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. PEEDAMULLA (Cane River). - Owned and managed by Messrs. Burt Bros. Very few natives now on this station; there were formerly more, but Mr Fred. Burt told me they had gradually cleared out, some to the coast and some to the neighbouring stations, and they have not troubled after them, and are quite prepared to work the station without any native labour. There is one old chap, about 65, who turns up at intervals; he is always fed when on the place, although unable to do much. Three men, 26 to 45, one woman 35. These men are used principally as horse boys, etc. While at this station two men called looking for shearing; one of them had a native woman with him dressed as a boy. I am glad to say Mr. Burt will not employ any men carting women about with them. If all squatters would act in this manner, a good deal of this sort of thing would be put a stop to. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVERY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. MARDIE (Murray River Squatting Co). - Managed by Mr Timms. There are no natives on relief here. I saw three women nearly blind, all fed and clothed by the station. These natives appear to be almost too well fed, there being a good deal of waste at the camp. Shearing was in progress during my visit, all being done by natives, some of them doing very good work, the teamstering also being in the native's hands; 16 men, 20 to 55; 14 women, 22 to 45; four boys (black), three to 12; four girls (black) , six months to 11 years; three half-caste boys, four to six; tow half-caste girls, 12 months to 13 years. No natives are rationed out, Mr Timms stating that he cannot rely on them to draw water, ect., and prefers to employ whites or Chinamen. No natives are signed, but the majority of them could not be driven from the place. They appear to be a very dear class of labour here, taken as a whole. After leaving Mardie, I received a letter from Mr Timms reporting one of the natives for having burnt his woman's eye with a fire-stick. I at once returned and inquired into the affair, and although confident in my own mind of the native's guilt, the evidence adduced was so conflicting that I could do nothing but warn the native in question. While at Mardie the second time, one of the young boys got thrown from a horse and broke his arm which I was able to set before leaving. One woman died about twelve months ago, probably from old age. Two births during last twelve months. I have, ect., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. YARRALOOLA (Robe River). - Owned by the Robe River Pastoral Co., and managed by Mr. F. Paterson. I saw one old woman at this station ; she was totally blind, aged about 75, and is fed by the station. All the natives here - men, women, and children - look remarkably well, and get everything they require. The women, with a few exceptions, appear to do very little, except at shearing time, the men being employed doing the usual station work: 10 men, 20 to 50 ; 13 women, 20 to 50 ; nine children (two boys about six, and seven girls 14 days to 13 years) ; no half-castes. Scale of rations : 7lbs. flour, 6lbs. rice, 20lbs. meat, 3lbs. sugar, ½lb. tea, 3 sticks tobacco, man and woman, per week. One death, probably from senile decay ; one birth during last 12 months. Mr. Paterson does not sign any natives, but as he has not had much experience among them, I did not get his viewws on the question. Mr. Paterson told me he had very little trouble now with the natives, but when he first took over the station they nearly all cleared out, but gradually returned, and are now apparently contented and happy. There is no station where they are better fed and clothed. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1990. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. BALMORAL. - Owned by Mr. David Stewart ; managed by Mr. A Linton. There were four old and infirm natives on this station, all being fed and kept by the owner ; one of them is deaf and dumb. All the shearing is done by natives, also teamstering. Here, as at Mardie, the natives spend most of their time holiday-making, the majority only working at shearing, lamb-marking, etc.; they are also given rations when going into the bush, and are well treated, fed, and clothed. Mr. Stewart does not employ any natives waterdrawing, etc. His manager told me he preferred to use whites or Chinamen, not being able to rely upon the blacks, consequently these natives are under agreement: 17 men, 23 to 45; 15 women, 18 to 45; three children, 10 months to 11 years, all girls. One man (old) died before shearing. Rations given when asked for. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. KARRATHA (Maitland River). - Owned by the Withnel Bros., and managed by Mr. John Withnel. Only seven natives employed here, none of them being signed: five males, 12 to 30; two women, 14 to 30. No births or deaths during last 12 months. Two boys shearing , each averaging 60 per day. Mr Withnel tells me these two boys can play euchre correctly. The women do the husework and appear to be very useful. They are well fed and clothed. Mr Withnel said he did not believe in signing, and promised to send me his opinion in writing, but has not yet done so. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1900. |