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. WANDAGEE (Minilya River). - Owned and managed by Me. G. J. Gooch. On arrival at Wandagee I found Mr. Gooch had not returned from the South, but was expected daily ; however he did not arrive while I was there, and as his overseers did not know much about the relief natives on the place, I am unable to report fully on them at present, but hope to do so on my way back. The overseer helped me as much as possible, and I was able to see all the natives on the station, but as all are fed at the homestead and are given food whenever they come for it, I was unable to pick out those on relief it being a very difficult matter to get their names correctly. It is very evident the natives on the station are well treated, fed and clothed. There are 18 men, from 15 to 40, and 13 women, from 25 to 40. No children. No births or deaths during the last 12 months. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Carnarvon, 20th April, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. YALOBIA (Gascoyne)._Owned and managed by Mr. J. Musk. No natives on relief here. Four men, 25 to 55; six women, 20 to 45; four children, two to six (one pair twins); one half-caste boy, four years. No births; two deaths, both old, during last 12 months. I spoke to a man about a half-caste boy (his son), and he assured me he intended to educate him as soon as he was old enough, and I have every reason to believe he will do so. The natives on this station are very well clothed, fed, and cared for. They get all they want in the way of rations. I have , etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Carnarvon, 21st April, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. BOOLOGOORO (Gascoyne). - Owned and managed by Mr. Campbell. There are now four natives on relief here: *Wedgegoo, alias Charlie, male, 55, sick and unable to work; *Guael, alias Yalgia, female, 55, blind; Jundu, alias Jumpup, male, 55, only one leg; * Cartenbiddy, alias Governor, male, 60, infirm. *These three natives were placed on the list by the ploice on 1st January, 1900, and are deserving of relief. None of the above have ever been employed by Mr. Campbell. They get 7lbs. flour, 2lbs. sugar, and ¼lb. tea per week. There are four men, 20 to 33, and three women 20 to 30, employed on this station; no children. The natives are well treated, and they appear happy and contented; two of the women are employed at the house and are real good house women. Rations: 12lbs. flour, 12lbs. meat, 4lbs. sugar, ¼lb. tea, and 4 sticks tobacco, per six days. No births or deaths during 12 months. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Carnarvon, 21st April, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. CARNARVON. - There have been 22 natives on relief at this town. I saw several of these natives supplied with their relations a day or two after my arrival. Mr. Baston gives them a liberal ration, viz., 10lbs. flour, 3lbs. sugar, and ¼lb. tea per week. After some difficulty, with the help of Sergeant Houlahan and P.C. Pollard, I have succeeded in getting a corrected list of names and ages of these natives, which I herewith append for your information. In the former list I consider the ages of several of these natives have been returned too young. I have only found one woman who should not be receiving rations. Mr. Foss tells me he thinks she was placed on the list by a former protector. This woman, some years ago, used to look after the children at Miss Butcher's Mission. I cut her off relief yesterday, but had to place an old man on it in her place. Most of these natives appear to come from around Carnarvon. No doubt they have come in from the stations close to the town in many cases, having been attracted by the other natives. Some of the old men would be able to do light work if on a station, but I do not think any one would be likely to employ them here. They are only fitted for looking after a few sheep or cows, etc., being too infirm for any other work. The women, in almost every case, are less fitted for work than the men, and I hardly think make much, if anything, by prostitution. One man and woman-Neddy and Maria-were placed on the list by Mr. Foss, on account of their having a large family of six children. The man is not at all strong, and often ailing, and a woman is heavily handicapped by the children. I am handing a corrected list of names and ages to Mr. Baston and the police. The police appear to have a good hold of the natives, keeping all except those working some two miles from the town. Two of the relief natives (a man and woman) went away three weeks ago in a boat with a man named Pedro (nigger), and have not been seen since. They are supposed to have been lost. I did not see those two. There are 20 now on the list. I had intended getting away yesterday, but more heavy rain having fallen inland the river came down strong again, and I heard from Mr. Brockman the roads were terribly boggy, so i decided to remain until after arrival of mail by "Bullarra." The police are constantly prosecuting white and coloured men for giving natives grog. Sergeant Houlahan is very keen on putting a stop to this. There are a great many children about the natives' camp of all ages, amongst them being three or four half-castes. It is a great pity to see these children, black and half-caste, growing up amongst such surroundings. I fear they will become utterly useless and a curse to the country unless something is done to remove them and teach them to earn their own living. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector. Carnarvon, 24th April, 1900. |
The Chief Protector of Aborigines, Perth. BOOLATHANA STATION. - Owned by Messrs. J. and C. Butcher ; managed by Mr. J. Butcher. Two men, 30 to 35, and two women, 30 to 40 ; three boys (indentured), one a half-caste, 12 to 17 ; one girl (indentured), 14 years, has had two children still-born. One birth (child died) during last twlve months. Natives well treated, fed, and clothed. No natives rationed out, all fed at homestead. Mr. Butcher is to send his views on the signing question. I have, etc., G. S. OLIVEY, Travelling Inspector, Minilya, 22nd May, 1900. |