West Australian Blacks What the Catholic Missions are Doing

New Zealand Tablet, Volume 19, Issue 42, 19 October 1905, Page 4

West Australian Blacks

What the Catholic Missions are Doing

On arming in Perth one of Dr. Kenny's first excursions was up to the New horcia Aboriginal Sfaticm (says the I W.A. Record') lie spent two dia> s there in a general lout of inspection and observation of the whole place and surroundings, and he came away ' thoroughly convinced,' as ho says, ' that the New Norcia Mission is doing a noble vvoik of which any State may well foel proud.' His \isit was altogether unexpected, and, therefore, what he saw there during his short stay accurately reflects the daily life on the station. ' 1 was altogether surprised at what 1 saw,' says the doctor. 'On the. very day that I arrived two blacks from the station won the two piincipal prizes at a local ploughing match. T saw them boot-making and gardening, ami in their houses after the day's work was over, and I have seldom seen greater domestic harmony prevailing oven m the homes of white poople My experience of the native races embraces Victoria arrd Queensland, but never have I seen a nearer approach to A White Civilisation attained by amy race of aboriginals. They all seem to be in good health, and comfortably honispd Work is not compulsory , but, of caur.se, laziness is not encouraged, and I s-aw very little of it. The boys receive a giood, sound education, and also the girls, who

are kept separate from them, under the charge of the nuns. I saw the boys playing football and otherwise enjoying themsehes as heartily and as orderly as any white boys. They all have their horses (they are very fond of riding), and their guns and other sporting! facilities, with which to amuse themselves when not engaged in more serious duties. There is a well-stocked general store at the station, from which the native population is supplied in all their wants at cast price, ihe Fathers of the Mission arc incline*! to encourage marriage among the young people, as they consider that it tends to make them settle down and become contented, and take a greater interest i»n their own welfare amid that of the Mission. They all attend service, amid betray such evident marks of piety in their devotional exercises as would be considered edifying in thteor. white brethren. The great principle Which the Fathers of the Mission aspire to is to make the Mission Self-containing and Self-supporting # in every way,' and to that end nearly every necessary of life is raised on their farm. They have an excellent up-to-date steam flour mill, where they grind all their own corn, and also large quantities for the neighboring farmers. They cultivate most kinds of fruit that can begrown in this State, have dairy herds, a model piggery, breed horses— both thoroughbred and draught — and distil excellent wine and olive oil. They kill all their own meat, and bake their own bread, and even nvajke their own candles. In fact,' says our narrator, ' the otrnly articles which tbey are compelled to purchase outside in any quantities are tea and sugar.' Dr. Kenny was also much impressed with the substantial nature of the monastery buildings, and the new convent, which is now in course of construction. He was sorry, on bidding gpod-fbye to the good Farthers, whose hospitality toe very mluch appreciated, that his stay was necessarily so short.