and we advanced to look for countries suitable for our purpose which we found. I took up Smeaton Hill on the 5th of April 1988 having just been 3 months travelling. About 10 days after the Coghills took up their stations. Glenn Derul and Glenn Donald. Harrison who was too wise to be advised by me came nearer the settlement and took up a country I am not acquainted with vis the plenty. After being some months on our respective stations that is Coghill and myself we found to the south of us the country about Bun and Yong taken up by Lee month the Lee River by Lee. Between the last mentioned parties Anderson took up a station thus crowding the station so close that in a short time they found out their mistake. The same year Pettit and Francis took up Dowling Forest which would have been my run only for my ignorance thinking it too rich for sheep. Messrs Irvine and Birch made their appearance and sat down between Smeaton and Glenn Donald and called the station Seven Hills. In 1839 the early part of this year Mr. W. Kirk took up the run outside me but abandoned it and took up a large run west of Mount Coal afterwards Ross and McGill's. Then came Captain McLaughlin and D. Cameron who both sat down on Smeaton. McLaughlin after much persuasion took up the ground left by Kirk and D. Cameron that left by Irvine now known as Clunes. About this time Simpson, Dutton and Darlot took up the London. Then Bowerman took up the ground where Robertson and Skeens is and all about Burnbank. In the meantime, Learmonth extended his run in a direct line purchased Bowerman's stock and connected the whole line of country from Bonn and Young to Burnbank about 30 miles. He afterwards sold part to Dr. Griffin and Elms. After this there were many subdivisions and parties surrounding my knowledge. I think in 1839 John Horden took up Mount Greenock afterwards sold to McCallum's party. L. McKinnon took up the London above Simpsons now W. Hunters. Chanside took up First McElford then the Deep Creek afterwards McKinnons and then Bucknalls. After subdivision of the London run was to see McKinnon now Joyce's. Next to joining Seven Hills was taken up by Lyon Campbell named Bulla Rook. About this time I suppose in 1840 Jim Crow was taken up by Mr. Mollison and all the available country between that and the collarband. The bowyards and Strathlodden were sold to Campbell and McKnight and then to D. Cameron of Clunes then to Captain McLaughlin then to William Campbell and a portion to A. Kennedy. Forest Barker and Friars have all got their names since those days. I may hear a state on my first visit to Castle Main I was surprised to find the Church of England placed honour about that very spot that I had pitched my tent on on the 12th of April 1838 then in all its virgin beauty. I may be here allowed to make another digression for my story which by the by is nearly spun out. On Getting Fairly Settled I wrote a long rigmarole account of all my journeys through these ranges to an old friend of mine who was a gold refiner. The reason of my travelling through those ranges was that I was compelled to divide my party and leave some use on the Campaspe Plains they having commenced lambing. John Betts of Birmingham says in answer to my description of the country John, look closely into all the streams dig and wash the earth search diligently for gold for I am sure your feet are passing over immense wealth every day. How true the prediction of my old friend I believe this my letter might be had if thought worthwhile it was like all my writing badly written and John Betts sent it to another old friend of mine Rhodes and Son minorities London to be corrected and a clean copy written which I believe was done but whether in possession of Rhodes or Betts I do not know. On the brink of a waterhole at the junction of the creeks known as barkers and forest creeks I buried the skull of a prisoner of the crown he was murdered by his mates after absconding from the service of Mr. Hebden it was dug up by the natives twice and the third time I buried it in the dry deposit in the waterhole which was dry at the time but on my next visit full from a thunderstorm if I had been unfortunate enough to have found gold then I should most certainly have never acquired my present position there was not to be the Hargraves with respect to the natives I can say but little having had little intercourse with them it will perhaps be necessary here to relate what took place with myself to show that a hostile feeling did exist although much blame might be attached to my man who paid smartly for the impudence one lord of sheep was left at the campaspe and another at the lorden three men having been left at each place well armed for defence and three men of cog hills having been left at the campaspe for the same reason vis that the ewes were lambing after taking possession of smethen as before stated I had to go between the three parties I have not got dates for these perambulations I left smethen for the lorden passed the night with the man gave directions for their removal to appoint borussia to direct the others to join them there was a man of the name of knight he a veteran he had at this time been several days amongst the natives perhaps weeks he pretended he had lost himself I took him back with me to bowman station and there left him I arrived at the campaspe plains at night after dark found all right in the morning I earmarked all my lambs mixed them with cog hills and started them for the lorden giving them their regular stages and they were to be six days after the sheep I wanted to see something of the country went that day to mollison station and started the next morning for the lorden I first took a southeast direction to the top of a hill about seven miles off for the sake of having a view of the country through which I had to pass and went regularly from one hill to another gym crow being the last I had then an open country to the spot where I directed the men to halt it was after sundown when I got down I saw the sheep and lambs as I thought all right I cooied loudly but there was no answer this was only the third day from the time I left them I then fired a shot no answer I had purchased two dogs on my journey being kangaroo dogs I coupled them with a strap and tied them to a tree for fear of their disturbing the sheep I was very much troubled in my mind about the men one of them being a very bad character all I thought of was that I had murdered the man in charge and made off with the cart and horse I walked round the sheep all night heard the howl now and again of native dogs but not near as soon as day appeared I started off to the old camp and found the fire had been out some time I then returned to my charge seeing them all right I thought I would make a circle and try to discover what direction they had gone with the cart but the country being so dry and hard that I had never seen I kept the sheep all this day and in strolling about I found part of the sheep nets and a dead sheep I took a good sleep during the day and mounted guard at night the dogs got a good feed of the dead sheep but there was nothing for me I began to feel a little hungry but as the sailor says I took in a reef by tying my necker chief around my body next day about sunrise I began to think of driving the sheep to Smeaton and I just rounded them up when I heard a kooey