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. MT. MAGNET. - Just prior to my arrival here a large mob of natives left and went down to Yalgoo by train, consequently I did not see them. I only saw six women, from 22 to 50. They appeared to be all right, and were camped not far from the slaughter-yard, where no doubt they obtained a good deal of food. Two women were working there. I was pleased to find the police keep the natives out of the actual township, consequently there were none to be seen hanging about the hotels, etc., as in Yalgoo. The officer in charge of the police informed me there were generally 45 to 50 natives in the district, camped somewhere outside the township. There are no natives on relief here. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Wiluna, 30th September, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. CUE. - I proceeded to Cue on my bicycle, intending to go direct from Mt. Magnet to Lawlers and thence to Wiluna by bicycle, but hearing the road was good from Cue, with plenty of feed and water, decided to go direct in the buggy. Sub-Inspector Orme took me out to a native camp to see and old woman, but she had apparently been shifter by her mates, not being anywhere about. Sergeant O'Halloran told me the most of the Cue natives were now away up at Abbotts, and those camps where there were no police. They appear to give very little trouble in the Cue district, and none are to be seen hanging about the towns of Cue and Day Dawn. I called on Warden Hicks and brought before his notice the state of affairs at Yalgoo, and trust he may take steps in the matter shortly. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Wiluna, 30th September, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. WILUNA, LAKE WAY. - On my way from Wiluna to Lawlers, at a well some seven miles North of Kathleen Valley and 50 miles from Lawlers, I encountered a mob of 20 natives, 11 men and nine women with three children, on their way back to Wiluna; there were three old men amongst them, one of 65, the other two about 55 or 60, all able to get about. The men's ages ranged from 18 to 65, women 22 to 55, and children, two girls three years, one boy two and a-half or three. These natives were of much better physique than I was led to expect, and with one or two exceptions looked in good condition, the women and children being very fat. Two women suffering from venereal disease I treated at the time; they all started for Wiluna towards evening. Some of these natives on arriving at my camp demanded rations, but finding they had an old hand to deal with did not attempt any bounce. A day or so previous to this, a traveller informed me that three men, swagsmen, had been stuck up by a mob of these natives, who demanded tucker, and eventually obtained all the men had. I cannot vouch for this, but heard it from two or three different people, and from the way they accosted me, can quite believe they obtained the rations by bouncing the men. On arrival at Lawlers I reported this affair to Sergt. Pilkington. It appears to me these natives prowl about from one place to another, seldom doing any hunting and little or no work; a few of them do odd jobs at such places as Kathleen Valley and Sir Samuel, but I think the majority live on the women and what they can get by bounce. I asked one of these women to do some washing for me and promised her some flour, but she refused. At this well there is a quantity of native food, in the shape of nalgoes, but they did not trouble to obtain many of them. On arrival of these natives at Wiluna, P. C. Smith will probably apply to have two or three placed on the relief list. I would suggest in future, that nay more relief being applied for, it should be granted only through the Wardens at this and centres ; the rates would then be fixed at a fair thing. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Lake Darlot, 26th October, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. KATHLEEN VALLEY. - I saw a few natives at this camp when passing through ; most of them come in from Mt. Harris well, five miles on the road to Sir Samuel. I camped at this well and saw three women and three men there, one of the former suffering from venereal disease. I made up some medicine for her, which she refused to take. From this well the natives go both ways, some to the Valley, others to Sir Samuel. I also saw one child, a boy, about four years. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Lake Darlot, 26th October, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. MT. SIR SAMUEL. - P.C. Pitman informed me there were generally about 20 natives about this township, nearly all camped at Mt. Harris well. The constable told me those natives get plenty of food, and are generally quiet and well behaved, giving little or no trouble. No children. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Lake Darlot, 26th October, 1901. |