station in 1863, but the tribe was not what is technically called let in until 1868. Generally,after the first occupation of a tract of country by a settler, from three to ten years elapse before the tribe or tribes to which the land has belonged from time immemorial is let in, that is, is allowed to come to the homestead, or seek for food within a radius of five or ten miles of it. During this period the squatter's party and the tribe live in a state of warfare; the former shooting down a savage now and then when opportunity offers, and calling in the aid of the Black Police from time to time to- avenge in a wholesale way the killing or frightening of stock off the run by the tribe. Acting on the well-known feature of aboriginal ethics, that every male stranger is an enemy, who must, if possible, be slain, the Queensland Government has largely availed itself of its aboriginal population for the purpose of punishing aboriginal aggressions. The stereotyped proceedings which follow the taking up of a run may be described in this way, and if I mention them, it is only on the chance that further publicity —for they are well known—may possibly contribute to the adoption of more humane measures. When the settler then locates his stock on a piece of country hitherto in the sole possession of a tribe, the roots, grass-seeds, and game on which the people habitually live quickly fail. Then come hunger and also anger, for amongst themselves the hunting or gathering of food by a tribe on land which does not belong to it is always considered a casus belli by the rightful proprietors; just as in our case to take or destroy a neighbour's sheep or cabbages is a punishable act. Then some cattle are speared, or frightened off the run by the mere presence of the Blacks in search of food. In either of these events the Blacks are attacked and some of them shot down. In revenge, a shepherd or stockman is speared. Recourse is then had to the Government; half-a-dozen or more young Blacks in some part of the colony remote from the scene of the outrage are enlisted, mounted, armed, liberally supplied with ball cartridges, and despatched to the spot under the charge of a Sub-inspector of Police. Hot for blood, the Black troopers