this rather alarmed me I put the saddle on my horse took the cap off my rifle saw the powder up and all right I rode off in the direction I heard the kooey coming towards a bed of reeds on the riverbank knowing the men were alarmed and having I must confess little confidence I was not inclined to put myself in their power I made a stop and then kooed which is immediately answered I saw a man crawling out from amongst the reeds I made straight for him and saw to my great surprise one of Mr. Coghill's men he exclaimed good god sir I am glad to see you alive I said what's the matter William oh sir murder murder this confirmed my opinion I said who is murdered and he answered Lee this was still a further confirmation of my own idea for I thought Williams or trainer had murdered Lee and made off I got quite impatient at the old man's slow answers at last I said who has murdered Lee he then replied the blacks this of course altered all my ideas it appeared when the three men had arranged to remove from the first camp two were to take the sheep the other the cart with the traps the sheep started and after travelling a short distance the two men with the sheep were attacked and fled to the cart for their arms but they soon found the cart was captured and poor Lee dreadfully wounded and left no doubt for dead Williams fled first without injury trainer got a slight wound in the shoulder with a spear but Lee was dreadfully mangled he had on his body 15 wounds and three severe ones on the head while I stood talking to William Freeman I saw the reeds moving and something in the shape of a man moving I lifted my rifle but heard a voice and said don't shoot me to my great surprise this was the man night when being asked how he came there he said he was lost only three days before I left him at Bowman's camp in about two hours the cart with the sheep and men all made their appearance all the weekly lambs had been killed and forced marchers made after meeting the cart which had gone back I purposed going home with the cart they were dead but all exclaimed if I took the cart away with the man cook to drive they would all leave the sheep and follow finding this would not do I got some hot water bathed the wounds got a piece of bread and started home alone giving directions how to come through the rangers and I would meet them the next day after all the delays it was very late when I arrived at Smeaton I said nothing to Mrs H but got a little lint and dressing for the wounds it was very late thinking the party would advance I rode over range after range and gully after gully but there was no appearance of the sheep or party until I arrived at the spot where I left them I felt a little vexed at the men for not starting but they declared that as soon as I left them the natives made their appearance and they were so paralysed at the site they dared not move and also they said they heard cries as if of murdering someone which appeared to be nothing but imagination I got the wounds on Lee's body and head which was the worst, dressed he kept in good spirits after my arrival he thought I was murdered which had troubled him much in the night they all kept up and kept firing their muskets at the wind I am now drawing to a period which will perhaps throw some light on this mysterious fellow night he kept in the camp all night with my men but after starting the party in marching order this man disappeared and took with him a young dog which was given him to carry all the men got so alarmed that I was compelled to threaten to shoot the first man who flinched from the position given him I closed the order of marching so that I had all within my own view I made a search for night but could not see either him or any of the natives I learnt many months afterwards from a black boy that night was killed that very night by the blacks and buried on a hill which I have designated Night's Fall known now by the name of Yanduot I have no doubt of the truth of the murder as the boy's story of the dog showed that the boy knew something of the murder and since I have had further testimony of the fact I have no doubt in my own mind that this man was at the bottom of all the mischief but at the same time he did me much service by making the natives believe that I should kill them all Fall from that day to the present all the natives gave me a wide birth at least when met in the bush I am happy to be able to say I never injured one beyond thumping him with a stick this was after they were protected and he well merited the correction some few months after this several parties of natives made their appearance but always disappeared when I showed my face on one occasion I heard two shots fired I went to see what was the matter the shepherd saw several blacks on a plane not far off I went in the direction and saw a number of men all running off as fast as possible I pursued and overtook two men and a woman the men both took safe positions behind a tree and balanced their spears I got off my horse, laid my gun down showed them my bare hands after a short time the oldest man came out onto open ground using his spear as a staff the other kept his safe post the old man began to talk at a great rate and frequently pointed to the lorden of course relating all that had transpired there which I could not understand the old man perspired so the perspiration dropped from his nose profusely I left them and returned home in less than an hour two shots were again fired the horse being ready I started off to the shepherds but could not find them the two flocks were mixed and I saw one sheep laying on the ground I rode up and found a fine ewe with a long spear driven right through her I pulled it out I got up but soon died the shepherds all this time were watching my movements and after a short time made their appearance and took the sheep homeward we saw nothing of the natives the men said they never saw them even when the sheep was speared although within a short distance no more was heard of the natives for some months the spear was newly scraped no doubt for the purpose for which it was used the next party that made their appearance was a shepherder and insisted on camping alongside of my folds these were evidently natives from another quarter they had a few iron hatchets and began to strip the bark from the trees and build their mea-meas I took the trouble of carrying some of the bark to a distance but this would not do I then ordered them to remove but no all efforts were in vain they had a dog which they tied up by the forepaw to the neck showing they knew what sheep were I had my double-barrelled gun and two useless double-barrelled pistols I discharged all the four barrels and they could see nothing and did not know from whence they were taken I shortly after this left them but intended watching their movements I returned in an hour found all the fires out and the whole of the natives gone saw nothing more of them in the latter part of this year, 1838 say November for I only write from memory I was sheep-washing had always carried either a double-barrelled gun or rifle but this being the first day of washing I did not take my gun in returning home in the afternoon late I saw the blacks had set fire to the grass closer to my home station than I liked I began to fear something serious had happened on approach I saw one of the shepherds