Journal Page 17

in two tribes the Wanerong and Boonwerong -
In 1839 the population was two hundred and
nine and the births five viz - two males and
three females hence the decrease in six
years has been upwards of twenty three per
cent there is therefore every probability
of these tribes becoming extinct at no
distant period-

The society of Baptists for some time past
has afforded instruction to a few native children
at Richmond and Merri Creek, and the
Government with the view of furthering
those efforts has allowed them the use of
the premises and a piece of land at the
latter station.-

One hundred and fifty pounds have
been provided out of the general estimate
of the Department for behoof of the aboriginal
natives Weslayan Mission Station, Barwon
river, Geelong or Western District-

The Native Police have their principal
station at Nerre Nerre Warren the reserve

[Annotation: left margin beside paragraph 1]

Aboriginal
population

[Annotation: left margin beside paragraph 3]

Wesleyan
Mission
Station
Western
District

[Annotation: left margin beside paragraph 4]

Native
Police

[Annotation: bottom]

17

Journal Page 18

for the aboriginal natives of the Western
Port District- Hitherto the Wayuerong and
Boonwerong or Melbourne tribes furnished
the men for this corps, but the frequent
deaths rendered it necessary to obtain natives
from district tribes viz - Omeo, Wimmera
and Maneroo of whom three have been
introduced-

The authorised estimate of the Department
for the current year is two thousand three
hundred and fifty five pounds seven shillings
and three pence, being a reduction of two
hundred and forty three pounds seventeen
shillings and three pence on the previous
years estimate-

The strictest economy in matters of finance
has been observed and the expense of the
entire department consisting of Mount
Rouse, Loddon, Goulburn and Merri Creek
stations comprising one Chief Officer two
assistants, two qualified surgeons one

[Annotation: right margin]

Financial
£2355.7.3
£243.17.3

[Annotaion: bottom]

18