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'It
will be seen from the statements hereto appended that on these
central stations the Aborigines are living in comfort; that many
of the families are in possession of valuable property and have
good houses; that they diligently till the ground which has been
set apart for their use; that their children attend the schools
with regularity; and that their progress in learning and the useful
arts is more rapid than could have been expected.
Every
opportunity is afforded for imparting religious instruction to
the natives, but the Board has kept strictly to the duties imposed
on it by the commission under which it acts; and has used the
monies placed at its disposal solely for the purpose of ministering
to the physical wants of the Aborigines, in furthering their moral
improvement, in educating them, and in encouraging them to follow
industrial pursuits.
There
are good grounds for the hope that in a short time the Aboriginal
Station at Corranderrk, and perhaps the stations in Gippsland,
will, from the sale of the produce raised by the Aborigines, be
of a great extent self-supporting, and require but little help
from the Government.
It
is the earnest desire of the Board that the central stations should
soon be in this condition, because it would prove that the Aborigines
living on these stations are not only civilised but equal to the
performance of the duties which civilisation imposes; that the
liberality of the Legislature in contributing to their wants has
not been abused; and that the system in operatoin has been successful.
The
several reports in the Appendices show that the children are pursuing
a course which is likely to lead to satisfactory results, and
that even the aged amongst the adults are sensible of the advantages
which are offered at the places appointed for their residence.'
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