crouching behind a tree I rode up and asked him where the sheep were his reply was, the blacks have taken them I asked which way they had gone he pointed to the east I made for the heart as quick as I could the double-barrelled gun was loaded before I left the rifle lying in the case out of the stock but loaded and capped Mrs. H was in great fear but had not given way until she saw me I took both guns and off I went a man of the name of George Cork a prisoner of the crown who was hot keeper had left his hut and come to Mrs. H's he now followed me on foot as fast as he could the grass being long I got onto the tracks of the sheep and presently saw them with four men hustling them along but the weather being hot they did not make much progress they kept at the sheep expecting to get them into the timber but I was too quickly on them and they ran for the timber themselves but made no resistance I headed the sheep homeward and met Cork quite out of breath the poor fellow could not speak for some minutes he brought the sheep back and then the cowardly shepherd made his appearance when sundown came I found another shepherd did not come home he also left the sheep but not one was lost he did not return to the station till morning being lost in the bush all night now for Mrs. H's story about noon about 30 men mustered round the hut they had a musket and wanted powder Mrs. H sent one of the children for old Cork who shut his hut door and answered the summons he loaded all the muskets and carbines placed them all in the hut and covered them up determined to defend if required while Cork was thus employed Mrs. Hepburn took them some tobacco but this weed was not known to them at this time for they threw it all away she then gave them some flour old Cork being an old poacher knew well the use of firearms and boldened by their peaceable friendly appearance at the time Cork was so suspicious of them asked to look at the musket they had opened the pan and unperceived due to the point of his thumb across the pan which act cleaned the priming clean out which saved his life but shortly after this act the same black laid the musket on the top of a round post about 30 yards distant took a deliberate aim and snapped the musket at Cork Cork perceiving his danger rushed into the hut Mrs. H made her appearance at the door with a brace of pistols the natives then fled Cork fired a ball over their heads and it was in their retreat they took the sheep but they made a clean sweep of the men's blankets etc this was the only time any attack was made on the hut there were several other times I turned out the men to drive them off the run the number of sheep lost never exceeded 10 on any occasion and all the depredations were by natives belonging to other districts which I learnt in the course of time a friendly intercourse was first made in a very extraordinary way I was from home and the women visited the station Mrs. H treated them well and shortly after this about 7 or 8 of the women belonging to the tribe that claimed smitten as their bead or as they called it, keruting came to the station they had left all their usual traps and fled to the huts for shelter nothing could drive them away but no force was used for that purpose they stopped about 6 or 8 days and after this we had many visits from them but finding the men making too free with them I gave them very little encouragement so after all my residence among the natives I never learnt a word of their lingo nearly the whole of the tribe belonging to this district is dead I only know of one in existence that was born on my station and he is about 14 years of age but looks quite a man in his prime I do not now know of a woman that was on the station 12 years ago if there be any at the protectorate the fact is not known to me I do not believe I have seen a native black or a party of blacks for these last 4 years that stayed a night on my run I believe Mr. Robinson and Mr. Parker made their first appearance here in 1840 but I have no date perhaps 1841 their object was to form a station I strongly recommended them to take up Jim Crow now Mount Franklin for an Aboriginal station but this did not meet the views of the above named Gents and of course it was not done at that time although it was afterwards for a time the natives appeared to improve much under the management of Mr. Parker but of late years the number has been limited and principally children have been kept some of the young men have turned out very well as bullet drivers on the station they did not make themselves useful otherwise all I can say about the natives only shows I know nothing about them or at least very little some of my southern neighbours could tell better tales of them but it will be seen that I have not cultivated their acquaintance much with respect to the country generally I know a few miles round I shall commence at the river Lodden and come southward on the upper Lodden about Glen Theon and Holcomb there is some good land but heavily timbered the whole of the upper Lodden is volcanic and where the earth has a reddish or chocolate colour it is generally very good but in this district it is so in small patches only there is plenty of fine slabs of slate between Holcomb and Kennedy station with patches of good land the whole way down but not to any extent about Kennedys and down to Hunters there are fine flats of considerable extent on the government reserve for the Aborigines there is also some good ground with a great deal of bad much of which will be at no distant period trenched for gold at Joyce Brothers, Bucknalls and McLaughlin's there is but little that would be considered good land although the flats on the creeks have reduced crops of wheat much heavier than I could see on much better land on my rung there is much good land to appearance but the crop is below the average of my neighbours which I can only attribute to the want of proper drainage of the land being very wet in winter to get a good crop, wheat ought to be put in in the month of March or April in order that the wheat may be well-rooted before the wet weather sets in which is generally about the latter end of May the summer frost is also a great drawbar particularly for horticulture gooseberries, currants, cherries and raspberries do well vines not at all at only 20 miles to the north vines grow well and produce good crops good land on my run is very prepossessing in appearance but in many places there is only a shallow soil which lies on a bed of lava which dries up early in the season but this is not the case all over it there is some very fine land the seven hills is much the same but all the best land on that station is heavily timbered at Glen Donald there is little good land but it might be much improved Clunes and McCullums perhaps have less good land than any other runs of the same magnitude in this part of the country Glendorule, Coghills and Dowling Forest with Wynnum have perhaps more prime land than any country of doubly extent in this part of the country on the Lee River there are many good spots and through towards Byronbeet and Burnbank not to the township which is poor but as far as Robertsons and Skins there is some beautiful country to the southeast of Ballon and much of the Pentland Hills is a first rate country for wheat or other grain the average crop of wheat grown at Smeaton for 12 years