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. NULLAGINE. - At this township I saw about 20 natives altogether, but only a few of them were employed, and these mostly women. The two hotel-keepers (Messrs. Clemensen and Walker) employ two or three men each. Three women are employed at the hop-beer shop, and the butcher has one man and two or three women working for him. At a garden a mile or so up the river there are several natives loafing about at times. At this garden I saw and treated a very bad case of syphilis, and have left medicine to continue the treatment. I visited two or three other camps, in company with Constable Brown, and found two men, about 55, both pretty strong and hearty, and three old women, two of the nearly blind. These latter I should have put on relief, but until the loafers are cleared out of the township I consider it is useless to feed these old people, as these able to work would probably get the benefit of the rations supplied, I also saw two half-caste children, one a boy about eight or nine, at Wordley's garden, and the other, a child only a few weeks old, at the Butcher's camp. I was informed there were a great many natives about the township just before my arrival, but they had mostly gone into the bush towards Roy Hill and farther back for a big corroboree. The natives for the most part absolutely refuse to work, and live on the prostitution of the women. I believe several white men live with women in and around the township and outlying camps, but it is a difficult matter to obtain any definite information. Mr. Isdell, of Mosquito Creek, told me he had applied for blankets for the old natives last winter. The prisoners (native) brought in from Horrigan's station and convicted of cattle killing were kept in the police camp for two or three days. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVRY, Travelling Inspector. Corunna Downs, 18th November, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. "TWENTY MILE." SANDY, AND MOSQUITO CREEK (Nullagine District). From Nullagine I visited "20-Mile," Sandy, and Mosquito Creek. There were only four men working at the former place and three women. Just previous to my visit there had been a good many natives here, but they had all cleared out into the bush. At Mosquito Creek, I had a long talk with Mr. James Isdell on the native question. This gentlemen tried and sentenced the 10 natives for cattle killing at Horrigan's, and has since been accused of being interested in the station. He assured me such was not the case, he having no interest whatever in it. Mr. Isdell, with many others, urge the necessity of keeping idle natives some distance out of these mining townships, as they will not work themselves and make those that will discontented, etc. There are only a few natives employed at this place, three between the two hotels, their women not being employed. There are seven or eight women about the township, doing odd jobs at times. A short time back there were a large number of natives around, but they have also nearly all cleared out. I believe some white men have taken young gins to live with them; but, as far as I could gather, none against their wish. In some instances the men (black) have complained to Mr. Isdell. Mr. Isdell is of opinion that there are usually between 200 and 250 natives knocking about Nullagine and district, about 100 being men, only about 20 being employed. There are between 50 and 60 children all told, five or six being half-castes, from a few weeks to 12 years old. As many natives come to Mr. Isdell for medicine, I think it would be advisable to send him a supply of the following, viz.: Iodoform, ½lb.; vaseline, 2lbs.; 3 doz. pain killer; 3 doz. eucalyptus. Bush natives can do well in this country, there being any amount of fish and bush tucker. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY. Travelling Inspector. Corunna Downs, 18th November, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. CORUNNA DOWNS. - Brockman Bros.; Mr. H. Brockman in charge. On arrival at this station I was sorry to find Mr. Dudley Brockman had left only a few days before for the South, his brother being in charge. There are only two old women now on relief, viz. : - 1. Mirilbung, alais Polly, female, 60, nearly blind, has a daughter working on the place; 2. Coogapee, alias Bandy Legs, female, 45, blind; no relatives of the other two on your list; one Coonderingo, female, died nine months ago; and Devering, female, has been away for 12 months or so and not charged for. The first two are certainly both fit subjects for relief. I told Mr. Brockman the firm ought to keep the old woman who has a daughter working on the place but he contended the woman has never done any work for them herself, etc. There were on or two other old people that are kept by the station. Sixteen men, from 17 to 60; 20 women, from 17 to 60; six boys, from two to 13 years; eight girls, from three months to 15 years; seven half-castes, four girls, six months to 13 years; three boys, three to seven years. A half-caste named Carrol, aged about 30, formerly working on this station has a small place of his own. He employs two natives: one boy, 16, and one woman, 21. This party passed through Corunna Downs at the time I was there. The natives on this station are well fed and clothed, an appear to be contented. A good many were away for a holiday. Those that I saw were fat and sleek, the children looking particularly well and hearty. Shearing is done here by natives for the most part. Two births during last 12 months; two deaths during last 12 months, old women. Scale of rations: 12 lbs. flour, 1lb. sugar, ¼lb. tea, ½ sheep, 2 sticks tobacco, soap, man and woman, every six days. