In these papers, written after a residence in the colony extended over a period of nearly forty years, which the compiler has spent in active colonial pursuits, have been recorded to the best of his ability the "experiences" of the working bees who have been in their varied employments contributing their quota to establish and build up new kingdom or dominion, and no class of events has caused him so much pain in relating as the collisions between the white intruders and the aboriginal races. The present number has to be occupied with the painful details of slaughtered detached settlers engaged in peaceful pastoral callings in the Port Lincoln district.

The first and unprovoked case of murder was committed on Master Frank Hawson, youngest son of a respectable and early inhabitant of the town of Port Lincoln, and brother of Captain Hawson, so well known in the early days as captain of the Abeona. This courageous youth was under 13 years of age, and happened to be left alone in the hut on their station, situated seven miles from the township, in the early part of the month of March, 1840. The sad occurrence was entirely unexpected as the most friendly dispositions had been to all appearance mutually entertained by both the white and colored races towards each other.

This fine and bold boy was surrounded in the hut by 22 men and two boys. He was pierced through by a war spear. On receiving this (which ultimately proved his death wound) he seized a gun and shot one native; the remainder retired, carrying away the wounded man. Master F. Hawson survived the wound eight days and then expired. After great sufferings he gave descriptions and names of some of his assailants, but for want of further evidence none of them were brought to justice by process of law.

The object of the attack no doubt was plunder, and the hut had been watched until they knew the poor boy was alone, and they supposed he would from fear offer no resistance to their plundering intentions. There have been no trials or experiences more severe in forming settlements on the continent of New Holland than have arisen in occupying country and displacing the aboriginal inhabitants.

In collating the incidents which appear in these chapters which are most sensational and distressing, they form only a part of what has happened, and seem to take place as a matter of course where a superior race appears to make a better use of a country than the primitive inhabitants have done.

On March the 28th, 1842, intelligence was received in Adelaide that, on the 2nd of the same month, Mr. John Brown and his hutkeeper, a boy of the name of Lovelock, were barbarously murdered on Mr. Brown's station, not far from Port Lincoln. Mr. Brown was for the time a large sheep farmer. At the commencement of the attack, in resisting his assailants, he knocked one of them down with the butt end of his gun, but he was soon over-powered by numbers, and fell, after receiving several wounds; he afterwards struggled and got upon his knees, and whilst in the attitude of prayer he was dispatched. Although great exertions were made to bring his murderers to justice, they were not caught and punished in the ordinary way.

In the early part of the following month of April an attack was made by 40 or 50 natives on the station of Mr. Biddle, a few miles from the locality of the previous murders, and, as is pretty certain, by the same unpunished bloody aggressors. Mr. Biddle was on the station, and had with him in his employ one man as shepherd, named Jas. Fastings, and an aged married couple of the name of Stubbs. When the party saw the natives approaching the hut, Jas. Fastings was passing from a fowlshed; the blacks threw several spears at him, and he received a spear wound in one of his legs, when he returned to the hut as quickly as he was able. The time was midday. The blacks soon surrounded the hut. They next pulled up some of the paling fence, which enclosed a small garden, and then returned, but returned in about an hour; on which the man Fastings left the hut to release the dog, and exposed himself with remarkable courage to another flight of their war spears, and received one which pierced one of his arms, when he again gained the cover of the hut.

Now the determined assailants set fire to the tarpaulin which formed the roof of the dwelling (they had left to provide themselves with fire-sticks) and threw spears through the open window into the hut. Mr. Biddle fired two pistols at them and immediately received a spear wound in the heart and dropped dead.

The old man Stubbs, who was standing by the side of his master, then fired a double-barrelled gun, and killed one and wounded another native. Stubbs then went to endeavour to relieve Fastings of the spears which were in his limbs, when several spears entered the hut, and he was brought to the ground where he laid for a time in a state of insensibility. In a few moments Fastings fell dead across Stubbs.