does not exceed 20 bushels per acre at Dowling Forest and Glendorule about 30 has been the average to the best of my knowledge my information is very limited and having no general knowledge of the qualities of land it must therefore be taken for what it is worth nearly all this memo is written from memory before closing I should state the result of my experience amongst prisoners of the Crown under the old system more particularly those under my own charge in this part of the country I brought from Sydney Francis Smith Isaac Howell William Butson George Lee George Carmichael George Cook all six men well behaved and useful these men were paid 30 pounds per annum while in my service they were the assigned servants of John Coghill they are all in existence and have done well Edward Traynor and Bartholomew Williams were both bad men and petty thieves Dennis Walker and Joseph Woodford two boys turned out middling but were troublesome while in my service I forgot to state that Lee had after his conflict with the natives to be sent to Melbourne for surgical assistance and had a piece of a spear nine inches long cut out of his back by Dr. Cossin one word more in favor of old hands on our first expedition in 1836 Mr. John Gardner had a man named Dogarty the prisoner of the Crown from VD land brought to Sydney by permission of Governor Arthur that man has been in my service for these last ten years has a family and is a well-doing man I do not make these statements as an advocate for prisoners for I am not but it only shows that prisoners are sometimes painted in worse colors than they deserve I may also add that I have had many other old prisoners in my service and have in general found them very good servants the Pentonville's being the worst without exception English training avails little in this country I trust I shall not be considered partial or egotistic in these memoranda for I can only state what I know myself and what I have learnt from others to a very limited extent the first commissioner of Crown lands for this district was Peter Snodgrass Esquire now MLC the next HF Graham Esquire then Foster Fianz Esquire after him F.A. Powlett Esquire the new one I have not seen I have had disputes about boundaries settled by all the above gentlemen and also by Mr. Grimes and in all cases without favor or affection to any party or parties so much for the officials it may be considered I am some place hunter or looking for some favor this is not the case I look for my rights as a British subject and will maintain them too as so far as my knowledge goes I unfurled but one flag and to that I will adhere I trust for the remainder of my life however long it may be the pleasure of God to spare me J.H. End of section 12 The next recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org letters from Victorian pioneers letter number 13 from William Thomas brief account of the aborigines of Australia Felix their government is patriarchal the head of each family having control over his household nor is he accountable to the community his conduct touching them even after his children come to years of discretion if they be unmarried they however are by no means arbitrary nor cruel and with the children are foolishly indulgent it is only in passion that their conduct is revolting and then they are generally checked by one or more powerful friends arresting the angered while others try to appease him by reason although the head of the family is not accountable to the community a mother will not tamely see her child ill-used and when a son is grown up if his mother is ill-treated he will show fight I have witnessed some dreadful phrase between father and son on the mother's account should one kill his wife the friends or relatives of the woman will have satisfaction when the tribes meet the slayer must show himself naked among them and unflinchingly await their anger each tribe has a chief who directs all his movements and who wherever he may be knows well where all the members of the community are about once in three months the whole tribe unite generally at new or full moon when they have a few dances and again separate into three or more bodies as they cannot get food if they move en masse the chief with the aged makes arrangements for the route each party is to take in their movements they seldom encamp more than three nights in one place and often are but one thus they move from one place to another regardless of sickness, death, birth, etc they will not wait for anything when they have an object in view I have known instances of females having an infant at night and compelled to tramp in the morning and the men to carry their sick from one encampment to another in each body are a few old men who take charge of the small community and give instructions in the morning where they will encamp at night they seldom travel more than six miles a day in their migratory moves all are employed children in getting gum, knocking down birds, etc women in digging up roots, killing bandicoots, getting grubs, etc the men in hunting kangaroos, etc scaling trees for opossums, etc, etc they mostly are at the encampment about an hour before sundown the women first who get fire and water, etc by the time their spouses arrive they hold that the bush and all it contains are man's general property that private property is only what utensils are carried in the bag and this general claim to nature's bounty extends even to the success of the day hence at the close those who have been successful divide with those who have not been so there is no complaining in the streets of a native encampment none lacketh while others have it nor is the gift considered as a favor but a right brought to the needy and thrown down at his feet in warm weather while on the tramp they seldom make a meum they use merely a few bows to keep off the wind in wet weather a few sheets of bark make a comfortable house in one half hour I have seen a neat village begun and finished the harmony that exists among them when none of another tribe is in the party is surprising I have been out with them for months without a single altercation wherever one is born that is considered his or her country they have no regular burial places their bones lie scattered through the bush over the men according to their importance an oration is delivered the purport of which is that they his survivors will avenge his death and begging the defunct to lie still till they do so over the women and children no ceremony is performed after the body is interred the encampment breaks up leaving a fire at the east of the grave orphans are taken great care of it is considered a great honor to have an orphan added to the family they have many ceremonies on particular occasions such as when a youth or maiden comes of age installment of the bush marriage ceremony etc etc to give them in this brief account is impossible one must suffice marriage the men engross the right of giving the women away the women have neither choice nor will in the matter they are the property of the father if he is dead of the brother if there is no brother of the uncle there is seldom a marriage without much fighting as there is a great preponderance of males over females and the old chiefs not being satisfied with less than two and sometimes four increases the value of the women most females are purchased the