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. TAMBOURAH. - There are three old natives here, one man and two women, but Mr. Palmer, of the Tambourah Hotel, tells me they are continually on the move, having only been here a few days. There were some 30 to 40 natives here a few days back, but all have gone except these old people. They are able to get about, and, having dogs amongst their party, I think do very well, there being numbers of kangaroo about and quantities of fish. Mr Palmer employs one man and woman about 35, former looking after horses and carrying water, woman shepherding; two natives, man and woman, shepherding at a well two miles out aged 35 and 40. At the other hotel, Mr. Watson employs two women, about 45, one of them having a half-caste girl, 10; one man and woman away for a holiday, one man (35), and one man with team (20); only one of the above being permanently employed. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Tambourah, 13th October, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. HILLSIDE. - Owned by Messrs. G. and J. Withnell, and managed by Mr. G. Withnell. No natives on relief at this station, neither did I see any very old people. 20 men, 18 to 55; 20 women, 14 to 50; eight children, four months to 14 years (five girls and three boys), one being a boy four months old by a half-caste, his mother being a native woman, also one half-caste girl, seven years. One birth and one death during 12 months. Scale of rations: - 14lbs. flour, ¼ sheep, 1lb. sugar, little tea, 1½ sticks tobacco, every six days, man and woman. One half-caste man,about 30, on wages, drives one team, a native driving the other. These natives were all well clothed and fed, and appeared contented and happy. I visited an out camp on my way to Roy Hill, in charge of a Chinaman, a few of the station natives being there, one woman apparently suffering from syphilis. I left medicine for her with the Chinaman. Mr. Withnell generally signs, but has not done so of late. One or two of the shepherds seen by me were not quite so well clothed as those at the station, but during the hot months they seldom wear much clothing. There is no doubt these natives are all well treated and not worked too hard. Wool scouring was in progress at the homestead, this work being done by natives (men and women), under no direct supervision. Mr. Withnell told me this station had not been visited before by any representative of the Department. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roy Hill, 26th October, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. COOGLEYON TINFIELD. - Situated about 15 miles to the North of Hillside. Mr. Withnell kindly lent me a horse to ride over to these fields. Six men and four women are employed by different people on this field - shepherding, cattle and horse tailing, etc. Two white men, camped somewhere in the vicinity, are living with native women. I did not see them or ascertain their names. There are three half-castes on this field; one man of 40, from somewhere South, has a woman (black) with him; another a man, of 29 or 30, also with a woman, works with the former, getting tin and earning their own living, and are spoken well of by the whites. One half-catse boy of nine is indentured to Mr. Tatlock, storekeeper and butcher. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roy Hill, 26th October, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. ETHEL CREEK STATION. - Owned by Mr. Charlie Smith and managed by Mr. Charlie Smith and managed by Mr. G. A. Rayner. Mr. St. Quintin, manager of Roy Hill, kindly lent me a horse to ride over to this station, road being too rough for a bicycle. On my way I met Mr. Rayner. As he had three out of the eight natives employed with him and some of the others being away, I returned here with him. Four men, 20 to 30 ; two boys, 11 and 14 ; two women, 18 and 20, employed on this station. A Malay, named Saidong, is married to a native woman. He is working on the station. I believe they were married in Roebourne. No birth or deaths. Two men were reported to be syphilitic, but now away from the bush, so I am giving Mr. Rayner medicine for them The boys I saw appeared to be well fed and clothed. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Roy Hill, 26th October, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. ROY HILL (Upper Fortescue). - Owned by Messrs. S. P. and J. McKay. Managed by Mr. J. E. St. Quintin. Thus being a cattle station there are not many natives employed. Eleven men and boys, from 14 to 35, and two women actually employed. Others of both sexes work at odd times, grass cutting, etc. Just previous to my arrival a crowd of natives were camped close by, but they had then nearly all gone away again, a few only remaining. This country abounds in game, fish, and native food of all kinds, so that the outside natives do well. Most of the station natives were away for a holiday, only three working at the time of my visit, these looked well and hearty. One of the men made a very good job of shoeing a horse. On my way to this station I passed the team being driven by a half-caste (on wages), known as Billie. I am told he is a very good man. There was one old woman, about 55, in the camp, lame, but appeared to be well cared for by her companions, some of whom had just come in from the bush. There were all sleek and fat, and evidently live well. There are also three boys, 10 to 12, and one child. male, 18 months; three girls, 12 months to nine years. One half-caste boy had been taken away by his father overland with stock, and, I believe, was to be put to school by him. There is also one half-caste Malay girl of 15 or 16 on the place. Her father is working on the adjoining station (Ethel Creek). The Chinaman cook here, Ah Hing, is married to a native woman. There is no doubt these natives are well fed and are thought a great deal of by the McKay Bros. None are signed at present. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Nullagine, 3rd November, 1900. |