ON THE ABORIGINES. 
505 
the mere idea of doing something ; which would be injurious to 
the natives, as interfering with other and more advantageous 
arrangements, and unjust to the colony, as continuing an 
unnecessary and profitless expenditure. 
“To this conclusion I had been led by your despatch, No. 50, 
but anticipating that the protectorate system would promise more 
beneficial results, I postponed my instructions in the matter 
until I should receive some further information. 
“Your despatches of the 16th and 20th May have furnished 
that further information, although they contradict the hopes 
which I had been led to entertain. After the distinct and un- 
equivocal opinion announced by Mr. La Trobe, supported as it 
is by the expression of your concurrence, I cannot conceal from, 
myself that the failure of the system of protectors has been at 
least as complete as that of the missions. 
“ I have no doubt that a portion of this ill success, perhaps a 
large portion, is attributable to the want of sound judgment and 
zealous activity on the part of the assistant protectors. Thus 
the practice of collecting large bodies of the natives in one spot, 
and in the immediate vicinity of the settlers, without any pre- 
vious provision for their subsistence or employment, was a pro- 
ceeding of singular indiscretion. That these people would commit 
depredations rather than suffer want, and that thus ill-blood, 
and probably collisions, would be caused between them and the 
settlers, must, 1 should have thought, have occurred to any man of 
common observation ; and no one could have better reason than 
Mr. Sievewright to know his utter inability to control them. 
When such a course could be adopted, I am not surprised at 
your opinion that the measures of the protectors have tended 
‘ rather to increase than allay the irritation which has long 
existed between the two races.’ 
“ But after allowing for the effect of such errors, and for the 
possibility of preventing their recurrence, there is yet enough in 
Mr. LaTrobe’s reports to shew that the system itself is defective, 
at least in the hands of those whose services we are able to com- 
mand. I am unwilling, at this distance from the seene, and 