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Coongan 7th December, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. MARBLE BAR. - I saw ten (10) natives on relief at this place, administered by Corpl. Breen, Sergt. Smythe having been shifted elsewhere. They are as follows: - (1.) Coolabamurra, alias Jackie, Male, 55, infirm; (2.) Carragoora, alias Cabbagie, female, 55, infirm and blind in one eye; (3.) Bundoolamurra, alias Yennerie, male, 60, infirm; (4.) Youndie, female, 55, infirm; (5.) Cooladar, alias Cabbagie, female, 60, infirm; (6.) Meta Meta, female, 60, infirm; (7.) Minbaring, female, 45, blind and often sick; (8.) Williambung, alias Mary, female, 50, infirm; (9.) Cooberamurra, alias Jackie, male, 60, infirm; (10.) Cobadaboora, alias Judy, female, 60, infirm and blind in one eye. The above are all fit subjects for relief, and get 10lbs. flour, 1½lbs. sugar, and a little tea each, every week. They appear to have had no blankets given them last winter, but I feel confident the present officer in charge of the police will see they get their supply when the time comes. The Warden informed me there were 77 blankets now at Marble Bar, so no more should be required this next winter. Corpl. Breen, whom I know to be a good officer and an experienced man amongst natives, wishes to put a stop to natives working at hotels in the Bar, but the Warden appears to think there is no harm in their being thus employed; it certainly does seem rather hard that a native who is willing to work should not be allowed to do so, though I think they would be better off if kept out of the townships altogether. It appears to me, as I read the Act, that as long as a native is not loitering or hanging about a licensed house, he may be allowed to work in the employ of the publican. It would help me if you would kindly let me know your views on this subject and those of the Law Department. Corpl. Breen intends to keep all idle natives out of the township. This is a step in the right direction, and should be adopted in every case. There are 15 men employed at Marble Bar, from 15 up ; also five women. None of the latter appear to be actually employed at hotels., but I saw them knocking about the premises, and there is no doubt if their men are employed by publicans, the women are sure to be somewhere handy. There are few children ; two boys, seven and 10, one girl eight years, and one half-caste six months, were all I saw ; I believe there are others. One girl had been under Dr. Leary's treatment. I asked the police to take her up to Dr. Belgrave, who is now in the Bar. While at Marble Bar I received a wire from the postmaster at Nullagine, saying a woman had come to him very bad ; a chemist who happened to be in the township examined her and found her suffering from inflammation of the lungs. He was feeding and giving her medicine, so I wired asking him to look after her while ill and charge the Department, getting some reliable person to certify his account. I also obtaied some medicine from Mr. Belgrave, and sent by mail. This woman had a half-caste child, a few months old, so was unable to do much for herself. I saw her while at Nullagine, but she did not complain then. I have heard nothing further from Mr. McClarty, the postmaster. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Coongan, 7th December, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. WARRAWAGINE (De Grey River). - Messrs. Darlot Bros. & Co. ; managed by Mr. F. S. Thompson. On arrival to this station I found I found the managed had just gone away, and was not expected back for some days; consequently I had to put in nearly a week before he returned. I saw five (5) old natives here, from 40 to 60 odd. Mr. Thompson said there were generally 10 to 12 about the place. The others were somewhere on the run. These old people seemed to be doing all right, as the working natives are very well fed on this station, and the old people get their share, and in bad times they are given food to keep them going. Some little time ago Darlot Bros.& Co. bought Braeside, eight of the natives from there being employed at Warrawagine now, the others being away holiday-making, and are not really attached to any station. Mr Thompson did not ask for any relief, except in the shape of blankets. I think it would be as well to send a bale of 25 to Condon early in 1901, addressed to Darlot Bros &Co., care of Tifney & Co., Condon, to be distributed according to necessity by Mr. Thompson, who is a Protector, and I think a man to be relied upon. They should be at Condon not later than the end of March. The natives at this sation were all in good order ana useful lot; the cook, a very good one, was a native. Two boys were doing good work with the pit saw; they only required to have the timber marked for them. The natives also do all the best butchering, and are very smart at cutting up a beast. A half-caste, about 25, is a very smart bullock-driver. These natives are well fed, clothed, and seem happy and contented, and are spoken of as being a real good lot of workers. Thirty-nine men and boys, from 14 to 40; 24 women and girls, from 12 to 14. One birth (female) about 12 months ago. No deaths. No natives rationed out. Mr. Thompson has promised to send me his views on the signing question. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Mundabullanganna, 30th December, 1900. |