38 On the Condition and Prospects 



Mission at Buntingdale. — This Wesleyan Mission, which had in 

 vain laboured to effect some change in the habits and religious senti- 

 ments of the Aborigines, was within the last three years about to be 

 abandoned as an unsuccessful attempt, when it occurred to the Rev. 

 Mr Tuckfield, one of the missionaries, to try a new principle of 

 management with these untractable tribes. This was simply to sepa- 

 rate the different tribes, and maintain them distinct and isolated, 

 alike from the white population, and from one another. Buntingdale 

 is a retired spot about thirty-five miles to the south west of Geelong, 

 and remote from any principal thoroughfare. Mr Tuckfield appears 

 to have selected one of the tribes of that locality. There are at 

 present (1845) about fifty Aborigines attached to that mission. 



Its Success. — The results of this experiment appear to have ex- 

 ceeded expectation. The natives have remained on the place. Some 

 of them have built slab huts for themselves ; others have made their 

 own shirts and trousers. Some of the young men have become ex- 

 pert at fencing, ploughing, reaping, &c. ; others have shepherded, 

 washed, and shorn small flocks of sheep — contributions from neigh- 

 bouring settlers. From these successful beginnings, Mr Dredge is 

 so sanguine as to anticipate that the mission will ere long even more 

 than defray its own expenses, and assist in the formation of other 

 missions. 



Plans and Alterations proposed. — Experience of plans, and more 

 accurate knowledge of the habits and character of the Aborigines, 

 have combined to give a somewhat definite and mutually accordant 

 aspect to the methods that have latterly been suggested. The plan of 

 the Protectorate appears to have been in error chiefly in the attempt 

 to amalgamate different tribes, without respect to their long-standing 

 mutual antipathies and prejudices. * It appears, indeed to be quite 

 as necessary to separate and remove the respective tribes from one 

 another, as to isolate the whole body from the whites. Mr Robinson 

 admits, with reference to the Protectorate operations, that it is ques- 

 tionable how far it may be advisable thus to congregate large num- 

 bers of Aborigines, unless teachers, as originally intended by Govern- 

 ment, were appointed to promote among them the knowledge and 

 practice of Christianity. 



Mr Dredge recommends that Missions be established in each of 

 the most numerous and powerful of the tribes; and that the location 

 of the respective Missions be as remote as possible from purchased 

 lands and squatting stations, and also from one another, so as to 



''• Mr Parker, Assistant Protector of Aborigines, denies that the principle of 

 the Protectorate differs so essentially from that pursued at Buntingdale, as Mr 

 Dredge makes it appear. All the difference Mr Parker can find is, that whereas 

 as Mr Tuckfield's exertions are limited to fifty individuals ; there are from 250 

 to 300 immediately connected with his own station, all of whom have been held 

 together without any sacrifice of life, or even the occurrence of bloodshed. — 

 1'arker, quoted by Robinson, 18. 



