ions, especially the Darnley
Islanders--of whom Captain Edwards, of Sydney, who had a
"Bech-de-mer" fishing establishment there during the last year,
speaks in high terms as being of friendly dispositions and displaying
very considerable intelligence, living in comfortable huts and
cultivating yams, bananas, coconuts, etc., in considerable
quantities. Among these islanders I should think missionaries might
establish themselves without great difficulty, and with a
satisfactory result.

24. I think that the simple fact of a settlement of Europeans being
established at Cape York will very much tend to curb the savage
natures of the natives, not only of the mainland, but also of the
islands, and any unfortunates who may be cast among them from
shipwrecked vessels will, at all events, have their lives spared; and
I believe that, should such an event take place, I should soon hear
of it from the natives here. The communication between the islanders
and the natives of the mainland is frequent, and the rapid manner in
which news is carried from tribe to tribe to great distances is
astonishing. I was informed of the approach of H.M.S. Salamander on
her last visit two days before her arrival here. Intelligence is
conveyed by means of fires made to throw smoke up in different forms,
and by messengers who perform long and rapid journeys.

25. I should like much to send one or two of the Cape York natives
to Brisbane to remain there a short time. I believe that the reports
which they would bring back to their tribe of the wonders seen among
the white men would tend more than any other means to promote
friendly feelings towards us, and to fit their minds to receive
favourable impressions.

26. From what I have previously said of the soil here, it will be
seen that no large portion of it is suited for agriculture. Even
were the land good, the peculiar climate, which may be considered dry
for eight months in the year, would not permit satisfactory
cultivation to any large extent. During the rainy months, from
December to April, vegetables suitable to the temperature may be
grown in abundance.

27. Of the agreeableness and salubrity of the climate of Somerset, I
can not speak too favorably. The wet season commenced here last year
(1864) with the month of December, and continued till the latter part
of March. During that time the rain was intermittent, a day or two
of heavy wet being succeeded by fine weather. The win