PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION E. 545 



says, " The natives had visited the new comers (whom I have no doubt 

 they considered unwelcome intruders) and some slight differences 

 had occurred. The settlement, however, got on pretty well for some 

 time ; but at length hostilities commenced between the natives and 

 the Europeans, and proceeded from bad to worse until the hatred of 

 both parties became thoroughly rooted. From all the accounts I could 

 •collect, and I had them from various and authentic sources, I have no 

 hesitation in stating that the civilised party was far from being blame- 

 less. It is well-known to every person who has had the slightest inter- 

 course with savages that they are invariably addicted to thieving. 

 It is therefore not to be denied that the natives committed many petty 

 thefts ; but the policy of being unnecessarily annoyed thereat, and 

 the humanity of putting them to death for such offences, may be safely 

 called into question." 1 do not think that any comment is necessary 

 on this glimpse at gi'im tragedies, and Ave can see reverence for the 

 savage English penal code of the time, when death was the punish- 

 /nent for most things, peeping out even in the remarks of this naval 

 doctor, who doubtless was, for his day, a humane and kind-hearted 

 man, indeed he must have been or he would not have questioned the 

 '" humanity " of extending the blessings of civilisation in the shape of 

 this awful code to the ignorant islanders. Tfad a tactful, mild, and 

 firm policy been persevered in, the natives would have become reliable 

 iriends, their assistance would have been invaluable in many ways, 

 .and the splendid opportunity for making a thorough and careful land 

 exploration of the islands could have been fully utilised. The soldiers 

 and convicts only did one good thing, they let some buffaloes go ; 

 probably this was a misadventure, and the unfortunate individual 

 in charge duly received six dozen of the commandant's " best " for 

 his carelessness ; but they have increased and multiplied and spread 

 all over Melville Island. We pulled across King's Cove and landed 

 at the north side of Garden Point on a fine sandy beach, where Bubs, 

 hy one lucky shot, secured seven fine fat ducks. 



This was found to be a very pretty place. A fresh water swamp 

 ■extends inland, and in the wet season this would form a good stream 

 Tunning into the sea. A patch of jungle exists here, and the flowers 

 were numerous and beautiful. There were many old camp fires and 

 ■shells of the giant cockle lying about. A fire was started near us, and 

 ■our boys declared that the wild natives were close by. We could not 

 ^nd the garden on that side so we pulled round into King's Cove again, 

 seeing two turtles en route, and landed on the southern side of Garden 

 Point at an old landing-place, where some timbers of a jetty were stand- 

 ing. Perfectly sound sawn logs were piled on the bank close by : they 

 were about 80 years old, and had resisted decay and the white ants. 

 Again the hunt for the garden was unsuccessful, and we returned to 

 the lugger. Next morning we pulled across to Harris Island, about a 

 mile. The tide was running very strongly, and it was a very hard row. 

 The island consists of a small stonv plateau, about 15ft. above high- 

 water mark, mangroves round the edge, and trees and jungle in the 

 middle. Some of the trees were at least 70ft. high, and parasitical 

 m2 



