The Lutheran Pioneer St. Louis — 1919, Page 60

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60

ought to go far towards convincing the South Aus-
tralian Government of the injustice of its past treat-
ment of the Mission and impel it to make some
kind of apology. Here is the interesting report : —

“T yisited the Koonibba Mission Station on
Good Friday, and remained there for a week, so
as to look thoroughly into the work of the mission.
I was warmly welcomed by the superintendent
(Ma. Appelt) and Mr. Bode (the teacher). I stayed
with the teacher. The superintendent introduced
me to the members of the staff, and desired me to
visit with perfect freedom, at any time, any of the
institutions. I*fully availed myself of this privilege,
and received a great surprise in the ability shown,
as well as the methods adopted. I was much struck
after seeing other aboriginal stations, with the ab-
sence of natives loafing about. At Koonibba idle-
ness is not permitted. very man, woman, and
child has duties allotted, so that the station is
a hive of industry. Good order and discipline are
maintained largely by an appeal to the moral sense
and to conscience. ‘The rules and regulations of
the mission have been well framed, experience hav-
ing shown the necessity of firmness and kindness
in dealing with the aborigine.

“One of the most delightful features of the
work at Koonibba is the children’s home. It is
a fine substantial structure, and over 60 children
are accommodated there. Three matrons look after
the home, and are assisted by native girls, who are
well trained in washing, ironing, baking, mending,
and.other features of domestic life. Splendid order
and discipline are maintained. The children —
black and half-caste — have come from every quar-
ter, and it is a pleasure to see well cared for and
happy those who at one time lived in wurleys. The
discipline is softened by hours of relaxation for
workers and children, and the happy blending of
work and play seems completely to satisfy every
requirement of the growing child. Side by side
with attention to their physical well-being, the
moral and spiritual side of their nature receives
every attention. The children are systematically
and thoroughly trained in the tenets of religion.
From the kindergarten class upwards, the boys and
girls receive a really good education on secular and
religious lines. The authorities at Koonibba do
not attempt to alter the habits and customs of the
natives. They treat them with every kindness, but
they are centering their efforts on the children,
and, if their example be followed elsewhere, the
native question will be solved.

The Lutheran Pioneer.

“From the foundation of the Mission the teach-
ing has been in the English tongue. ‘The lesson-
books and the service-books are all in English, and
the reading in the church is from the Authorized
Version of the Scriptures. JI interviewed the
natives, but found no trace of German in their
language, and they assured me that they had never
received instruction in anything but Hnglish. The
patriotic spirit of the children was strikingly mani-
fested in the wonderful zest shown in singizng-~
national airs; and the rendering of the National
Anthem, with the addition of ‘God bless our
splendid men’ was done in such a spirit, and with
such ability, as to satisfy the most ardent loyalist
in the State. The melodious singing at the church
services: on Easter Sunday was something to be
remembered, and no one could listen *o the strains
of triumph without thanking God for the mis-
sionary spirit He had put into the hearts of the
men and women who had rescued these poor little
children from the wilds, and were giving them the
training and shelter of a Christian institution.

“The farm operations are carried on under the
supervision of a manager, but the natives need
little incentive to duty, and handle their teams with
the same proficiency as the ordinary farm laborer.
They receive board and lodging and wages, but the
wages are not high; yet, despite this, the com-
munity spirit prevails among the men, and they
consider they are compensated by enjoying the
privileges and advantages, as well as the protection,
of the mission. To safeguard the men when they
do work off the station, all arrangements are made
for their employment by the mission authorities,
the chief aim being to retain the moral standard
of the men, so that the work done at the mission
in the upbuilding of character may tot be broken
down. There is, however, little need of any of the
natives going away from Koonibba for employment,
because for years to come there will be plenty of
work in development. The meals for the men are
provided under the supervision of a matron, and
the sleeping-rooms are attended to by native workers.
The mission authorities contemplated erecting cot-
tages, needed for those who are likely to get married,
as well as a new dining- and sleeping-room for
the farm-workers and laborers.

“The moral tone at Koonibba is very high, only
one case of immorality having occurred during the
last three and a half years; and this was that of
a girl of weak intellect, who wandered away from
the station and soon became a victim. The moral