general price is two large cougars or opossum rugs two or three dozen opossums and other trifles the woman is handed over to the spouse who has scarce got her when some others those who were desirous to obtain her may be seen naked discharging wangwims etc at the bridegroom a general family fight takes place and the bridegroom seldom gets off without a broken head at night the dame is selky and when her spouse is asleep generally creeps to her mother and when he awakes and finds her gone he claims her her father in a rage knocks the poor girl about with his bludgeon or tomahawk drags her by the hair of her head to her coolin where she gets another dropping this is often continued for two or more days until the poor creature is regularly broken down she resigns to her fate and generally proves a constant and affectionate wife laws of laws they have three principle that is to punish murder theft and adultery murder is punished by the whole of the tribe throwing a spear and a wangwim at the murderer if he escapes without any material injury the male who is the nearest of kin to the murdered may with his bludgeon or leonyle strike at the murderer's head no other part till he is tired during the punishment the murderer is not allowed to throw a single weapon but may ward off the spears etc. with his shield I knew an instance of a man having one hundred spears thrown at him who warded them every one off theft is of a rare occurrence and is punished by blows on the head of the thief by the party wronged I never knew but one case of this kind adultery is a crime that keeps the encampment when two or more tribes are present in continued broils the adulterer and adulteress are both punished the latter awfully severe but the former having what the poor females have not a way of warding off the weapons comes better off there is one particularly amiable trait in the aboriginal character which is that no animosity remains in their breasts nor does any shrink from punishment at the close of a fight or punishment those who have inflicted the wounds may be seen sucking them and doing any other kind office required most tribes have intercourse with or hold a kind of alliance with three or four neighboring ones with whom they barter for lubras etc they generally once a year at least unitedly assemble there are many disputes imaginary or real to settle which cannot be done without some fighting when all is settled they will corroborate night after night till they separate all the tribes beyond the district of their friends are termed wild black fellows and when found within the district are immediately killed the blacks were formerly very superstitious the most awful superstition is that they believe that man would never die unless he were killed that the sick man has been opened and his kidneys and fat have been taken out which has caused death and that nothing short of the kidneys and fat of another will appease the dead they also believe that as the kidneys and fat are the life of man the eating of the same gives double strength and vigor to those who partake of them hence they never kill a wild black as they term him but they rob the body of that part they also have another cruel custom of sacrificing the fruit of the womb till a male is born so that should a female have three or four girls all are killed until a male is born the poor innocents are put out of the way by strangling or smothering generally on the ninth or twenty first day to go into the various traditions they have of the creation of the world man woman and animals stars etc is impossible here suffice it to state that they are a people that have names for particular stars as the southern cross Magellanic clouds etc and their traditions are not more ridiculous than those of other savage nations they have also an idea of several imaginary beings almost all of the dreaded class also superstitious notions of certain birds native bears and extraordinary appearances in the heavens dances they have various dances day and night although a stranger after seeing one may think the whole alike and merely a monotony of sounds and motion which is not the case the song and words are to the motion of the body like our country dances and reels one ignorant of dancing would look upon the movements as monotonous there is as much sense in the one as in the other if the black's orchestra is inferior their time and motion are better games they have many all admirably adapted to strengthen expand the corporeal powers as running, jumping, throwing, etc but the most manual is wrestling and certainly everyone who has ever seen them at this exercise has acknowledged that it is equal to any description given of the ancients and destitute of the brutality often resorted to by the ancients to gain the mastery the Aborigines is sheer, fair wrestling they challenge each other by throwing dust in the air towards those they desire to strive with which is answered by a return they run towards each other on approaching each puts his hands on his antagonists shoulder and it is not till both are nearly exhausted that one is down I should have stated that besides chiefs they have other eminent men as warriors, counselors, doctors dreamers who are also interpreters charmers who are supposed to be able to bring and drive rain away also to bring or send plagues among other nations and to drive away the same as occasion requires although they have chiefs doctors, counselors, warriors, dreamers, etc who form a kind of aristocracy yet these are in no way a burden to the community the chiefs govern doctors cure, counselors advise and warriors fight without pay all alike seek their food and he who is mindful of the ravens is not unmindful of these sable sons of Australia their war implements are one, the wangwim thrown in battle and useful in the bush to knock down birds two, kerook or throwing stick with which a reed spear is hurled out with great force three, warawara a common club used in single combat four, leonyle the most dreadful hand weapon used in single combat only five, kudgerin a thick club very weighty at the end used in close combat only six, mulga a shield used in single combat only to defend the head from the hand clubs three, four and five seven, gayam a large shield used to ward off long spears eight, tirer a reed spear used for distant objects nine, tarre a long spear pointed at the end used for distant combat eleven, mongile a double-glass jagged spear the most fatal of their weapons twelve, wa voit mostly used in play it is thrown by the hand the knob end bounds on the hard ground a considerable distance as a stone would do when thrown on ice he whose wa voit is the greatest distance is considered victor men composing the native police on 1st January, 1843 Bilibulari was a chief of the Yara tribe he stands foremost and justly so as ever having been the white man's friend generous, frank and determined as he was having received intimation that government was desirous of forming a native police I consulted this chief who had often protected my life I remember well the day I and the captain Dana on a huge gum log on the 17th February, 1842 made known to Bilibulari the government's intention and to further it stated that his influence was applied to first he begged seven days to think night after night did this faithful chief address the encampment true to