Narional Archives of Australia
Canberra Office
A6456 R136/004
Native Affairs, Reports by Patrol Officers
Patrol Report W MacDougall 25 June 1954
25th June, 1954
Superintendent Range
The patrol (undertaken largely on behalf of the State
Aborigines Department) to Copley via Coober Pedy, Anna Creek and Maree
was completed on 19 June 1954.
2. At Coober Pedy I found that the illegal supply of drink
had diminished considerably. Several aborigines made out applications
for Child Endowment, which I have forwarded to the Aborigines Department.
The need for a school for coloured children is urgent.
More claims for Child Endowment were made at Anna Creek.
3. I met Mr Bartlett, Chief Protector; Professor Cleland,
Dept Chairman of Aborigines Protection Board and Sister McKenzie, Welfare
Officer of Copley. A thorough investigation of possible ways and means
of improving the standard of living of coloured people, particuarly
those of several generations with a settled way of life, in that area
was made.
4. A visit was made to Nepabunna Mission for that purpose.
I cannot see any future for this Mission other than to care for the old
and the sick and to educate the children. It is essential that a trained
teacher be provided. Improved water supply and better dwellings would
help.
5. The question of exemptions was discussed at length. In
my limited experience I have not seen improvement in status, character or
standard of living, brought about by coloured people being granted
an exemption. I have seen several families wrecked by being exempted.
6. The few who live up to the required standard do not ask for
exemptions as they consider they have nothing to gain. It appears to me
that exemption from the licencing Act is the only exemption desired by
a very large majority of applicants for exemptions. Those who live up
to required standards are not interested in such an exemption.
7. I suggested that the problem be approached from a different
angle and that except where they are living on an Institution or Reserve
that restriction be not automatically imposed, but that those who abuse the
privilege be restrained, thus removing the desire for something that is
prohibited just because it is prohibited. It was considered that this would
develop into just another way of issuing exemptions.
8. At Leigh Creek arrangements for hospitalisation were made
and the possibility of one or two Trust Houses being made available to
selected half-caste employees was discussed.
9. The position at Finniss Springs is impossible. The arrangement
between the UAM and the owner of the Station, Mr Warren, is proving
unsatisfactory with the advancing years of Mr Warren. Tentative plans to
purchase the Station, make it a Reserve and set up a training centre there
were discussed at length. It was decided to proceed along the above lines.
10. After Mr Bartlett and party left Finniss Springs, a half-
caste girl ran a needle into her forearm. After consultation with the
Doctor at Broken Hill, it was decided that I should take the patient
to Maree and that she should go with Mr Bartlett to Leigh Creek hospital.
11. I then returned to Woomera via Billa Kalina.
W B MacDougall
Native Patrol Officer
Cundeelee Mission Station
Australian Aborigines Evangelical Mission Inc
Mail Freight Goods
Private Mail Bag via Zanthus, WA
Kalgoolie, WA
List of people here as of 30th June. And list of numbers rationed
for the three month period.
Adult names Age Sex Condition Health
Dick Watson Wadagee 45 M Indigent Good
Martie (Marcie?) Watson Earsella 30 F Indigent Good
Eric Watson 2 1/2 M Dependent Good
Percy Mitchell 65 M Indigent Fair
Lulu Mitchell 55 F Indigent Good
Jimmie Mardie Simpson 65 M Indigent Fair
Maggie Yarrie Simpson 45 F Indigent Good
Molly Eondoga 65 F Indigent Poor
Jean Juneuna 55 F Indigent Fair
Mary Conngeola 65 F Indigent Fair
Jimmie Beer Beer 70 M Indigent Fair
Don St Clair Durdy 24 M Indigent Good
Ralph St Clair Dungardie 20 M Indigent Good
Colin West 20 M Indigent Good
Johnie West 18 M Indigent Good
Bobby Smart 26 M Indigent Good
Sargent Kennedy 55 M Indigent Good
Alice Kennedy 18 F Indigent Good
Maria Kennedy 3 1/2 F Dependent Good
Betty Kennedy H/C 5 mth F Dependent Good
Toby Jamison 45 M Indigent Good
Fanny Willes 25 F Indigent Good
Charlie Willes 35 M Indigent Good
Peter Weewa 55 M Indigent Good
Collie Weewa 55 F Indigent Fair
Peter Coomballa Jackson 55 M Indigent Good
Maggie Maida Jackson 55 F Indigent Good
Tony Youngoogee 50 F Indigent Good
Dina Noonee 55 F Indigent Good
Gloria Newton 2 1/2 F Dependent Good
Ruby Yoobbaa 50 F Indigent Good
Johnny Morcome 65 M Indigent Good
Morton Morcome 65 F Indigent Good
Dan Jones 55 M Indigent Good
Fannie Jones 55 F Indigent Good
Total of 32 adults, 4 children in camp.
HOME CHILDREN Age Sex Caste Health Relation Condition
Ron Williams 14 M H/C Good Wadella's boy Good
Peter Jamison 13 M F/B Good Chungardie's boy Good
Leslie Walker 11 M F/B Good Wadagee's boy Dependent
Norman Simpson 11 M F/B Fair Mardie's boy Dependent
David Johnston 14 M F/B Good No parents living Dependent
Ned Kennedy 9 M F/B Good Long Jack's boy Dependent
Ron St Clair 8 M F/B Good Sinclair's boy Dependent
Brian Wilkes 8 M F/B Good Nalledn's boy Dependent
Stephen Roberts 7 M F/B Good Cherrie's bot Dependent
Percy Crawford 7 M F/B Good Parents dead Dependent
Dudley Williams 8 M H/C Good Waddell's boy Dependent
Lindsay Poopiddie 6 M F/B Good Poopiddie's boy Dependent
Robie Franks 6 M F/B Good Wonga's boy Dependent
Cyril Willes 4 M H/C Good Neendun's boy Dependent
John Watson 6 M F/B Good Wadagee's boy Dependent
Johnnie Roberts 5 M F/B Good Cherrie's boy Dependent
Raymond McCarty 6 M F/B Good Coorocudual's boy Dependent
May Lewa Gordon 13 F F/B Good Mingah's girl Dependent
Ida Wilson 12 F F/B Good Parents dead Dependent
Mary Franks 9 F H/C Good Wonga's girl Dependent
Alice Jackson 7 F F/B Good Coomballa's girl Dependent
Jill Green 5 F F/B Good Culladena's girl Dependent
22 children in Home.
Numbers rationed during three months
Week Adults Children
April 5 14 23
April 12 20 25
April 19 20 25
April 26 16 25
May 3 16 25
May 10 24 24
May 17 24 25
May 24 18 25
May 31 18 24
June 7 24 25
June 14 25 25
June 21 31 26
June 28 31 26
281 323
12 months period July 1, 1953 - July 1, 1954
Month Adults Children
July 423 162
August 382 171
September 201 103
October 206 106
November 188 129
December 63 96
January 64 93
February 35 86
March 78 105
April 70 98
May 100 123
June 111 102
52 ration days for yearly average of 37 adults and 26 children.
Yours Faithfully
Robert Stewart
Superintendent
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|