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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La Grange Bay, 19th May, 1900. G. S. OLIVEY, Esq., Broome. Re native children, I have endeavoured to obtain the information required, but without success, as owing to my presence most natives are out back, and will not come in. As far as I can learn only about 25 children of both sexes, under the age of six years, could be found at La Grange, Bay and Whistler's Creek, but I will try and obtain more correct information as soon as possible and forward to Chief Protector of Aborigines. As far as I can judge, the number of children throughout Broome district does not exceed 60. This small number of children is chiefly due to a great number being killed by old women, for if a young gin has a baby she becomes useless for trading with Malays, whereas if she is rid of the child by disposing of same she can flourish until another one arrives. Of course it is useless to try and obtain evidence to bring these cases up. JOHN ZUM FELDE, P.C. |
To The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. YANDANOOKA. - Owned by Mr. S. J. Phillips. At this station I saw 16 adult natives and three children. Three of the former were apparently only visitors, and said they were going back to Dandaragan. (1.) Chigenagoo, alias Swamphen, male, 55. This native has been working in the district for some years, and is now only able to do light work. (2.) Culigie, alias Caroline, female, 40 ; says she came here nine months ago from Broad's. Her man having died, she now lives with "Swamphen." Is apparently strong, and well able to work. (3.) Jankera, alias Johnny, male, 70; comes from Hill River; has been about here for years droving for many people. (4.) Tarraminah, alias Jinnie, female, 50 ; says she has a son of 30 working for Mr. Phillips. Her man died last summer; says that they have both worked here for some years. She has another son of 12, Gilbill, alias Joe, who should be employed. I believe he can ride, etc. (5.) Jugilliah, alias Fanny, female, 35 ; strong, able-bodied woman, very fat, has a man working on the place ; one son of 20 working for Macpherson, of Carnamah. (6.) Iagilgarrah, alias Milly, female, 30; man also working here; no children. Woman fat and strong. (7.) Wabby Goorah, alias Sambo, male, 55; used to work for Clinch, of the Plains; has a son working for him now. (8.) Enginah, alias Biddy, female, 50; also worked at Clinch's; both say they intend to go back to Clinch's after shearing. (9.) Oilbimah, alias Mary, female, 45; used to work at Macpherson's; has a son working at Arrinoo; says she will return to Broad's. (10.) Walourah, alias Jinnie, female, 55; man dead; no children; nearly blind. (11.) Mollanadhu, alias Walkaway Jimmie, male, 60; blind in one eye; says he has been here one year; came from Walkaway; seems a smart old chap, and quite able to do any light work. (12.) Kateroo, alias Biddy, female, 30; strong, able-bodied woman; has four children, three boys and one half-caste girl; boys working, one for Mr. Phillips. Half-caste girl of seven, Fanny, appears nearly white, and should be removed. There is another half-caste girl in this woman's care, Lena, four or five years, her mother being dead. Biddy says she has been working here many years. (13.) Cokurngoo, alias Billie, male, 60; working here many years. Of the above, No. 2 (Caroline), No. 4 (Jinnie), No. 7 (Sambo), No. 8 (Biddy), No. 9 (Mary), and No. 12 (Biddy) should be able to earn their own living, if any work were to be had. Nos. 7 and 8 say they intend to return to Clinch's after shearing; No. 9 (Mary) also says she will return to Broad's No. 12 (Biddy) is a smart-looking woman; P.C. Buttle tells me she has anything but a good character. She has only one half-caste girl with her, Fanny, seven years. This girl should certainly be removed. Another half-caste girl of four or five, Lena, appears to be in her charge also. Biddy said she had been working here a long time. Of the others, Nos. 1, 3, 10, 11, and 13 are entitled to relief, the country around being very inhospitable for natives. As regards the others, it would be as well to obtain more information from Mr. Phillips, also Messrs. Clinch and Broad, as natives are not to be relied on to speak the truth. There may be work for some of them; failing this, I think we shall have to feed these natives, otherwise they will flock to the nearest townships. I only saw three children of the eight on your list. Two of these, Fanny and Lena, are entitled to relief, but I think the boy, Joe, should be made to work for his living. A boy of that age could be made very useful on any station. The two girls (5 and 6) are kept by the station. Unfortunately Mr. Phillips was not here during my visit, he having to go to Perth; consequently I was unable to obtain all the information necessary re these natives. Not doubt you will be able to get further particulars from Mr. Phillips. There can be no doubt Mr. Phillips feeds and clothes his natives well. All those I saw were in splendid condition and well dressed, with plenty of blankets, etc. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector Geraldton, 14th July, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. GABYON STATION. - Owned by Messrs. Moloney and J. Hearn; managed by the latter gentleman. This station has recently changed hands; four (4) natives were on relief under the old management, only two (2) of them were on the station at the time of my visit, viz. :— (1.) Muggamina, alias Monkey, male, 55 ; a smart old chap with one arm ; (2.) Goondeyer, alias Maggie, female, 55 ; apparently not very stronng. Monkey was doing a little light work, and Mr. Hearn said he did not intend to charge for either of these old people, but would feed them ; he only asked for blankets, which I promised to obtain, hence my wire from Murgoo. No one seemed to know what had become of the other two formerly on the list ; they had cleared out somewhere. Five men, 25 to 55, and seven women, 22 to 55, employed ; seven children, six boys from 12 months to 10 years (two of them half-castes, three and six), and one girl five years. All these natives were very fat and well clothed, and have evidently been well looked after. No natives are rationed out at present, all being fed either at the homestead or at the out-camp visited. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Yalgoo, 8th August, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. YUIN STATION. - Twelve miles from Yuin Reef; owned by Mr. W. Burges, and managed by Mr. F. Turnbull. Very few natives are employed on this station. Four men, 16 to 37, and two women (one a half-caste), 23 to and 35 ; one half-caste boy, 10 nearly blind ; one girl, 10. These natives are well fed and clothed, and are apparently well treated. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Yalgoo, 8th August, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. YUIN REEF. - I visited this mining camp from Gabyon on my bicycle on the way to Murgoo, and saw five (5) of the seven (7) natives on relief, as follows:— (1.) Miningurra alias Mickey, male, 60; broken kneecap, unable to work. He has a young woman who formerly belonged to his tribal brother. (2.) Jinaloo alias Caroline, female, 60; infirm. (3.) Mimicootharra alias Jacob, male, 70; blind, and very feeble. (4.) Workagie alias Dickey, male, 55; sick, rheumatic. (5.) Coolya Coolya alias Judy, female, 45; often sick; now fairly well. Has a half-caste boy, four years, in her charge. Her own daughter, half-caste, eight years, I saw doing odd jobs (knife cleaning, etc.), at one of the houses. (6.) Dowcloo, female, 50; said to be infirm.* (7.) Charlie, male, 50; said to be blind.* * (I did not see these two, they being away.) The natives seen all had blankets, Mr. Carlyon having given out six of the seven recieved, having one left to be given to Dowcloo. These natives appear to receive a good ration for the amount allowed: 50lbs. flour, 2lb. tea, 12lbs. sugar, 14lbs. meat, 1 tin baking powder, rice, matches, and tobacco, divided amongst them per week. They all appeared contented, and had plenty of food in their camps when visited. I also saw at this camp the following natives:—One woman of 20, who does odd jobs about the camp; one girl of 16, daughter of Coolya Coolya; one man, 26, working for Mr. Carlyon, who pays him 10s. per week and his food; one man, 35, also working; one woman, 35, was washing at the same house at which the young half-caste girl was working. I believe some of these natives come from Yuin and other stations in the neighbourhood. These small mining camps are a great attraction to natives, young and old, and I think there can be little doubt they often obtain liquor, there being a public house here and no police for many miles. The relief appears to be properly administered by Mr. Carlyon. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Yalgoo, 8th August, 1901. |