the day on the 24th he had the company together leading the train after stating the duties he signed his name first not however before saying I am king I know ride on horseback I know go out of my country young men go as you say not me through his influence the native police was first formed this good man used often after the first fortnight to appeal to me on being ordered to march up and down for two hours nothing like command would do for him I at length brought captain Dana to consent that he be permitted to be on duty when he pleased regimentals, gun, etc. were at his disposal generally an hour before sundown the chief would dress himself and take it into his head to march to and fro from his Lubra's miam to my tent which invariably was adjacent this good man died on the 10th of August 1846 after preserving the lives of the first settlers checking in the bud any jealousy or revenge in the precincts of melbourne towards the whites he was engaged with the mount massadon tribe in transferring the land to batman, simpson, swanston, and others fostering all missionary and other exertions to better his race he lamented much the deterioration of his people he lived to see them become drunkards and refractory to their own laws he was the last chief who was recognized as having any power on his demise, missions, schools, and police began to totter and were subsequently capped up, I may say through pressing from distant tribes bug up a fine intelligent young man after two expeditions he was made a corporal and received pay he continued in the police till his death had been on much arduous duty from the effect of one very long day's ride somehow his ankle was hurt by the stirrup iron which was not considered of any consequence however after some months it so affected his leg than his thigh that to save his life amputation above the knee was required which he consented to he was one of the first in the colony who underwent an operation under the influence of ether and did well the operation was performed by doctors hobson, thomas, and barker he lived a year after the operation making himself useful at the police quarters till his death on the 2nd september, 1848 after nearly six years' service berberow this black remained but a few months in the service his habits and disposition were too restless for restraint and too immoral to be kept in subjection he laterly was a notorious drunkard and on the last meeting of the tribes was killed while drunk on richman's swamp and shoved into a rut 28th may, 1852 benbu this harmless man, like bolibulary was but a short time in the service in fact was not by nature or disposition adapted for the police he however, to the time of his death was seldom seen out of uniform which was generally that of a commissariat in full dress except the cocked hat Mr. Erskine used invariably to give him his left-off uniform and benbu never shrunk when he wanted uniform from asking for it this good and inoffensive chief died on his way to Moody Yaloch at Little Brighton on the 5th july, 1852 his few subjects were drunk for three days previous and neglected their king bearing this young black who continued in the service for some time was in two journeys he subsequently went to the devil's river and has not been heard of since Colpender this fine young man was son of bolibulary but widely different in disposition and character I think he went but two journeys he was an awfully dissipated character after his father's death and was eventually killed at the golburn in a drunken fray with the golburn blacks correct correct remained but a few months in the police afterwards he was continually going to and fro to Gippsland where he died sometime in 1848 Khunerdagum I can't recollect or find in my papers a name in the least like this those enrolled on 24th of February 1842 were all correct I wrote their names down Gallibrand was a faithful black much respected by the whites especially the gentry he took his name from the unfortunate gentleman who was lost with Hesse his real name was Baruke a kangaroo rat it is said that while he was being brought into the world the kangaroo rat ran over his mother the natives invariably consider such occurrences as omens for something and he was named after the animal he was one who accompanied the whites in search of Gallibrand he remained in the police till his death which was premature having come with the government dray from Nare Warren for a month's provisions he drank to much excess he reported to me by the blacks at the clubhouse that he died on his way back with the dray and was buried near South Yara Pound he had been on duty in all parts of the colony was a corporal and had received pay for years Gibiruk this was a noble looking black but sullen and in no way to be depended upon he soon left the service after his first orders to accompany Mr. Commissioner Powlett to Mount Macedon he went subsequently to the Gilborn and for odd I know is still alive Murrum Murrum Bean a fine powerful black next to Billy Bellieri of the greatest influence over the Yara blacks he however soon left the police as they assured me afterwards they only joined to set the example he died on the 16th October 1849 he was never addicted to drink and endeavored with his cousin Billy Bellieri to stop this growing vice many and many times have the young men's heads been split by these two worthy men that is those who came in drunk overnight to the encampment but all to no avail the vile whites made others drunk daily had this man in Billy Bellieri the power such was their determination they would have summarily dealt with the case and have taken a band with wadi and spears and have discharged the contents of every spirit cask in Melbourne and have felt no repugnance if opposed in shedding blood to accomplish their object for with aborigines murder is no crime when for the public good Mooney Mooney this was a fine young man who was sent to important journeys and died in the service while at the Waimara in August 1845 Ningula Bin alias John Bull a fine powerful black but no sooner were the police ordered upon distant duty than he and several others deserted he being a man of importance Captain Dana was awfully prejudiced against him which prejudice on the captain's part had nearly been fatal to the life of Ninggubalin in so much that the second in command forgiving evidence which I compelled him to give of the native police ever afterwards was under the displeasure of his superior Ninggubalin was afterwards tried for the murder of Booby an aboriginal from the present colonial secretary's station I was so convinced of his innocence having daily intercourse with him at the time that in spite of official opposition which was truly unpleasant I persevered in order to prove such and at length after four months from circumstantial evidence brought forward the jury in spite of direct evidence after a tedious trial which lasted till eight o'clock at night acquitted him Nanoop Toon remained but a few months in the force he was a good tempered fellow but as restless as a hyena in confinement he subsequently was, unjustly accused of taking Mr. Willoughby's child at western port which so frightened him that for years he scarce rambled further than along the coast from Mount Eliza to point Nipien he died under Mount Eliza 11th of August, 1849 Nirim Binak brother to the unfortunate