THE NATIVES. 
189 
I fell in with different parties of natives. From the 
last of these I obtained some distressing statements, 
as to the slaughter of the blacks ; they gave me the 
names of seven individuals shot by Mr. Frances 
within the last six months. I found, however, no 
legal evidence attainable. The only persons present 
in the last and most serious affair with the Aborigines, 
which took place in December of last year, were 
Frances, a person named Downes, and a stock- 
keeper in Melbourne. No other admissible evidence 
of the death of these poor people can be obtained 
than what Frances’s written statement conveys. In 
that he reports that he and the person before named 
went out in consequence of seeing the hush on fire, 
and fell in suddenly with some natives , on whom 
they fired and killed four. The natives say six were 
slain, and their information on that point is more to 
be depended on. Owing to the legal disabilities of 
the Aborigines, this case must be added with many 
others which have passed without judicial notice. 
I cannot, however, but wish that squatting licenses 
were withheld from persons who manifest such an 
utter disregard of human life as Mr. Frances, even 
on his own shewing, has done.’ 
“ And in this latter sentiment, under existing cir- 
cumstances, I most cordially agree. In Frances’ 
case, the perpetrator admits his having shot four 
Aborigines , and for aught that is shewn to the con- 
trary, it was an unprovoked aggression. The 
natives, whose testimony Mr. Parker states, can be 
