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. JERRAMONGUP. - Mr. A. Y. Hassell. Managed by Mr. J. Hassell. There are three (3) natives on relief here, as follows:— (1.) Gnarbein or Junga, alias Polly, F., 70, unable to work ; (2.) Chaea, F., 13, a chinese half-caste (3.) Gratchen, F., 8 A parcel of seven blankets, received by Mr. Hassell, 12 months ago, without any instructions. I opened the package and gave out three for above natives, remainder will be held until required next year. Mr. Hassell said he did not recognise the claim of working women having relief blankets. Their men were paid and should be able to find the women in clothes, etc. It is quite refreshing to meet a gentleman with these views. In many cases employers of native labour endeavour to obtain all the assistance possible from the department. Eleven natives from 19 to 50,six women from 20 to 40, two girls (one and two years), six boys three weeks to 13 years, three half-castes six months to 12 years. Scale of rations : 10lbs. flour, 2lbs. sugar, 4ozs. tea, 8lbs. meat, per week. One death, two years ago, an old woman. One girl (22) died last year, probably from consumption. Three births in last two years Six other natives employed at intervals, now in the bush kangarooing, etc.; one white man living with half-caste woman, 45, having nine children, four months to 22 years; eldest son (22) lives with a native woman who has a baby two weeks old. Most of the natives constantly employed are signed and receive wages. The men about the place appeared to be good workers, and were employed chaff-cutting,etc., at the time of my visit. They are well fed and clothed, and appear contented and happy. A native woman signed to Mr. Hassell absconded some few weeks ago. She was living with a white man in Mr. Hassells employ, and left six or eight weeks after agreement was made. Mr. Hassell applied for a warrant, but the R.M., Albany, told him the woman could not be prosecuted on this agreement. This seems strange, as the woman took a mare and foal, saddle, bridle, hobbles, and bell when clearing out, these being recovered through the agency of Corporal Wall, at Ravensthorpe. If magistrates will not issue warrants in such cases, the agreement does not appear to be of much use. G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Perth 6th May, 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. BROOME HILL. - Mr. R. H. Jones. One native, Jannuc, male, 60, having a wife and six or seven children (from a few months to 23 years) is in receipt of relief, which is administered rather irregularly, the man sending in at intervals and getting three or four weeks' supply. This family, being away many miles in the bush and being unable to obtain any reliable information as to their exact whereabouts, I did not see. There are very few natives employed in this district. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Perth, 6th May, 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. PALLINUP ESTATE, Broome Hill. - Owned by Mr. J. F. Hassell. Managed by Mr. T. McGuire. Only one boy of 16 is actually employed by Mr. McGuire; he is paid £ s per month and his board. Four men, 20 to 55; two women, 21 and 50; and three children (boys), 18 months to seven years, are also on the run. These natives are kangarooing, etc., and are paid for their skins, buying their own rations and clothing. Other natives are employed shearing, for which they receive payment. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Perth, 6th May, 1902. |
KATANNING. - On visiting Katanning from Broome Hill, per bicycle, I called on the R.M., Dr. Black, and the police constable, obtaining a good deal of information from them on native matters. P.C. Foulkes informed me there were about 80 natives in this district, including children. There were four natives on relief at this town, as follows:— (1.) Wiberoo Puding alias Fred, male, 35, crippled arm. (2.) Paddy, male, said to be at Carrolup, and unable to get into Katanning. (3.) Willieburg alias Judy, female, 60, unable to work or get about much. (4.) Palburn alias Nadrey, female, 60, unable to work or get about much. (5.) Towah, alias Nardoo, male, 61, infirm ; this native placed on list April 23, 1902. The above natives are now supplied with rations by Mr. W. J. Rogers, and get 2lbs. flour, 5oz. sugar, and 1oz. tea per day. They come in once a month, as a rule. On making inquiries, I ascertained that Wiberoo alias Fred was temporarily employed by Messrs. Piesse Bros., and in receipt of £1 per week for shepherding, in the absence of another native. I at once struck this native off the list, and told him he must get his own living in future. The constable told me he also had employed him as a tracker at odd times, but did not know he was in receipt of relief at the time. In the place of Wiberoo, I placed another native, Towah alias Nardoo, male, 60, infirm, on the list, from 23rd April, 1902. The native is certainly unable to do much in the way of obtaining his own living. The two women I saw are certainly fit subjects for relief ; their camp, some little distance out of Katanning, was well supplied with food and clothing, etc. The native, Paddy, I did not see ; he was said to be out on the Carrolup River, and unable to get in for his rations ; but as Wiberoo had been in the habit of taking possession of these, I deemed it advisable to stop the supply unless the native came in himself, as he has not been seen for some time. In this action Dr. Black concurred, and sent an order to Mr. Rogers to that effect. When at Kojonup I rode out to Carrolup on the bicycle, and endeavoured to trace this native Paddy, but failed to do so. No doubt if he has been in the habit of receiving his rations regularly he will soon appear at Katanning after the supply has been stopped awhile. I do not think Wiberoo is to be trusted. In Katanning district there are some 50 or 60 half-castes—men, women, and children—amongst them being a dozen girls between ages of 8 and 14, these being half and three-quarter caste. About 10 half-caste men are employed on farms in the district clearing and shepherding, opossum hunting, etc. Some of the half-castes have bought blocks of land. There are some large families—4, 5, 6, and 7 children in some. About Christmas time 200 natives congregate at Katanning to play hockey. Some of the natives are also employed by the settlers occasionally burning, etc., but only at odd times; they prefer to earn a living by hunting generally. The present law allows the half-caste to obtain liquor at hotels;* often this finds its way into their camps and amongst the natives, and a disturbance id the result. All through these districts I consider the distribution of blankets should be on the same day. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. PERTH, 6th May, 1902. *Amended by legislation in 1902. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. KOJONUP. - I did not see any of the natives relieved by Mr. Jones at this place; they were all away, and only come in once a month for their rations. I fell satisfied this relief is well administered by Mr. Jones. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Perth, 6th May, 1902. |