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rapidly decreasing in numbers, and their extinction is only a matter of time. This result invariably follows the encroachment of civilized peoples upon the territory of the lower races of mankind, and this State shows no indication of being an exception. From the settled districts the natives have already almost entirely disappeared, and while they still remain in some force in the north-west, the growth of settlement is beginning to make itself felt. Unfortunately the operation of natural law is, as usual, being accelerated by the natives themselves in the ease with which they accept drunkenness and other social vices of civilization, notwithstanding the efforts of the Government to keep these evil influences from them. But so long as they are still among us we have certainly a duty to perform toward them, and although it is popularly said that "gin and the Bible" are the greatest civilizing agencies of the British, there is no doubt that in the colonization of Australia the protection and care of the aborigines has never been lost sight of by the Home authorities, a policy that has been adopted and extended by the colonies themselves.

Ever since the foundation of the State in 1829 there have been continual endeavours on the part of both the authorities and public and private benefactors to improve the material as well as the moral and spiritual welfare of the native population. That in the latter direction only a very modified form of success has been achieved is due to the low intellectual state of the natives themselves, which provides but poor foundations upon which to build.

Government action has necessarily been limited to the material side of native life in the way of preventing tribal and other disturbances, of prohibiting the sale or gift of intoxicating liquors, of preventing miscegenation and other social evils where possible, of affording relief and comfort where required, and of securing justice and fair treatment for the native in his dealings with the whites. As far back as 1830 Protectors of Aborigines were appointed whose special duty it was to take care that the aborigines did not lack food and were not subjected to injustice and indignity at the hands of those who had seized their territory, a fact that speaks for the British sense of right, especially when we remember that the little colony had so much to fear from the hordes of savages that infested the neighbourhood of the settlement. In 1839 Governor Hutt drew the attention of the Home Government to the injustice of punishing the aborigines according to the canons of civilized law, and recommended that legislation of a special character be passed to control them.

In 1871 the Legislative Council reported that it was desirable to appropriate grants of land to aboriginals. In 1875 an Act was passed giving powers to the principals of native industrial institutions to act as trustees to orphan native children, and in 1877 a reserve of 50,000 acres was made in the Murchison Valiev for the benefit of the aboriginals, as well as 100,000 acres on the Upper Gascoyne. The latter, however, was subsequently (1897) withdrawn and 100,000 acres on the Forrest River, Kimberley, substituted for it. In 1886 an Act was passed authorizing the establishment of a Board for thee better protection of the aborigines and the management of aboriginal affairs, and to amend the law relating to contracts with and other matters affecting aboriginal servants.

In 1897 a Bill, which went still farther, was passed by both Houses of the Legislature. By this enactment the control of the aborigines was transferred from the irresponsible Board to a sub-department of the State, under the control of a responsible Minister of the Crown, provision being made for the appropriation of a sum of £5,000 per annum for the use of the department. The duties of the department were to apportion the moneys above mentioned, so as to distribute blankets and other relief, to provide for the custody of the children of aboriginals, to furnish medical assistance and comforts to sick and infirm natives, to manage the reserves, and to exercise a general supervision and care over the native population of the State.

This sum was increased to £10,000 in 1906, and has since been still further added to by annual votes, until in 1910 the total amount expended by the Government on behalf of the aborigines amounted to £25,500. In the same year three small stations near Hall Creek were purchased by the State and set apart as the first native settlement. The area of this settlement is about 860,000 acres, and it contains over 11,000 cattle and horses. It is estimated that some 600 natives will come within its influence, and it is hoped that its establishment will diminish, if not stop, the crime of cattle-stealing.

One of the most difficult questions concerning the natives, more especially those in the north, which the authorities have to face is that of contagious diseases. These diseases are so prevalent that the Government has recently been compelled to give serious consideration to the matter. In order to diminish the effects of, and where possible cure those suffering from, such diseases Lock hospitals have been erected on Bernier and Dorré Islands, to which infected natives are taken for treatment. The value of these institutions may be gauged from the concluding paragraph of the Medical Superintendent's report for 1910:—"The work among the men has been very encouraging, and when the new hospitals are available the prospects of a fair percentage of good results are assured. When it is realized that almost every case sent home cured has been rescued from certain death the State may be congratulated on this practical method of recognizing its responsibility for the welfare of these dispossessed heirs of the soil."

In addition to the work carried on directly by the department there are missions established by various ecclesiastical bodies. All of these, which are noticed