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. MYLYIE (DeGrey River). - Messers. Anderson Bros. The owners had just left for the South on my arrival at this station, Mr Cambell being in charge. I saw four old people here, from 60 to 80, kept by the station ; 20 men from 17 to 55 ; 14 women from 16 to 50 ; eight children, one to seven years. One birth, no deaths. Very few of these natives eat meat ; they do so occasionally. Scale of rations (very liberal) : 30lbs. flour, 2½lbs. sugar, ¼lb. tea, 2 sticks tobacco, man and woman, per week. Shearing done by natives. No natives are signed here. I have etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Mundabullaganna, 30th December, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. DEGREY. - Messrs. Grant, Anderson, and J. Edgar. Managed by Mr. S. R. Corney. As Mr. Corney wanted wanted the natives on this station signed, I had an opportunity of seeing them all, he driving me round. I signed 89 men and boys, from 14 to 55 ; and 84 women, 14 to 45. I also saw 33 old people, seven being men all over 60, the remainder woman, from 55 to 75. A few of these old people were out at the out camp, Pardoo. The man in charge there told me he fed them directly when neccessary, that is when times were bad and not many working natives on the place. At the homestead, where I saw the majority of the old people, they share the food with the working natives and are fed in hard times. I feel sure the supply of flour given by the Department is well distributed, and blankets also. Further up the DeGrey I saw two old people from here, and Port Hedland and Wedges more of them, out for a holiday, making a total of 40 seen. A bale of 55 or 60 blankets will be required to be sent to Condon about the end of March. I have asked Mr. Corney to supply six(6) to Mr. Wilding for the old people at Boodarrie. The natives on this station are well handled and give very little trouble, seem contented, and are well fed and clothed. They do nearly all the work, 48 of them being on the board at shearing, averaging nearly 50 per man. Carting (bullock teams) is all done by natives; fencing, well-sinking, and, in fact, all station work, only a few white men being employed as overseers. Cooking is also done by the boys. Two were on at the time of my visit, both good cooks. They work a month, when two others give them a spell, and so on. On no station have I seen more systematically-worked natives, and great credit is due to the firm and to those in charge generally for the manner in which they have been trained. Mr. Corney will not have a man or woman on the place unless they are willing to sign. He has promised to send me his views on this question. Ninety men and boys, from 14 to 55; 92 women and girls, from 14 to 45; 57 children (32 girls, 12 months to 12 years, and 25 boys, from 12 months to 12 years); 10 half-castes (two boys, three and 10 years; four girls, two to 11 years; four women, 18 to 23 years). Scale of rations: 30lbs. flour, 2lbs. sugar, ¼lb. tea, 2 sticks tobacco, man and woman, per week; some do not get sugar and tea. These natives seldom or never eat meat. Four deaths, two old people and two about 30 and 40; four births during last 12 months. At the out camp, Pardoo. I examined most of the women, and found several cases of venereal disease amongst them. I left medicine with the man in charge. Some of the cases were very disgusting. There were only one or two cases at the homestead. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Mundabullanganna, 30th December, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. PORT HEDLAND. - There were only five (5) natives at this place at the time of my visit. Sometimes, I am told, there are a good many. I saw three of the old people from De-Grey in the camp on the beach. They will probably return shortl four men and one woman, the latter living with a Malay, I believe. An old chap shepherds for the butcher; one man works at Rayner's store, the other two being employed by the publicans. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Mundabullanganna, 30th December, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. PORT HEDLAND. - There were not many natives at this place at the time of my visit. Sometimes, I am told, there are a good many. I saw three of the old people from DeGrey in the camp on the beach. They will probably return shortly. I am glad to say neither of the two publicans employ native labour at all. Finucane employs four men and five women; they were away shelling. I am told they are out-castes from the stations around. I also saw one half-caste girl, about 12. Two or three other natives are employed in the township. At the Post Office there is an old native servant, about 55 (a prisoner from Rottnest). The lineman told me he was very little good to him, being too old, and not much use with horses. A policeman is badly needed in this port; I believe one has been promised. Many natives come here holiday-making at times, and are apt to get into mischief when there are no police. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Mundabullanganna, 30th December, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. BOODARRIE (Turner River). - Messrs. Wedge and Richardson; managed by Mr. A. Wilding. There are no natives on relief here. I saw five old people, two of them belonging to the Degrey, out for a holiday. These old people seemed to be doing all right, and appear to get a fair thing. Mr. Wilding said there were three more away. I gave him an order on Mr. Corney, of the DeGrey, for six blankets for these old people. The working natives here are well handled, and are a very useful lot. They are well clothed and fed, and appear contented. Twenty-eight men and boys, 14 to 70; 24 women, 15 to 55; four girls, two years to 12; three boys, three to 12; one half-caste boy, 14 years; one girl, 12 years. Scale of rations: - 20lbs. flour, 10lbs. meat, 2lbs. sugar, ¼lb. tea, 2 sticks tobacco, man and woman, per week. The natives here get flour, etc., when going for a spell. One death, last October, man about 45; no births. Little or no sickness here. A man has come before my notice. Twelve months ago he took a boy (signed) from Boodarrie. Mr. Wedge, who was then on the place, took out a summons for this man, but could only get a verdict against the boy; the Resident Magistrate refusing to punish the man, saying he could not do so, but said he could give the boy six months. If such is the case, it is surely time the law was altered. Formerly there was a penalty of £20 or £50 attached to tampering with a servant. Has this Act been replaced? Mr. Wilding drove me out to several wells, where I signed natives. I spent Christmas at this station, and had a real good time; Mr. and Mrs. Wilding being kindness itself. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Croydon, 9th January, 1901. |