440 
DEFECTS OF THE 
it is difficult to say what are the advantages held out 
to the natives by the schools, since they have no 
opportunity of turning their instruction to account, 
and must from necessity relapse again to the con- 
dition of savages, when they leave school. Taken 
as children from their parents, against the wishes of 
the latter, there are not means sufficient at the 
schools for keeping them away from the ill effects 
of the example and society of the most abandoned 
of the natives around. They are not protected 
from the power or influence of their parents and 
relatives, who are always encouraging them to leave, 
or to practise what they have been taught not to do. 
The good that is instilled one day is the next 
obliterated by evil example or influence. They 
have no future openings in life which might lead 
them to become creditable and useful members of 
disposition of these people, in youth as in older years, incapaci- 
tate them from any long continued exertions, whether of learn- 
ing or labour, whilst from the roving lives of the parents in search 
of food, the children, if received into the schools, must be 
entirely supported at the public expense. This limits the sphere 
of our operations, by restricting the number of the scholars who 
can thus be taken charge of. Through the kindly co-operation 
of the Wesleyan Society at Perth, and the zealous pastoral ex- 
ertions of the Rev. Mr. King at Fremantle, the schools at both 
these places have been efficiently maintained ; but in the country, 
and apart from the large towns, to wTiich the Aborigines have 
an interest in resorting in large numbers for food and money, 
the formation of schools of a lasting character will be for some 
time a work of doubt and of difficulty.” 
