Reports on Aboriginal People on Western Australian stations 1899-1902
| Please be aware that the reports include the names of deceased people and descriptions which may be culturally sensitive |
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The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. GLOBE HILL (Ashburton). - Owned by Messrs. McRae and Harper; managed by Mr. G. W. McRae. No natives on relief here. There were five old people in the camp not working on the station, also a boy of 12 having club feet. These natives all appeared to be doing well, having plenty of food and blankets, ect. I am pleased to say Mr. McRae does not ask for any relief. Several of the working natives were away for a holiday at the time of my visit. I saw a few of the shepherds at an out station; they, together with those at homestead, were well fed and clothed. Fifteen men, 16 to 50; 12 women, 16 to 35; three boys, nine to 14; one half-caste, nine; two girls, four and 12. Scale of rations: 12lbs. fours, 10lbs. meat, 1 stick of tobacco, man and woman per week. Kangaroo dogs also kept by the natives. I have, ect., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Hardey Junction, 23 July, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. NANNUTARRA (Ashburton). - Owned by Mr. H. Higham; managed by Mr. W. G. Learmonth. There were seven natives on relief, according to list sent me by the Department, On arrival at Nannutarra I found only four, viz., Moorangie, alias Big Sam, male, 70, nearly blind; Williagoora, alias Bessie, female, 45, blind; Munguen, alias Dinah, female, 50, feeble, and partly blind; Janderbiddy, alias Bumora, male, away. The other three are dead. As there is such a quantity of bush food about now, I arranged with Mr. Learmonth not to charge for these natives for at least the next three months. I have written to Mr. Higham pointing out the fact that he is the only squatter in this district receiving relief for natives, and considering the amount of work done by them on this station, he is about the last man to ask for assistance. The natives on this station do all the shearing, a great deal of the teamstering and stock work, and have done the greater part of the fencing, and I certainly think Mr. Higham ought to support the old natives of a tribe which has done such good work for him in past years. At the time of my visit shearing was going on. There were some 16 or 18 natives shearing, most of them doing good work. Some of these natives were formerly in my employ when managing Hooley and New's station on this river. Mr. Higham recently bought the station, and now employs the majority of the natives. Thirty-four men (one half-caste, about 16), 27 women, 12 children (one half-caste girl, about nine), five to 15 years old. Mr Learmonth spoke to me about his half-caste girl, and would like to get her removed to a mission. Her reputed father is now managing a station in this district, but I doubt very much if he will do anything for her, but I shall not fail to urge her claim on him when we meet. All these natives were looking well and hearty, and seemed well contented with their lot. One or two of the house women seemed to be very useful, being able to wash and iron clothes, etc. I could hear of no disease on this station. At Mt. Mortimer out camp there were only a few natives. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. HARDEY JUNCTION. - Owned by A. Forrest & Co.; managed by Mr. F. Hicks. There are no natives on relief here, but there are six or seven old people in the camp, kept partly by the station, that is to say, they share the food of the working natives. Mr Hicks supplied most of these old people with blankets this winter. There were two natives in the camp (man and woman) apparently suffering from syphilis; for these two I left some medicine. One boy, Boko, 17 years old, is an imbecile, and was in a terrible state. Some six weeks ago he fell into the fire during a fit, burning one of his hands badly also side and leg. The hand is now in a horrible state, and will probably mortify. If I see signs of this on my return to Hardey Junction the hand will have to come off. I supplied ointment to the burns, but found it useless to attempt any actual dressing, as the boy only pulls off any bandages as soon as applied. There is another male native at this station with a curious disease: his fingers and one or two toes are dropping off by degrees. This may be leprosy, but I am inclined to think not. However, on arrival in Roebourne I will obtain Dr. Maunsell's advice, and should it turn out to be that disease, will make the best arrangements possible for this man's removal and isolation. He appears to have come from up this way. Mr Hicks would like to get this native and Boko removed. Recently two women and their men have come down from the fields. One of these women has two half-caste children and the other one; all three girls, aged from three to six or seven. Something ought to be done for these three children and the one (girl) at Nannutarra. Boys can look after themselves, but the girls become the prey of both whites and black at an early age if not taken away out of reach of harm, and would respectfully urge you to do do something for those children. Sixteen men, 22 to 50; 13 women, 20 to 50 ; four children (girls), one about seven, and seven, and three half-castes, three to six or seven. Scale of rations : - 14lbs. flour, 14lbs. meat, 2lbs. sugar, ¼lb. tea, 2 sticks tobacco, man and woman per week. Four deaths from July, 1899, to July, 1900. No births. The natives on this station are well treated, fed, and clothed, and all look well and appear contented. Shearing is carried on here for the most part by natives, and wool scouring also. I enclose Mr. Hicks' views on the signing question for your information. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector, Ashburton Fields, 3rd August, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. GLEN FLORRIE (Henry River.) - Owned by the Henry River Squatting Company l managed by Mr. W. Hall. Mr. Hall was away at the time of my visit, but I was enabled to see most of the natives employed on the place, as they were putting up a hay stack at the homestead ; they all looked well fed and clothed. There were several old people on the run. I hope to report more fully on them later on, as I am going to Glen Florrie again on my return to Hardey Junction, for the purpose og signing natives for Mr. Hall. Nineteen men, 26 to 60 ; 22 women, 15 to 55 ; one boy, 10 ; one, 6 ; and one girl, 7. Scale of rations: 14lbs. flour, ½ sheep, 2 sticks tobacco, every six days, man and woman. Kangaroo dogs are kept by the station for the use of the natives, so they all do well for meat. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Ashburton Fields, 3rd August, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. GLEN FLORRIE (Henry River). - Owned by the Henry River Pastoral Company, and managed by Mr. G. W. Hall. I again visited this station for the purpose of signing natives. Shearing was in progress, natives doing nearly all the work. These natives are very well fed and clothed. I saw several old people amongst them, two formerly on relief with Harris Brothers. There were eight, altogether, fot subjects for relief in bad times, but in such a season as the present there is no necessity for relief, and I am glad to say MNr. Hall recognises this. These natives had blankets in May last. If times get bad Mr. Hall will apply for relief, as none of these old people have relations in his employ, and have done no work on the place. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Hardey Junction, 22nd August, 1900. |