Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 62]
[Printed on left column of 2]
ABORIGINES FRIENDS ASSOCIATION.
1864
(Abridged from the S.A Register, June 23)
The annual meeting of the Aborigines' Friends Association was held in the Pulteney-street Schoolroom Adelaide on Wednesday evening, June 22, About 15 persons were present.
His Lordship the Bishop of Adelaide presided. He said he had accepted with much satisfaction the invitation to reside on that occasion, as he had always felt a deep interest in the spiritual and social welfare of the aboriginal population of the colony. He spoke of his own intercourse with the natives and their condition and trusted that the work of evangelisation would proceed with increased vigour. Thus having expressed his own feelings he said he hoped to hear of the indefatigable labours of the Superintendent of the Institution of Point Macleay, Mr Taplin. His Lordship referred to the untiring exertions of Archdeacon Hale the late Superintendent of the Poonindee Institute in the same direction, and related an anecdote concerning an aborigine whose death had occurred in the hospital and who he believed died a sincere and intelligent Christian. There were many other instances of a similar nature. He did not suppose that because they had given the natives something of the refinement of civilisation they believed the savage propensities of the aborigne [aborigine] were entirely eliminated; but still they had seen many who had been brought from the power of darkness to understand the truths of the Gospel. He had no doubt Mr Taplin would interest them by the narration of some facts which had come under his observation; therefore he would not detain them.
The Rev. F.R.W. Cox the Secretary to the Association, read the report which stated that their valued agent, Mr George Taplin, who was taken with alarming symptoms at the early part of the year and compelled to withdraw from all active duty at the Missions Station. In giving Mr. Taplin leave of absence for three months the committee thought they were doing the best thing to promote his complete recovery, and were fortunate enough to find in the Rev. John Roberts an able supply during his absence. Mr Taplin has since resumed his important labours at the station at Point Macleay with every prospect of continued ability for their effectual discharge. Two lads from the school have been in domestic service and have conducted themselves to the satisfaction of their employers. Several applications for young people to go out to service are now under consideration; in one case a tradesman in the south seeks a boy and his sister, the one to learn the useful trade of saddler, and the girls to serve in the house. Among the good effects of the education given to the young Mr Taplin observes that the power of native superstition is considerably broken, so that the terrors of magic and witchcraft lose all their power over the young. The school instruction given to the young by the agent and his assistant Mr A Stapley is of the character usually given to white children of the same age with of course some allowance for the difference of circumstances; and the ability of the children is clearly evinced in their aptness to acquire the ordinary elements of school instruction.
During the year a considerable enlargement of the school premises has been made by roofing over the open space formed by the centre and wings of the former building thus giving a large airy schoolroom instead of the former confined one; and it is now in contemplation to make some addition to the very limited house accommodation of your agent.
[printed on right column of page]
"In a recent letter Mr. Taplin says, after referring to his illness; - "I have had many trials and discouragements to contend with, and I feel that it is cause for deep thankfulness that these circumstances have passed away with so little injury to the cause. I have lately returned to my work with a more thorough conviction than ever I had that we have the prayers and sympathies of the Churches of Christ in this colony enlisted on behalf of these natives, with a more sanguine expectation that, through the supplications of the Redeemer's people the set time to favour the aborigines will soon come.
Among the encouragements which we have to rejoice in it is certainly not a small one that at the present time portion of the Word of God, in their own language, are now read by a class of native boys and girls in the school. I cannot adequately describe to you the joy of these children when they found the printed book contained - not English the foreign language, but their own familiar speech. They now quite look forward with pleasure every day to the time for reading "blackfellow's language," We have, too, certainly cause for gladness in that the labour of the natives has during the past year produced some small contribution towards the expenses of the Institution Our crop of wheat though only of seven acres, was a real blessing, as it came in so opportunely. We have just finished ploughing and sewing 20 acres of wheat and three acres of green feed for the dairy cows. May the blessing of the God of harvests rest upon it. In these agricultural operations the natives clear the land and fence it. We had however a white man to hold the plough and do the sowing. Mr. G. Taplin, the Superintendent of the Point Macleay Institution after several other speeches had been made said he had often asked himself what was their duty in reference to the aborigines, and was convinced it was to see that the aborigines did not suffer by the introduction of Europeans In his capacity of Superintendent he had felt it his duty to look after their physical and spiritual welfare. He had implored Divine help; and if he had succeeded the success was to be attributed to the Divine assistance and blessing; they were not to praise him. He then alluded to the temporal wellbeing of the natives dwelling on the shore of the Lake, and said that the tribes with whom he was directly connected were five in number, the names of whom he mentions, as also those of other tribes with whom he was occasionally acquainted. They called him their Governor and he looked upon them as his blacks. He referred to the period when he first went amongst them, and to the miserable condition they were then in. He applied to the Government for provisions &c., and they responded, and ever since that time efforts on their behalf had been continued. when Europeans first landed the natives were in a much better position than they were now. They told him that "before the whitefellows came plenty hunting" which in consequence of the long grass being eaten by the cattle, now affords but a very precarious mode of existence. There were at the present time at Point Macleay about 300 aborigines, who in return for work received food and clothing. The infirm and aged were supplied with medicines and clothing, and in other respects cared for It was the principle of the Institution never to give the natives anything but what they worked for; last year the wheat grown by the natives realised £30. He referred to that as a proof that they endeavoured to educate the children in a proper manner. Many were able to read and write with tolerable ease, and it became a serious question as to what they were to do