324 Timehri. 
does he seem to cherish rancour in his heart agamst those who have 
wronged him. In a word, the Aboriginal is a child that needs the protect- 
ing and strong arm of a father to defend him against his “civilised” 
brethren of the human race as well as against himself. As a rule, the 
Indian can make many useful articles, such as baskets, matapi, paddles, 
&e., &c., but there is little encouragement for him to do so on any large 
scale ; he finds he gets so little for “his work. As a workman, he is 
excellent in cutting down and clearing bush land, none better in the 
colony. Many prefer him to others as a hand on their grants ; he is quiet 
and works if not at high pressure at least fairly satisfactorily. But he 
cannot be depended on for long. Soon he must have a rest or visit his 
friends or some such other excuse which all come to the same thing; he 
wants a change and to be his own master again, Itisin the blood. As boat- 
man, however, the Indian is perhaps seen at his best. He will paddle 
for long spells with wonderful perseverance, as long as he gets his food 
and his rest. Judging from this, one would conclude they had remarkable 
staying powers, but, as a matter of fact, paddling is a comparatively easy 
form of work while their rythmical and varied method makes it easier 
still, just as marching in step makes long walking easier. A pleasing 
feature is their quietness ; they will chat and Jaugh and joke while they 
are paddling but all is done without noise or disturbance. Added to all 
these good points comes his docility. One need never fear a “row.” 
If the Indian sees trouble coming he determines either to bear it, or slips 
away and so evades it. 
Of course, in what I have written I am speaking of the Moruca 
Indians and those belonging to the Santa Rosa Mission, for of them alone 
do I know anything. From what has been just said it will be seen that 
among the Indians pre-eminently is that saying true, viz., ‘“ that the child 
is the father of the man.” What was said of the little Indian children 
may be also said with slight modifications and additions of the adult. 
Indeed the latter are largely grown-up children. They are, indeed, very 
kind to the little ones, too kind in fact, so that these get a great deal too 
much of their own way ; if they do not like a thing, to go to school to- 
day or to-morrow for example, or to take medicine, etc., they get their 
own way ; this is, I believe, the reason why they, boys as well as girls, 
are so soft and rather babyish. 
| can imagine readers of this article saying that the Indians of 
Santa Rosa Mission seem to have no or few faults. I would not like to 
say that. [| have spoken of these rather from their own standpoint, 
taking them in their concrete surroundings ; to take them out of these 
and then judge them is well enough if you want to find out how they 
compare with ideal humanity, but not otherwise. They have their 
faults like everybody else and less than some of their “ civilised ” 
fellow beings. ‘Their weakness for drink is too well known to need 
heing dwelt on here, but they get only ‘too much encouragement from 
the bad example of the superior white man in this matter. They 
may seem selfish and stingy, but who would be lavish or generous who 
