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. CHIRRITTA (Maitland River). - Owned and managed by Mr. A. C. Gillam. There are three natives on relief here, two at 6d. per day and one at 9d., as follows: - (1.) Bobtail, 65, F., old and decrepit, and nearly blind. (2.) Mardanangada, alias Fanny, F., 37, a lunatic ; taken over by Mr. Gilliam from Roebourne at 9d. per day. (3.) Bullyabimung, alias Selina, F., 52, abnormally fat, weighing at least 16 stone and unable to get about ; certainly the stoutest woman I seen anywhere. No.2, Mardanangada, seems very mad and creates considerable disturbance at night, generally at the full moon. These natives are all fed with those working on the place. Natives do the teamstering and stock work, etc. One boy I saw shoeing horses. Mr. Gilliam will not keep any natives unless they agree to sign. They all seem happy, contented, well fed, and clothed : 12 men, 18 to 65 ; 13 women, 16 to 25 ; three boys, six to 16, one being a half-caste pf 16, two indentured ; four girls, three to 15. No births or deaths. Scale of rations : 16lbs. flour, 16lbs. meat, 3lbs. sugar, ¼ 1b. tea, 3 sticks tobacco, man and woman per week ; extra if more than one women or any children. I have, etc., G.S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roebourne, 20th September, 1990. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. ROEBOURNE. - The two (2) natives on relief here were both away at the time of my visit. The manager of the Nor'-West Mercantile Co. informed me they at times went away for two or three weeks at a time, but always obtaining a supply of rations before going. The police state this relief is properly administered. On my return to Roebourne I shall make a point of seeing these two natives. On several occasions I had conversations with squatters living close to Roebourne; they are all agreed that something should be done to prevent the present state of affairs. The treatment of prisoners (native) in the goal was brought before my notice. It appears these men have a very good time of it, and look upon a term of imprisonment as anything but punishment. A most liberal ration is allowed: Breakfast, 9oz. bread; dinner,1lb. potatoes, ¾lb. meat; tea, 9oz. bread; with tea, sugar, salt, etc., including tobacco, soap, etc. They are also allowed to corrobboree at night. Messrs. Church, Clifton, and others say they consider imprisonment for natives under such conditions is little or no punishment, and tends rather to increase than prevent crime. This, of course, refers mainly to the more civilised prisoners. Doubtless incarceration alone is to a certain extent punishment to the real bush native. I was informed that in many cases natives living about Roebourne offer their women to white men for drink, etc., the latter often being under the influence of liquor himself accepts, and soon after finds himself fined for supplying liquor to the natives, the natives escaping altogether. In such cases the native should certainly be punished also. I quite agree with Mr. Church and others that natives not working should not be allowed within a mile or two of the townships after sundown. On my return to Roebourne I hope to go more fully into this and other matters connected with natives in towns, etc. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Hong Kong, 6th October, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. COSSACK. - Of the four natives on relief here I saw only three. One woman (Polly), aged about 45, being strong and hearty, I have removed from the list from 7th inst. The police tell me this woman can obtain employment if she wishes to; the other two were fit subjects, one man, Dolphin, being blind. One woman being away I did not see. Those seen appeared in good condition, and appear to get a fair thing. I have, ect., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Hong Kong, 6th October, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. WOODBROOK. - Owned by Messrs. Church, Meagher, & Co.; managed by Mr. J. H. Church. This station I visited from Roebourne. No natives on relief. There was one old woman in the camp at the time of my visit; her son working on the place. The natives here get all they require as regards food and clothing, and are well treated. Seven men, 18 to 28; four women, 18 to 30; one boy , 12, indentured; also tow half-caste girls, 13 and nine, indentured. The natives on this station, as on many visited in the Nor' - West, appear to have been well trained, they being good teamsters (Mr Church employs no white man to drive his wagon). Some are able to shoe horses and do all kinds of station work. These natives all appear happy and contented. Herewith I enclose Mr. Church's opinion on the signing questions for your information. I have ect., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Hong Kong 6th October, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. THE SPRINGS. - Owned by Mr. A. B. Lockyer; managed by Mr. Arnold Lockyer. I paid a surprise visit to this station from Cooyapooya, Mr. Clifton kindly lending me a buggy and horses. I found six of the seven natives on the relief list, viz. : - (1.) Cooararing, alias Biddy, female, 61, short leg and deformed foot, said to have a half-caste son of 35 working on place. (2.) Yannanbiddy, alias Mary, female, 60, nearly blind. (3.) Boyanboomarra, alias Caroling, male, 70. (4.) Wanmagoora, alias Mary, female, 57, apparently fairly strong and able to work, No. 3's woman. (5.) Yatehegoora, female, 61, nearly blind. (6.) Guiemagerra, male, 60, has a woman shepherding sheep in station employ; this man not seen by me. (7.) Jennagueiroo, male, 70, probably children on the place. No. 6 (Guiemagerra) has a woman in station employ, and should be supported by the station. No. 4 (Wanmagoora) should be able to work, is supposed to wait on her man, No. 3. From the police I learnt that several of these natives had able bodied sons or daughters working on the station. Being only a flying trip I did not then remove any from the list, but I have doubts if they receive half the above. I shall endeavour to sift the matter fully on my next visit. When on the Fortescue, on my way to Roebourne, a drover named Platt reported the Lockyers for having indentured a boy about nine that ran away from him (Platt) some time before, this boy belonging to Croydon Station, owned by Messrs. McRae & Straker. I was under the impression it was necessary to obtain the parents' consent to a child being indentured, but find it is not so. Such being the case I did not mention anything about this boy when at the Springs, wishing to see Mr. McRae before taking any steps in the matter. On reaching Croydon I found Mr. McRae had sent the boy's father to fetch him back with a note to the Lockyers requesting them to let the boy return. If they do so it will simplify matters, but should they refuse and the boy wishes to return, surely the indenture should be cancelled. I shall again look into this matter on my return and report fully on it; in the meantime any information you can supply me with, as regards indenturing, would be most useful. Five men, 17 to 50; five women 14 to 45 (one half-caste 35); one boy 10 or 11, indentured; one girl (half-caste), nine , out of half-caste woman by a white man; one half-caste man working on wages; also half-caste woman and three children. No births or deaths during last 12 months. All natives fed at homestead or camps. I only saw one working native, they all being away at the time of my visit, it being Sunday. I have, ect., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Hong Kong, 6th October, 1900. |