TO FLINDERS ISLAND. 467 



Franklin Channel, where a number of sealers had 

 been resident for some years ; as, however, they 

 could not show any title to the land they cultivated, 

 except that of original occupancy — a title which I 

 think should be respected, as it is the only true 

 basis of the right of property — they were obliged 

 to vacate, leaving their huts and crops to be laid 

 waste. In the course of a few weeks, when con- 

 siderable mischief had been effected, this position, 

 likewise, was abandoned, and a location made 

 once more on the west side of Flinders, about 

 sixteen miles to the northward of Franklin Inlet. 



The Home Government directed that in this their 

 place of banishment every attention should be paid to 

 the wants of the aborigines, and a liberal scale of 

 necessaries provided. The officers of the establish- 

 ment originally consisted of the superintendent, 

 medical officer, catechist and store-keeper; but when 

 the buildings, &c. for the settlement, werecompleted, 

 the convicts were withdrawn, which diminished the 

 number so much, that it was deemed practicable to 

 reduce the staff of officers, and the whole duties of 

 the four departments above alluded to devolved on one 

 person, under the name of Surgeon-Superintendent. 

 The combination of so many duties has, unfor- 

 tunately, necessitated the neglect of some portion or 

 another, possibly of the most material. The Sab- 

 bath afternoon is the only time that can be set apart 

 for the reliirious instruction of the natives. This is 

 to be regretted, as we have ample evidence of how 



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