Prior to this the poor old woman, his wife, had secreted herself under one of the beds; she was 69 years old. The murderous blacks now entered and soon found the poor old woman, and, after dragging her out from her cover, put an end to her life by stabbing her in various parts of her body with a pair of shears. They now went out and procured hatchets, with which they shattered the heads of those whom they had already killed in such a shocking manner that their countenances were completely destroyed.

As the head of Stubbs was covered by the prostrate body of the shepherd he providentially escaped death, although on his becoming sensible he felt himself faint with loss of blood from his numerous wounds. He took care to simulate death until the wretches departed, after clearing the dwelling of all they could carry away. It is quite evident that the white men deferred action until the natives had approached the premises too near, and had become the actual assailants. It is safe for persons who never expose themselves to be attacked by wild natives to say they must not have shots fired at them until they actually cast their spears, but here is an example of the consequence of such forbearance. I shall at the close of this publish an instruction from Captain Grey to Major O'Halloran on this point.

To return to the survivor. As soon as he was able he arranged the bodies as well as he could, and managed to crawl to the nearest station, which belonged to Mr. White. He there found Mr. Driver, the Resident Magistrate, who soon formed a party, and started off after the depredators and overtook them about four miles from the place where they had so far accomplished their horrid work. On seeing a strong party approaching they bolted, but did not get clear off without leaving one of their number, who was fetched down by a distant shot, and "bit the dust." They abandoned all their plunder — flour, silver spoons, &c, &c. .

Immediately after the above distressing news reached Adelaide a deputation of gentlemen waited on Governor Grey, viz., Messrs. Knott, Bentham Neales, Smith, and Bennett, and in consequence of their urgency a party of soldiers of the 96th Regiment, two companies of which were quartered in Adelaide, were sent. Lieut. Hugonin had under him one sergeant and 15 privates.

After their arrival at Port Lincoln they were marched out on an expedition against the tribes which had committed the murders and depredations. The party were supplied with a bullock-dray and team, also horses to carry provisions, baggage, &c, by Captain Hawson, who also accompanied the party to guide and direct the commander in his actions in endeavoring to capture prisoners of the offending tribes or families. This party was out three months; as the soldiers were all on foot, the natives, even when found, escaped in the scrub, and with the greatest ease avoided capture. The only result was the shooting of three of the blacks. This was a most unsatisfactory result of the expedition.

At the time the orders were given to despatch such a party, strong remarks were made in the papers of the day, and decided opinions were expressed by colonists in Adelaide on the had policy of the orders given. It will be felt, on comparing the upshot of this expedition, sent out by Governor Grey, with the one under Major O'Halloran, despatched by Governor Gawler against the Milemnura tribes or families, how unreasonable was the outcry raised against the previous Government measures.

The detachment under Lieut. Hugonin was left at Port Lincoln some time. I have the advantage of the use of the diary of Major O'Halloran during the time he was subsequently out in the Port Lincoln district to endeavor to catch and hold natives, naked and greasy, in which he gives his opinion as to the use of a party of regulars of the infantry when employed on such service.

Before the military were recalled by their Colonel, they were out a second time, accompanied by Mr. Driver, S.M., and three mounted troopers, on which occasion one native was shot. By these measures the natives were thoroughly frightened, and for some time no more murders occurred. Before the removal of the soldiers Major O'Halloran and a party of mounted police were sent from Adelaide, and were out six weeks.

I now make extracts from the Major's diary : —

" Nov. 7th, 1842. Embarked at Port Adelaide with Inspector Tolmer, in the Alpha, cutter, for Port Lincoln, and reached our destination on the 10th. I found to my great regret that Mr. Driver, the Resident, had taken the police party into the country, in search of the blacks who had been guilty of the late murders. I was making arrangements for immediately following, when the return of Mr. Driver prevented my doing so. He had left the party on their return; they had been absent one week. They yesterday fell in by accident with 21 natives, all of whom escaped except two, who were in charge of the police on their way in as prisoners. Both of these blackfellows have been identified as being concerned in the late murders.

