The system is under the
supervision of an experienced official, entitled the "Chief Protector
of Aboriginals," and he tells a story which throws rays of light in more
than one direction.
A plump boy, who several months before had been consigned to a mission
station quite out of the neighbourhood, presented himself at the head
office, and with a rather rueful countenance answered a few of the
preliminary inquiries of the Protector. Confidence having been gained,
particular questions were asked.
"Yis," said the boy, "me bin stockrider belonga Yenda. Come down alonga
town have spell."
"But you belong to Fraser Island mission station!"
"Yis, me bin alonga that place."
"Why you no stop? That very good place."
"Nahr! No blurry good."
"You get plenty tucker--plenty everything that place!"
This provoked a trailing exclamation of dissent and disgust. "N-a-hr!
Blenty ask it--no get 'em. Ebery morning tell that big fella Boss (with
an upward jerk of the head) gib it daily-bread. Dinner-time tell it gib
it daily-bread. One time more alonga tea tell it that big fella Boss gib
it daily-bread."
"Well, you get plenty."
"N-a-hr! No get 'em.
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