John Green, July 1869

'I have had a good deal of trouble with some of the men about money. Some of them think that they should get all the money that is realized for the produce, &c., as soon as it is sold, to do with it as they like.'

Robert Brough Smyth, 2 February 1870

'Many of the men are good laborers, and they are now so thoroughly domesticated that they show an earnest desire to get profit from their labors. The most industrious feel that they are giving their time and their work not only for the partial support of themselves and their families, but also for the benefit of the large number of females and children who are incapable of labor, and they wish to get some remuneration. This, in my humble opinion, is not unreasonable, and I beg to recommend that each laborer be paid a small sum per week in proportion to the amount of work performed .

This is a matter that I beg you will be so good as to consider and determine as early as practicable, as I am convinced the success of the station will be retarded if the men be allowed to believe that their hard labors are unworthy of recognition .

It must be remembered that Coranderrk is the principal station; the feeble and the sick are sent to it; destitute Aboriginal children and half-castes are gathered together there; and it would be unreasonable to require the few healthy and strong men to support a large number who can contribute nothing to their own support.

The men are still anxious and uncertain respecting the tenure of their land. They feel they may be turned away at any time, and I hope the Central Board will make an effort to get a grant of land now reserved for the use of the Aborigines. This, more than anything else, would give contentment and ensure the happiness of this people.'

Robert Brough Smyth, 19 January 1871

Collins street, 19th January 1871

Sir,

Mr Green having reported that some of the Aborigines at Coranderrk had deserted the stations because they were dissatisfied with the treatment they experience there. I in company with Mr Jennings, a member of the Central Board proceeded to Coranderrk, on Thursday the 12th instant, in order to bring them back and to settle, if practicable, any differences existing between the Aborigines and the superintendent of the station.

On arriving at the station at four o'clock p.m., we found that three of the five blacks who had absconded had returned to Coranderrk; and after making a careful inspection of the huts, &c., we made arrangements for a further and complete inspection on Friday.

We spent nearly the whole of Friday at the station. We caused the adult Aborigines to assemble in the school-room, and we listened to their complaints. Those who had returned after having temporarily withdrawn from the station, informed us that they and their families were not sufficiently supplied with butcher's meat and clothing; and their appearance sufficiently proved that as regards clothing their complaint was well founded.

On referring to Mr. Green, he stated that he had in pursuance of' his system refused clothing (except absolute necessaries) to those who did not do a fair amount of work. Further enquiries satisfied us that the complainants had not worked as they ought to have done; but the reason for this neglect was found in the fact that no stated remuneration was given to the laborers. All the men complained that they were not paid for their work, and they seemed to think that the suggestion made in my Report of the 2nd February 1870 should have been adopted by the Central Board. I agree with them; and regret that the Board did not consider and deal with my Report when it was presented. If it had been dealt with, all the existing difficulties and differences would, in my humble opinion, have been avoided.