“The ex-scholars from Adelaide formed the nucleus of an educated class, and one of these, Conwillan, was able, when the Archdeacon was absent, to conduct service in the mission church with such propriety, that white settlers in the neighbourhood used regularly to attend. A day school for the children was soon established, classes were formed for the women, and the men and older boys who are at work during the day attend a night school. The necessity for amusements was not forgotten; music was encouraged. Some of the young men lead the singing at church with their flutes, while the tones of the violin and concertina are not unfamiliar in the settlement. Occasionally there is dancing, and harmless indoor games are indulged in. Cricket seems for many years to have occupied as prominent a position as at Harrow or Eton. Drink is strictly forbidden. No drink, of course, can be obtained in the village, but we believe no Poonindie native has been known to break the rule, when sent to the township on errands.
“Besides the permanent inhabitants of the station, we heard of ‘wurley natives,’ who, while retaining their ordinary mode of life, still hang about the mission, sometimes, we believe, attending school and church. The Poonindie estate now contains 12,000 acres.”
A Government reserve of 113 acres has been granted for an Institution for the Aborigines near Mackay, Queensland.
A school-house has been built 80 ft. by 12 ft., and a Protector’s quarters also, and furniture provided. The work has been chiefly done by the natives. The scholars are taught to labour—to burn lime, and draw wood and water.
The adult natives get employment from the settlers around, and they plant the sweet potato and supply fish.
We hope that this small attempt may increase and rescue many of this race from destruction. The Government has since befriended the mission, and Bishop Hale, who is still their friend, by resolution of the General Synod, took primary charge of it.
The Warangesda mission was commenced by Mr. Gribble, (now ordained), chiefly on his own resources and with the help of his wife. He erected buildings, and fenced ground for cultivation. The chief object seems to be to rescue the young females from impending ruin, and in this he has been successful, so much so that the numbers were so great as to press upon him, beyond his means of support. The history of some of these young females is full of interest; how they have accommodated themselves to discipline and domestic life. But Mr. Gribble could not meet the urgent demands, and was obliged therefore to refuse admittance. The school was accepted by the State as a State school, was afforded help, and contributions were made from various sources to the amount of £671 7s. 2d.
“This mission has become a church mission, but it is doubtful whether the Government can render help under the withdrawal of State aid, it being now a denominational institution. There appears to be more than 80 blacks on the books of the mission. 600 acres have been obtained from the Government, and 400 more have been promised.”—Extracted from the report of the Board of Missions.
The Maloga mission is under the management of Mr. Matthews and his wife. Quoting from the report of 1878:—Last report our numbers were comparatively small, but a considerable increase has been made since. The aborigines at the mission have been principally employed in cutting timber for the purpose of erecting huts for themselves. Some have made fair progress in carpenter’s work. They assemble round the fire in winter to hear “Uncle Tom’s Cabin” read to them. Mrs. Matthews and Miss Prane attend the Sunday school. A number of blacks from the bush were present at the evening services.
A picnic was held on the Queen’s Birthday, the children and adults playing rounders, racing, skipping, and indulging in lots of swinging. They lit a bonfire and fired salutes in honor of Her Majesty.