526 PROCEEDINGS OF SECTION F. 



on hot ashes. When I visited the camp after these blacks were 

 brought in, they appeared very frightened and ran about like a 

 number of fowls, and peered at ns from behind trees and brush- 

 wood; the women and children all ran into the wurley and 

 huddled together so that only their heads could be seen. However, 

 I got the half-caste, who can speak their language a little, to fetch 

 old Nonnia out to us, and when the others saw we did him no 

 harm they seemed to be less afraid, and all came up to me when I 

 beckoned to them. They were particularly interested in my 

 clothes, and especially so with my watch, the works of which I 

 showed them. I saw two young babies slung on their mothers' 

 backs, and a couple of little boys about six or eight years of age. 

 The difficulty now presenting itself is what is to be done with 

 them. I understand the New South Wales Government have 

 given instructions for them to be let go, but I hardly think there is 

 much compulsion about their staying in the camp now : and it 

 would be wiser to get them to settle in on the water, where they 

 might be made some use of as rabbiters ; and, no doubt, the young 

 men would make expert horsemen with very little practice. On 

 the other hand, if allowed to stray back to their old haunts, and 

 being half civilised, they may become a nuisance. At present 

 there are three or four tame Idacks camped with them, and every 

 day the young men are taken out hunting to provide food for the 

 camj) ; the idea was to get them used to seeing the whites and 

 gradually work them into the river. I suppose when they reach 

 the grog shanty their education will be completed. It is to be 

 hoped they will soon be educated up to a decided taste for ' bimny.' 

 They will not eat bread, or use tea and sugar. Old Nonnia Avas 

 induced to eat a little sugar, but it made him sick. I have got 

 fi-om the New South Wales Government fourteen blankets for 

 them. I have also sent them some clothes and a few trinkets." 