" I decide with the police to proceed in search of the other actual murderers, who belong to the Midland or Battara tribe, amongst whom the Missionary Protector, says there are not more than 30 fighting men. Port Lincoln appears at present a deserted place, more than half the houses, have been abandoned, and the remainder are barricaded to protect the occupants against the attacks of the natives. I believe they have no more reason to fear an attack than the inhabitants of Adelaide have. The timid conduct of the settlers in leaving their stations, with a few honorable exceptions, has emboldened the natives. We must teach them to respect us, and give them high notions of our power and speed.

" The party consists of Inspector Tolmer and five constables, Mr. Driver, the Resident, Mr. Schurman, the Missionary Protector, and Messrs. Hawson and McEllister, who accompany me as volunteers. I notified to the party the orders I had received from His Excellency as to our conduct towards the aborigines. Before I started I had a long consultation with the Protectors, who exhibited great reluctance to accompany the party when he became acquainted with the strict orders under which the party were held to act. He at length consented to join the party; nevertheless, if he had declined I should have used my powers and compelled him to proceed as interpreter. His original residence was at Happy Valley, where he had cultivated a small patch of ground, and had a promising crop of wheat growing, but, in fear of the natives, had taken up his residence in the township.

" A Protector is of no use if he is afraid to live and mix amongst the natives to whom he has been sent. To place himself between the settlers and aboriginals, and to mediate and reconcile differences, and by his politic training to lead those among whom he should be able at all times to mix and to exercise pacific habit—such as a man so placed would do more to keep up peaceful relations be-tween the white and colored races than sections of military or police forces."

" The men of the 96th Regiment have nothing earthly to do ; such quarters are enough to ruin them, and to induce and set up habits quite foreign to all those that ought to distinguish a British soldier. They should be relieved every three months. I pity the poor fellows greatly who are ordered here."

The following is an extract from a memorandum made by Major O'Halloran after an interview with the Governor, April 18, 1842, and certified :—

"Having sought for instructions from His Excellency to guide me in case I might be called on, during his contemplated visit with Captain Frome to Lake Albert, to proceed against the blacks if they continued troublesome in the North, I asked the Governor what would be the extent of any powers and instructions if sent on such a service ? He replied that I must treat the blacks if armed and likely to resist as I would any hostile party who were resisting the law ; and that I should be fully justified in becoming the aggressor in such a case; or if I thought the life of a single individual of my own party was threatened or endangered, I must act with vigor, until all resistance ceased. The Governor further added that the law might have to decide upon the legality of such proceedings. I might rest assured that the Government would give me every support and protection in their power.— T. O'Halloran, Commissioner of Police."

Major O'Halloran started from the township with the before-mentioned party on the 14th of November, twelve in number, to the country north-west of the township, with one of the prisoners named Moullier, who was caught, and brought in by Mr. Driver's party. He promised to lead us to the waters where the tribe would be likely to be found. He was placed on the back of a pony, and made fast by a chain looped round the neck of the animal he rode. A friendly black named Utulla, who had been depended on to guide the party, was missing.

The first day Pillaworta Water was made— 30 miles. Here two police were left with stores in charge. The next day the several men of the detachment were supplied with three days' provisions, and guided by the prisoner made a start. Towards evening they came upon a place where the natives had been recently encamped, and where a patch of grass had been fired a few hours before. The prisoner said they had gone north.

The Major in his diary says : —

''Here I had the misfortune to drop my watch on a rock — the only watch in the party. This day we were nine hours on horseback ; the sun powerfully hot ; flies most tormenting; distance travelled 28 or 30 miles.

"Next day had much thunder and lightning. After riding sharp a few miles came in sight of and gave chase to a number of natives. On coming up with them, found our missing friend Utulla, who ought to have been with us. Intimated to these friendly blacks that we sought the murderers only, and desired to be at peace with all other blackfellows. These blacks took us to a waterhole where we refreshed man and cattle. They told us the part of the tribe with whom were four of the murderers (whose names they gave, and which corresponded with some of the men who were on the list we had) were ahead of us, so ordered an advance at speed. We had already travelled miles enough to fatigue our horses, and made out we would have to travel 25 miles before we could reach the next water.