Windberry shot by Major Letsom's party he continued in the force for a considerable time getting tired of it he left and for some years rambled along the Gilborne to the Devil's River and Magulimbuk tribes like his unfortunate brother by family connection he seems to pass safely through different remote tribes he is still alive and left some months back our encampment by the rangers for Bakus Marsh he is a terrible drunkard Pirup there have been two of this name in the police the one who was in the force in 1843 continued in it till 1847 after leaving it he was scarce in his district for a months continuance going to and fro with others purchasing or stealing Gippsland Lubras he was subsequently with two others killed there in May 1850 on the Mitchell River through the treachery of a knowing Gippsland black named Tyres Perpeen better known as McNowell an active, shrewd, able and intelligent policeman for two years highly serviceable he had the boldness to be the first to fire at a white man when with Commissioner Gisborne's police up the Yara on leaving the police he, like most others, became a notorious drunkard and was dangerous when so in a drunken fray with two of his own tribe he received a spear wound from which he died four days afterwards on 2 May 1850 at the encampment between the Mary and Derebin Creeks Poligary an able-bodied black, intelligent and to be fully depended upon he went through a routine of service for government being selected for most of their important journeys on leaving the force he accompanied Mr. Boonee and others in an expedition I think in quest of the lost Dr. Leihart he is still living in Boonee's correspondence he is designated as Black Jimmy Moon Moonginner a fine and faithful black of good disposition and temper had been out on three expeditions the Waimara was the last where he was taken ill and returned before his comrades the black doctors recommended rambling through the district which he did to no effect he died at Mahoon, western port on the 16th August 1845 Tan Miel a young, steady and faithful policeman he continued in the service till his death he had been on duty the whole round of the colony from Portland Bay West to Gippsland East and the Murray North he died at the police barracks Nari Nari Warren in November 1850 Tamboko this black continued in the service for at the least three years Captain Dana was particularly partial to him his lubra was also of great service she could wash, iron and do needlework almost as well as a white woman an altercation however took place at the police barrack Nari Nari Warren the sergeant brought Tamboko to Melbourne handcuffed and lodged him in the watch house my blacks at the Mary Creek gave me information of it I attended the police office next morning no one appeared against him and he was discharged with all I could do I could not get him to return he was industrious and sober he went a few trips to Gippsland after the death of his lubra where he now is and has been for the last 18 months shepherding while we're wrong this black continued in the service I should say at least four years beyond my expectation so much so that when Billy Bellieri presented him I told Captain Dana it was useless to have his name neither he nor any of the Murray family could be kept for any continuance from the Yara ranges he however was enrolled and proved a faithful servant of government but becoming at length constitutionally affected with the venereal disease he left or had leave of absence Dr. Jameson and others gave him medicines his disease gained on him and like all blacks in great affliction wandering seems the last recipe he went rambling with a few Yara blacks and died in the Yara ranges the date I cannot exactly give but it was between 1849 and 1850 Wiggy Gulk also a fine youth was in the force nearly two years after returning from the Murray River he became tired of that kind of life and though continuing in the force was continually asking for furloughs and would come to Melbourne plant his police clothes with impunity he subsequently was tried for larceny on 15th July 1844 since then he has led a dissipated life he is at present if alive in Gippsland Yammer Book an intelligent and faithful black good tempered and no one on a Bush excursion more to be depended upon was a considerable time in the native police he had accompanied most of the journeys through the district on leaving the police he commenced with others to go to and fro to Gippsland and is, for what I know still alive in Gippsland but he has for years been a notorious drunkard Yuptoon one of the coolest commanding tempers that ever I saw in a black but when drunk the most determined on Miss Jeff Captain Dana and other officers have assured me that for patience, perseverance and other requisites in a long journey no European could equal him this was the black who in the conflict with the blacks to the westward had the full opportunity of shedding blood to no small extent but would not on his race although he received several wounds two on his head being very severe in saving the life of his superior officer for which he received on his return the commendation of his excellency the present lieutenant governor he was made corporal and received pay however, since he left the service and while in it when opportunity offered he would get drunk and to such excess that he was in continual trouble the last time he was convicted with imprisonment I advised him when I got him from the jail to keep to the bush which he has done since in every other respect a more kind-hearted feeling black could not be found in the early history of the colony his father, mother and elder brother were shot by the settlers in a sheep robbery between the Gilborne river and the ovens which left him to the care of Billy Bellieri the chief of the Yara tribe to whom his aunt was married he is still alive with the devil's river tribe William Thomas Pentridge 6th April, 1854 Memo his excellency will perceive that the names forwarded are strictly given but when a material difference exists in the orthography I have indicated in brackets the real name thus Bella Bellieri et cetera et cetera W.T. it will be seen that in all these cases except Boer turning alias Billy merge into drunkenness that is Kalpindure violently drunk going to cut into the rope at Richmond pond because the punt man in an instant could not convey him across Bunger Bernanook leaving a butchers in Gilong in whose service he had been for some length of time upon a drunken spree forgetting to return the knife in his belt was had up for larceny Yeptun one of the best of blacks and most faithful of the police when sober and the worst when drunk was figuring away among a mob of constables and with difficulty secured the white man Gilmore was drinking hard when he fell in with three blacks two of them belonging to the police all were drinking hard together a dispute subsequently arose about a bottle of rum Gilmore became frightened and thought one was going to kill him Gilmore shot at him and he fell fearful of the others as he said he shot and wounded another Boer turning's case is more what I would call your attention to as it is more important to my mind than the others though there was no loss of life it is from such cases the danger of the aborigines may be calculated my impression ever was and is still the