196 
WRONGS OF 
robbing a stranded vessel. An investigation was 
made into this case by the Commissioner of Police, 
when it was stated in the depositions, that attempts 
at rescue were made by the other natives. Upon 
these grounds, I believe, it was considered that the 
policeman was justified in what he did. 
The following extract relating to this subject, is 
from a letter addressed to a gentleman in Adelaide, 
by the Rev. C. Schurmann, one of the German Mis- 
sionaries, who has for some years past been sta- 
tioned among the Port Lincoln natives, and is inti- 
mately acquainted with their language.* 
“ You will probably recollect, that some time ago 
(I think it was in the month of May) the Adelaide 
newspapers contained a short notice of a Port Lin- 
coln native having been shot by the police in self- 
defence, and a letter in the ‘ Observer,’ mentioned 
another as being shot by Mr. , but as the cha- 
ritable correspondent added, ‘ Unfortunately only in 
the arm, instead of through the body.’ From these 
* Without adopting the tone of this letter, and which in some 
respects I cannot approve of, I believe the writer to be deeply 
interested in the welfare of the Aborigines, and strongly im- 
pressed with a conviction of the evils and injuries to which they 
are subject from our anomalous position with regard to them. 
I have quoted it, therefore, not for the purpose of casting im- 
putations on the Government, but to shew how powerless they 
are, and how frequently, under the existing system in force with 
respect to the Aborigines, those very measures which were con- 
ceived and entered upon with the best intentions, produce in 
their result the most unmitigated evils. 
