This most honourable peculiarity, however, though doubtless attri- butable, in the first instance, to the per- sonal character and conduct of the early settlers, of whom an unusual proportion belonged to the better classes of society, and to the judicious policy pursued by the local government, appears to have been, nevertheless, in no small degree brought about by the very fact in other respects so injurious to the colony, namely, the sudden cessation of immigration, which not only left the same individuals to carry out the original system with regard to the savage, but rendered caution and forbearance, as well as firmness, obviously indispensable.

The settlers are reaping their well-merited fruits, in the perfect tranquillity they enjoy, and the very considerable assistance they receive from the coloured population.

So completely have the natives learned to appreciate their rights as British subjects, that they now appeal to the tribunal of the law in their differences with the " white fellows," and occasionally even in those with each other.

Of these, many are employed about the farms as herdsmen and messengers, and occasionally in reaping and harvest work, some, more regularly as servants; but in general, they refuse all hard or steady work, and no wages will induce them to forego any amusement, or to settle permanently in one place.

They are essentially creatures of impulse, absolutely devoid of any desire In a recent letter from Western Australia, dated March, 1850, is the following statement: " We run the mail to York, to Bunburry, and to Vasse once a week, with natives only.