same that from the blacks as a body to Europeans there is no danger whatever it is our damnable drink that has made them so nauseous even to ourselves without our for a moment calculating the beam our own European eye but to proceed with Billy his case was enveloped in mystery from the child known in the neighborhood from eight years of age with the native police highly respected by every officer from Mr. Dana downwards Hearst, Lideard and others assured me that he must be innocent all rested on the evidence of the girl who subsequently being found to be an objectionable character I lost no time in preparing a memorial to his Excellency for a commutation of sentence which memorial was signed by the foreman of the jury and by the whole except two who had left for the diggings more than one of the jury remarked to me that had they known an hour before the trial what they knew an hour after a verdict quite the reverse would have been given the impression is still the same that he is and was an innocent man and as such I do not for a moment consider that the aboriginal character is in any way the least affected to its prejudice by this trial the guardian of aborigines 27354 returns with remarks one return showing the number of aborigines in the Yara western port tribes 1852 to 1853 two return showing the number of deaths in the Yara and western port tribes 1850 to 53 three return showing the number of births in the Yara and western port tribes 1850 to 53 grand total in four years in both tribes two and for three years previous in the two tribes had not been a birth however these two both died or were killed within a month for return showing the number of aboriginal children under instruction 1851 to 53 deaths it will be seen by this return that from the end of 1851 to the end of 1852 there was a mortality of 18 out of a population of 77 nearly one fourth the mortality has been among the males principally that is 14 males and but four females one of the latter being an infant eight were murdered and two of the murderers were subsequently arrested and killed it is true sickness prevailed to a great extent among them and notwithstanding my continued attention and the truly fatherly visits of 1851 Dr. Sullivan eight died three of these however were during the drunken freaks of May and June almost perpetually drunk five only out of the 18 may be said to have died by the visitation of God the remainder by violence this year of mortality was ushered in as satisfactorily as could be the Yara blacks were engaged by the plenty and most of the western port blacks in the country of Mornington were engaged at different stations in February some western port blacks returned from Gippsland bringing about ten Waragal blacks with them I tried to remove them they promised day after day to leave while engaged with them near Unwind's survey south of the Yara some messengers were dispatched and Melbourne had in a few days three encampments within ten miles of it they begged very hard to remain and said they would leave in three weeks and not come near the town they had not met for years and wanted to have once more some corroboree together I got the three encampments at length to one spot in a government reserve on a bend of the Yara about twelve or thirteen miles from Melbourne there was an excellency upon the indulgence which was granted and night after night for fourteen days did they enjoy themselves from this time however they visited Melbourne and scenes of the most awful dissipation ensued as they were shifted from one spot they would be found two or three miles nearer Melbourne in another direction until in April and May from morning to night in the darkness while I was taking one party off two were murdered and three were subsequently found dead which with the previous murder at Brighton regularly disgusted the public after by the aid of police I got the Gilbourn, Barabool Booning and Gippsland blacks off assuring them that never more should there be an assemblage by the end of June the Yara blacks were settled at the ranges and the western port near the coast during this year reserves were granted the two tribes and provisions secured for them in the bush so that they were now left without the least excuse I may add that some important correspondence between the Guardian and the Government took place resulting from the awful outrages of the Aborigines intersay touching their case difficulties however seemed to increase as correspondence went on and the question receded to its former position and justly so the fact is that almost rest upon Aboriginal evidence to admit which in their present state would jeopardize the life of any they had a peak against a proof of this is the murder of one Buller-Bullop this year I missed him for three weeks before any of the other murders were discovered I made continual inquiries about him received such evasive replies that I was far from satisfied in fact felt that he must have been killed by some of the number of strangers in the encampment King Benbow his brother and another left for Williamstown for seven or eight days about the time I was about getting a trooper or two off the whole of the blacks and said to a fine young man of the Yara tribe formerly of the native police I should like to know if poor Buller-Bullop is killed what tribe did it and I would have the black if possible before I sent them away he took me aside and told me in as cool and deliberate a manner as a man could that King Benbow his brother and another had killed Buller-Bullop on account of yal-yal being killed at Brighton and that they had buried him in a scrub near Williamstown after a little further inquiry this appeared substantiated and I reported the deed to his Excellency Benbow subsequently returned and I felt thoroughly convinced from his protestations that he was innocent Buller-Bullop's murderer after all I found to be this very black and two others and his body was found not at Williamstown but mangled near Richmond Swamp I lost no time in communicating to his Excellency how grossly King Benbow had been accused W.T. Before I close there are three documents transmitted to government not noticed here of some import which will put his Excellency in possession of the whole of the history of the Aborigines of the Melbourne tribes that is on 21st December 1852 particular statistics of Aborigines from 1836 to close of 1851 numbers, schools, etc. with notes December 17th, 1853 returns required by Legislative Council 345 with notes December 29th, 1853 returns furnished to Registrar General that is 1336 the above with the particular returns I left as appendices to my last report as protector 31st December 1849 will make all Aboriginal matters complete as respects returns the manners etc. of them are too numerous for me to be able to supply there are however a few and but a few lines I can furnish in a day or two which are nevertheless necessary to make the whole complete that is those blacks who have been committed and tried since the end of 1849 and the whites who have been committed and tried for outrages on the blacks since the same date all previous are in government returns and though I had the honor of first compiling such a return I must say it is a most important one the more so as the Attorney General at Sydney said some years back such could not be furnished end of section 13