thus:—The Taa-Tatty and Lutchye-lutchye tribes, numbering 180, improperly included in Mr. Goodwin's return last year, are omitted in this; and, at Swan Hill, Mr. Green could find only 171 blacks, less by 44 than last year's return. The reduction, therefore, in the total sum is only 33.
Comparing the tables, district by district, it will be seen that the Southern is 1 less than last year. In the South-Western there is an increase of 71, which is thus accounted for: Franklinford, numbering 28, was omitted last year; and in other cases, more recently, careful returns made by the Honorary Correspondents have been substituted for those obtained by Mr. Green during his hasty visit to the Western district. The difference in the numbers for the North-Western district has been already explained; and those observed in the Northern, South-Eastern, and North-Eastern districts do not call for remark.
The figures in the table are sufficient to show that the Aborigines are not decreasing so rapidly as is generally supposed. If, instead of looking at the totals, which are liable to error for reasons already explained, we compare the returns made by Honorary Correspondents, who have a complete knowledge of the blacks under their charge, and who keep accurate accounts of the births and deaths, we shall see that in no case is the diminution very startling, having regard to the habits and present condition of this people.
It is to be regretted that it has been necessary to use last year's returns for some localities; but it is almost unreasonable to expect the Honorary Correspondents to make elaborate returns every year.
The Central Board are now in possession of the names and other particulars of 1,788 Aborigines; those respecting whom such information is wanting amount to 120, and they are located principally at Wickliffe, Mount Rouse, Hexham, Bacchus Marsh, and Warrnambool.
As the above return is imperfect, the Central Board would be glad if Honorary Correspondents and others possessing information would communicate with the Secretary. There is reason to believe that some Aborigines in the central part of Victoria are not included.
On the 31st May 1869, a very careful return was prepared by Mr. John Green, and the estimated total number was 1,834.
In the seventh report of the Board—under date 1st August 1871—the following statement is made:—"There is no reason to believe that there has been any great decrease in the number of Aborigines during the last few years. It is wrong to suppose because tribes are broken up and dispersed that all the members of these tribes have perished. Tribal relations and family ties are much interfered with by the whites, who now occupy the whole colony, and gladly avail themselves of the services of the blacks. Men of the Lower Murray take service in Gippsland, and men and women of the Gippsland tribes are found in the Western district. At Coranderrk, there are men, women, and children all living amicably with members of the Yarra and Goulburn tribes, who have been gathered from the Upper and Lower Murray, from Gippsland, and from the north and south-western parts of the colony.
"During the past seventeen months, the births and deaths reported by the Superintendents of the principal stations are as follows:—
| Births. | Deaths. | |
| Coranderrk | 9 | 7 |
| Lake Wellington | 5 | 3 |
| Lake Condah | 2 | 2 |
| Lake Tyers | 3 | 6 |
| Lake Hindmarsh | 3 | 7 |
| Framlingham | — | 1 |
"It is not easy accurately to ascertain the numbers of the Aborigines, but the Board does not hesitate to declare that the oft-repeated statement that the race is rapidly disappearing is by no means in accordance with fact."
