NEW SOUTH WALES. 265 



station, which at first sight appeared like a comfortable farm-house, 

 such as is often seen in our western country. Mr. Threlkeld was 

 found busy attending to his cattle, and gave them a warm and 

 friendly reception, which made them at once feel at home. 



As Mr. Threlkeld has occupied a conspicuous place in this colony, 

 it may be well to give a short sketch of his labours in the missionary 

 field, in order to show the progress he has made, and the difficulties 

 he has had to contend with. I do this more readily from the feeling 

 that great injustice has been done him, and that he has suffered much 

 contumely and persecution from those who were too prone to listen to 

 the scandalous reports of interested individuals. 



Mr. Threlkeld left England in 1814, as a missionary to the Society 

 Islands ; he resided with Mr. Williams, at Raiatea, until 1824, when 

 the death of his wife determined him to pay a visit to England. 

 About this time the inspectors of missionaries, Messrs Tyerman and 

 Bennet, arrived at the islands, and he took passage with them to 

 Sydney. On their arrival at Sydney, these gentlemen, supposing 

 that a favourable opportunity offered to establish a mission among the 

 Australian aborigines, requested him to take charge of it, which he 

 consented to do. Moreton Bay was at first proposed as the location, 

 but it was afterwards changed to Lake Macquarie, the latter place 

 being a favourite resort of the natives. Ten thousand acres were 

 granted by government to the Missionary Society, in trust for the 

 natives. The establishment was accordingly begun on this lake, on 

 the opposite side to that now occupied by Mr. Threlkeld, who at 

 once planned his station on the only footing by which he thought 

 a reasonable chance of success would be insured, that of a farming 

 establishment, extensive enough to give employment to the natives, 

 and induce them to settle. Their number, as is usually the case, had 

 been greatly overrated ; he soon, however, collected about fifty around 

 him, and began to employ them in felling trees, turning up the 

 ground, and building ; at the same time labouring with them himself, 

 in order to obtain such a knowledge of their character, language, 

 habits, &c, as might enable him to become useful on the great 

 subjects of his mission. 



The expense of forming such an establishment was far greater than 

 had been anticipated, but was indispensable in a country like New 

 South Wales, where all the necessaries of life, at the commencement 

 of a settlement, have to be purchased. Added to this are the droughts 

 to which they are subject, and the expenses of transportation. 



