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

The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth.

ULLAWARRA (Henry River). - Owned and managed by Mr. S. H. Edwards.

I visited this station and Glen Florrie on horseback, Mr. Hicks having kindly lent me a horse, the road being too rough for bicycle work.

There are eight old natives on this run, one of whom was formerly in receipt of relief through the Harris Bros. Mr. Edwards does not ask for any relief, but he applied some time ago to the Mt. Mortimer police for blankets, but none have yet arrived. I advised him in future to apply direct to the Department early in the year, so that blankets may come to hand before the cold weather sets in ; to be of use, blankets should be at the different parts not later than the end of March ; in most cases station teams could then take them to their respective stations, thereby saving carriage, etc. As kangaroo dogs are kept by the station for the use of the natives, I think the old people do all right. Five men, 20 to 50 ; six women, 17 to 50.

Three deaths (two young people about 25, man and woman, and one man, 40, killed by another native - latter was tried and acquitted) during last 12 months.

Scale of rations : 14lbs. flour, ½ sheep, 2 sticks tobacco per week, man and woman.

I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Ashburton Fields, 3rd August, 1900.

The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth.

ASHBURTON DOWNS. - Owned by Messrs. Throssell and Hancock, and managed by Mr. John Hancock.

Shearing was in progress at the time I visited this station. There were eight or nine natives shearing, some of them doing very good work, women picking up and rolling wool. This station had anything but a good name as regards morality; formerly men on the place lived with native women, but some time back this was put a stop to, and some of the men implicated were discharged. Mr Hancock returned a few days before my departure, when I spoke to him on this subject, and he said he did not allow anything of the sort.

Twenty-two men from 20 to 50; 25 women, 20 to 50; 14 children (five males and nine females) from four to 16; four half-castes (two girls, seven and nine; tow boys, seven and nine).

At one of the sheep camps there is an aboriginal native, Black Harry, in charge; this native comes from lower down the river. He can count sheep, and has full charge of his flocks. Mr Hancock some time ago sent six or seven young gins from 12 to 16 out to this native's camp to keep them out of mischief at the homestead, and to be out of the way of travellers, ect. At the station I saw a native, about 30, suffering from a bad attack of syphilis, one of his eyes being badly affected. I left medicine for him with the storekeeper.

There was not the amount of venereal disease about that I expected to find. I believe some little time ago there were several cases, but they have gone into the bush and become temporarily cured. There were a few old people at the different camps; they seemed to be doing all right as far as food is concerned, dogs being kept by the shepherds, and the scale of rations being a liberal one. I have asked for a bale of blankets to be sent to the Warden; he being on the spot will be able to distributed them when required. Many of the old people hang about the camps and require blankets in the winter, but there is no necessity for further relief, the season being so good.

Scale of rations: 14lbs. four; 25lbs. meat; tobacco, man and woman per week.

The natives on this station are well fed and for the best part well clothed. One or two that had just come in from the bush were rather scantily clad; they also appear to be well treated.

One death, old woman, two months ago.

I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Hardey Junction, 22nd August, 1900.

The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth.

PEAKE STATION (Hardey River). - Owned by Messrs. McGrath Bros., and managed by Mr. M. McGrath.

Shearing was in full swing at this station at the time of my visit, two natives shearing, both doing good work. Like several other stations I have visited, there are not many natives employed here; the owners do not sign, and are quite prepared to run the station without native labour at all. Six men, from 18 to 75; six women, from 17 to 60; and two boys, 12 and 13, are employed, and are apparently well fed and clothed.

Messrs. McGrath assured me that as long as these natives liked to remain on the place they would be looked after, even when they became useless as far as work is concerned. I trust they may always think the same.

Scale of rations: 14lbs. flour; ½ sheep; 3 or 4 sticks tobacco, man and woman every six days.

There appears to be no sickness on this station at present.

I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1900.

The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth.

MOUNT STEWART. - Out station belongingto Mr. Higham, of Nannutarra.

There were six men and four women employed at this camp., the men for the most part doing the boundary riding and stock work generally, one or two drawing water water, etc. These natives were well fed and clothed, and I know under the white man, W. Scott, stationed at this camp, are well treated, for having been in my employ when on the Ashburton some time ago. These natives get a liberal ration when camped away, viz., 16lbs. flour, ½ sheep, 3 sticks tobacco, man and woman every six days.

I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY. Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1990.

The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth.

RED HILL (Ashborton District). - Owned by Messrs. Monger and Forest ; managed by Mr. J. E. Hicks.

There were no old natives at all on this station, and only 15 employed altogether: seven men, 22 to 45 ; eight women, 20 to 40 ; four children, three boys, three months to eight years ; one girl, four months.

These natives were well fed and clothed, and all look well and happy. One woman does a good deal of the cooking and house work, etc., under the supervision of Mrs. Hicks.

Scale of ration is a very liberal one : - 14lbs. flour, 2lbs. sugar, 14lbs. meat, ½lb. tea, 3 sticks tobacco, man and woman every six days.

No disease on this station that I could hear of. Two births three and four months ago; one death last October, a young man, probably consumption.

I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th August, 1900.