23.  The natives of the islands more to the northward and eastward are said to be of milder dispositions, especially the Darnley Islanders—­of whom Captain Edwards, of Sydney, who had a “Bech-de-mer” fishing establishment there during the last year, speaks in high terms as being of friendly dispositions and displaying very considerable intelligence, living in comfortable huts and cultivating yams, bananas, coconuts, etc., in considerable quantities.  Among these islanders I should think missionaries might establish themselves without great difficulty, and with a satisfactory result.

24.  I think that the simple fact of a settlement of Europeans being established at Cape York will very much tend to curb the savage natures of the natives, not only of the mainland, but also of the islands, and any unfortunates who may be cast among them from shipwrecked vessels will, at all events, have their lives spared; and I believe that, should such an event take place, I should soon hear of it from the natives here.  The communication between the islanders and the natives of the mainland is frequent, and the rapid manner in which news is carried from tribe to tribe to great distances is astonishing.  I was informed of the approach of H.M.S.  Salamander on her last visit two days before her arrival here.  Intelligence is conveyed by means of fires made to throw smoke up in different forms, and by messengers who perform long and rapid journeys.

25.  I should like much to send one or two of the Cape York natives to Brisbane to remain there a short time.  I believe that the reports which they would bring back to their tribe of the wonders seen among the white men would tend more than any other means to promote friendly feelings towards us, and to fit their minds to receive favourable impressions.

26.  From what I have previously said of the soil here, it will be seen that no large portion of it is suited for agriculture.  Even were the land good, the peculiar climate, which may be considered dry for eight months in the year, would not permit satisfactory cultivation to any large extent.  During the rainy months, from December to April, vegetables suitable to the temperature may be grown in abundance.

27.  Of the agreeableness and salubrity of the climate of Somerset, I can not speak too favorably.  The wet season commenced here last year (1864) with the month of December, and continued till the latter part of March.  During that time the rain was intermittent, a day or two of heavy wet being succeeded by fine weather.  The winds from the north west were light, and falling away to calm in the evening and night.  During this season the highest range of my thermometer was 98 degrees in the shade; but it very rarely exceeds 90 degrees, as may be seen from Dr. Haran’s meteorological sheets.  During the calms immediately succeeding wet the heat was disagreeable, and mosquitoes appeared, but not numerously.  The nights were invariably cool.