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. MORGANS. - At this town I saw 20 natives; 10 women 30 to 55, six men 20 to 40, two half-caste boys 5 and 3, and two boys 14 and 12. There appeared to be no disease amongst these natives. There were only two half-caste children amongst this lot. Children (black) are very scarce. These natives exist in the same manner as at other centres, and appear to do well. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Niagara, 7th December, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. KOOKYNIE. - Ten men 16 to 55, eight women 20 to 45, one girl 12, one half-caste boy, six years, and one of two years. These natives camp about three miles out to the west of the township, and all looked well and hearty. I could hear of no disease amongst them. They come into the town during the day, going round the houses getting tucker, etc. To thoroughly get in touch with these natives I should be camped somewhere on the fields, and be able to constantly get about amongst them, then I think much good could be done in attending to them when sick and diseased. Under existing circumstances, I am too short a time amongst them to obtain their confidence, consequently they will not own up to being sick. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Niagara, 7th December, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. FOUR MILE (Niagara). - A day or two previous to my arrival here, a large mob of natives went down by train to Menzies, so that I only saw one man, 35, three women, 30 to 45, two children (half-caste girl three, and one black girl five years). There were one or two other in the camp, but they cleared into the bush on our approach. I could hear of no disease amongst these natives. I would like to express my hearty thanks for the kind assistance given me by the police of Kookynie. P. C. Malone (in charge) gave me a horse and sent a constable round with me to track up the natives. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY. Travelling Inspector. Niagara, 7th December, 1901. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. COOLGARDIE. - At Coolgardie I only saw a few natives. Three men (3), two 35 and one 60, one half-caste woman, 20, and one boy, 10 years ; these being the only ones in the camp at the time of my visit. Sub-Inspector Sellenger informed me there were sometimes a good many about, but very few just then. At Bonnievale, where I had fixed my camp, there were some natives the day before I arrived, but they left the same day that I arrived, consequently I did not see them. All these natives appear to be constantly moving about from one place to another and live in the usual manner on the fields, sometimes doing a little work, principally the women; they often, I learned, would do little or nothing unless they obtained liquor in payment, which I have no doubt they get in many instances. The Sub-Inspector was of the same opinion as myself as regards fixing a day for the distribution of the blankets. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Esperance Bay, 27th January, 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. KALGOORLIE. - I visit Kalgoorlie from Coolgardie by train and called on Inspector Brophy, who informed me there were often a number of natives in this district, and that he was constantly receiving complaints from people about natives taking water, and in many cases intimidating women on the outskirts, using bad language, etc. The people do not appear to object to giving the natives food, but they strongly resent their taking water, which is a very expensive item on these fields. The Inspector suggested that water should be provided for the natives at one or other of the condensers on the outskirts of the town, and said no doubt an arrangement could be come to with the owner of a condensing plant to provide natives with water at a fixed rate. This appears to be a good suggestion. I certainly consider something should be done to provide the natives with water. The public can hardly be expected to find it for them. I saw a few natives in Kalgoorlie, but did not visit any camps there. Was informed there had been a big camp out Boulder way, but they had left quite recently, going towards Norseman. Inspector Brophy and the sergeant of police both consider the idea of fixing a day for the distribution of blankets a good one. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Esperance Bay, 27th January, 1902. |