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. BALLADONIA STATION. - Messrs. Ponton Bros. & Sharp. Managed by Mr. Bijon. There are seven natives on relief at this station, as follows:— (1.) Chardah, F., 75, old and helpless ; (2.) Quorimba, F., 60, old and helpless ; (3.) Coodercowin, F., 60, old and helpless ; (4.) Weeorn, F., nine, orphan ; (5.) Cutterbin, F., nine, orphan ; (6.) Dinduru, F., seven, orphan ; (7.) Bob Bay, M., nine, orphan and a cripple. This relief is administered under supervision of the postmaster of Balladonia, Mr. Creagh, who appears to be a conscientious, careful man, and I feel convinced as well carried out. The natives are fed at the homestead and camps ; some of the orphans at the former place. The old women were away at one of the camps. Twelve men,18 to 47 ; four children, females, eight to 12 ; nine women, 30 to 45. A half-caste, Tommy Tucker, 21, a smart young fellow, is employed here, and is in receipt of wages. I saw him in Norseman in charge of two racehorses. His wife, a half-caste, is also a paid servant. They were married by the Rev. Burton in April, 1898, and have one son, a boy of two years. The woman Hetty Tucker, is clean and tidy, and was cooking at the time of my visit. These natives are well fed and clothed and evidently well treated ; they got bread and tea three times a day, with meat at mid-day. Here, as at Fraser's Range, the white employees live with native women. Kindly send to Mr. Creagh, Balladonia, by steam from Albany to Port Malcolm: - 3 doz eucalyptus oil; 3 doz. painkiller; 4oz. sulphate of zinc; 2oz laudanum: 4oz. iodoform. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Esperance, 30th January, 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. EACLA. - On arriving at Eucla I was surprised to find so many people on the jetty. There must have been at least 50 or 60, mostly resident in the district, besides a fair number of natives. Mr. McGill was at Eucla, and as he was leaving the following morning for "Mundrabella," I had to git through my work somewhat hurriedly, not wishing him to arrive at the station much before me. There were three camps of natives at this place, as follow: First, in charge of J. Rees, a S.A. half-caste of 30, who is employed kangarooing by Mr. G. Scott. There were seven natives working under this man; those I saw were well clothed, and evidently got all they required. There was one half-caste girl, 13, in this camp. Rees said she was his cousin. These natives are included in my report on Moodeny, owned by Mr. G. Scott. There were three of four S.A. natives here also, some aged, but all strong and hearty. Six or seven natives and women were employed at the telegraph stations, some by the W.A., others by the S.A. staffs, all being well fed and clothed. At one camp, close to the telegraph station, there was one woman with a half-caste child, 12 months old. I saw another S.A. half-caste child, 12 months old. I saw another S.A. half-caste, he being employed carting sandal-wood; he has a half-caste woman and four children. One woman, Carldoobadgie, alias Nellie, F., 36, a strong, healthy-looking woman, now employed at the telegraph station, was on relief at McGill's up to a few months ago. She came to Eucla with a native, her own man being dead; she has three children on the list at McGill's. There appeared to be no sickness amongst these natives. While at Eucla I interviewed the P.M., Mr. Ryan (W.A.), and Mr. Beere, storekeeper. The former informed me he has frequently urged the necessity of a constable being stationed here for many reasons. At present, there being no police nearer than Esperance Bay, a distance of at least 500 miles direct, there is no check; fortunately the residents in the district appear to be well behaved for the most part; but there can be no doubt the presence of a policeman would have prevented the misuse of much public money. A constable with a good knowledge of stock would be of great value as stock inspector. I am told a large number of stock comes across the border every year from South Australia. I was informed that a vast number of kangaroos are being killed weekly along this coast Consequently they must be becoming thin, and unless protected for two or three months per year, are likely to be exterminated within the next few years. A close season will go a long way to prevent this, but police would be necessary to enforce the law. There are several kangarooing camps along this coast, a great many natives being employed amongst them, and as far as I could gather they all appear to be well conducted, the natives getting plenty to eat and drink, and for the most part being very well dressed. Should the kangaroos become extinct, or so a few as to make hunting unremunerative, some of these natives will be thrown on the Government, but none of them should starve, there being any quantity of rabbits all along the coast, and I am told for some distance inland. Mr. Beere also urged the necessity of police at Eucla. He said there were only a very few natives in the district that should receive relief. There was plenty of work for all those able to do anything, but while able-bodied natives were being fed by Government they naturally would not work for their living. Mr. Beere considers the kangaroos are not decreasing to any great extent. On my way westward I passed two teams driven by natives, who were accompanied by their women, all four in splendid condition and well clothed. They were employed by Mr. Scott. A few miles farther on I met two more natives carrying rfles. They were not quite so well clothed as the former. They were also working for Mr. Scott. I would like to express my thanks to the W.A. staff at Eucla for their kindness. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Esperance Bay, 12th March, 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. NOONERA. - Mr. Beadon. Mr. Beadon employs nine men, 30 to 45, nine women, 18 to 40, five boys, 4 to 8, one girl, 11 years. One native was ill, probably consumption. I have asked Dr. Farmer to send some medicine for him to Israelite Bay, and from there go on by first chance. These natives all looked contented and happy, and were well fed and clothed. They were employed catching kangaroos and rabbits, also in obtaining sandalwood and other work. Most of these natives are signed. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Esperance Bay, 12th March, 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. MADURA. - At the old station a kangaroo hunter named Dave Boxer has camped and employs two men of 46 and two women, 34 and 45. There are two half-caste children, 4 and 7. I did not see these natives. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Esperance Bay, 12th March, 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. CLIFTON DOWNS (Eucla District). - Messrs. Talbot, Budge, and Anderson. Three men, 19 to 25; one boy, 15. Three women, 22 to 35; and one girl, four or five. The natives are employed at ordinary station work and are well fed, clothed, and treated generally. One woman does the cooking for Mr. Talbot and seems to be a very fair cook. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Esperance Bay, 12th March, 1902. |