174. 



[AruiL, 



the fact there can no longer be a question ; it has even led to official inquiries on 

 the part of the Colonial Government, and is yet regarded as a physioIo;:ical paradox. 

 Among many o^her questions which the Legislative Council of Sydney has 

 addressed to the colonial magistrates, was the following one : " Are there any, 

 and how many, half-castes in your district?" The official replies of thirty-one 

 of these magistrates are published in detail in the " Minutes of Evidence " issued 

 by th Legislature at Sydney, in October, 1845.* From these Reports I have 

 drawn up the following Table, in which is given the name of each colony or 

 settlement, the whole number of aborigines inhabiting its precincts, the number 

 of half-breeds living with the natives, and the number also of half-breeds who 

 remain with the white population. ' '. 



* For these very interesting documents [ am indebted lo the kindness of Dr. Charles Nichol- 

 mon, a highly intelligent Member of the Legislative Council. 



t The magistrate testifies that there are " very few children " in his District, and that the 

 majority of tliem are half-caste. 



I This number, " one fifth," evidently alludes to the children, though it is vaguely expressed. 



^" Several have been bom, but I know of none living." 



U " Very few. I have only seen two." 