" Mr. Tolmer was suffering from the effects of a fall he had experienced on his late expedition to Mount Arden, in the far North, but I could not allow him to return back alone. We were now about 65 miles from the township. At 1 p.m. the party mounted and continued chiefly through scrub, and sometimes on the beach of the Gulf. To our great joy we came upon a rock waterhole filled with recent rain, and carefully covered up with fresh cut green boughs, proving the natives were not far ahead. Saw this day many kangaroos and emus. After refreshing at this water, kept on at a sharp pace, and at about 4 o'clock saw about a mile in advance of us a mob of retreating blacks, to whom we gave chase over a terribly rough and scrubby country, but only caught one man. In this last gallop through high scrub, three of the party lost their swords, dragged out of their scabbards in tearing through high and strong bushes. We found the man we had taken was not one of the offenders, and so he was allowed to follow his friends, with the assurance we gave before to the others. He informed us we had passed two of the men we wanted, who had secreted themselves in a thick part of the scrub. We returned to the chance water, after being in the saddle over 10 hours.

" Thursday; 17th November. — Returned to the depot, a distance of from 48 to 50 miles by the shortest course we could take. Our native guide or prisoner, poor wretch, must have been greatly astonished at his rapid ride, frequently tumbling out of the saddle. His nag was led by a trooper laterally ; he held on, one hand grasping the pommel and the other the crupper. Memo.— I must not forget to represent to the Governor and Judge how faithfully he has acted as a guide, while Utulla had been unable to act, as he was under the process of being made a man and a warrior by his tribe.

" Friday, 18th.—Mr. Tolmer left the party for Port Lincoln to obtain medical advice and to embark for Adelaide, having with him a despatch to the Secretary, Mr. Mundy.

" 19th.—Mr. Driver left the party. All busy washing and mending torn garments and cleaning our bodies.

" 20th.—Left the depot, party now eight in number, on a W.N.W. course. The black guide has now to tramp on foot, much apparently to his satisfaction, as the pony's back was seriously galled. After passing over several miles found no blacks; now travelling nearly due west. Moullier says this party must be in hiding, aware of our approach. He knows the whole of the natives now, in this part of his country, and that his lubra and children are with them. He has no fear we shall hurt his family. He says four of the murderers are with this section of the tribe.

" After 20 miles, mostly through scrub, we arrived at several salt lakes, and now perceived ahead of us two smokes, and made a dash onwards. On coming up to the fires, found the birds flown. In the deserted wurlies, amongst other abandoned properties, was a fresh skin of a kangaroo. We were now 35 or 40 miles from the depot; the natives had abandoned spears in their hasty flight; the horsemen divided into parties, and rode round the nearest lakes; tracks of the run-aways were after some time found, where they had waded through the shallow lakes; and so if we had come up in sight of them, horsemen could not have followed through the lakes with rotten boggy bottoms, and the only course to stop them was by the use of firearms, which I should not have re-sorted to."

After this second failure to secure any of the murderers, the Major adds:—

" One source of consolation I have, that this party has come across and greatly alarmed the whole of the Battara tribe, and visited all their usual haunts, by which much good may have been done in alarming the tribe and in giving confidence to the settlers.

"I do not consider myself justified in entering on the country of the Coffin Bay tribe, which is immediately to the south of us, which tribe has done the settlers no harm except in the case of the murder of young Hawson about two years ago. I am not sure that the tribe has not suffered at the hands of the white settlers. We are now about 55 miles from Port Lincoln, from whence we have been absent nine days.

"Friday, 24th. — Embarked in the cutter Alph with two prisoners in charge. Owing to foul winds had to land horses and men at Yankalilla, and made head-quarters on the 29th."

And so ends this expedition. It had been well if the anticipations of the gallant Major had been realised as to the effect of his scouring the country of the Battara tribe and had extended to other tribes. A reference to a return from the Sheriff to Parliament opens a black record of the execution of 12 natives from the Port Lincoln side, at several times within ten years of the Major's, return for murders of white people engaged in pastoral pursuits or in exploring, of which particulars will be given hereafter. (To be continued.)