Narional Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
CRS F315/0
Item 1949/393A Part 1
Patrol Officers Reports - All Patrol Officers 1949
Inspection and Medical Report of the Elsey Station 1947
Copyright P J Mackett, 2005
Inspection and Medical Report of the Elsey Station November - December 1947
Patrol Officer Kyle-Little.
This Report is divided as follows :-
(a) Medical
(b) Employment of Aboriginals
A. Medical
On the 17th November, 1947, Dr Hazelgrove took blood
tests and began treatment for 34 natives (suspected cases of
granuloma). The treatment consisted of 2 cc intra veinous
injection of NAB, 2 cc intra muscular injection of Bismol,
one Pulvule of Carbarsone.
I continued to treat the natives giving an intra muscular
injection of Bismol and Pulvule of Carbarsone every five days.
In all each native receiving treatment had a total of one NAB,
4 Bismol injections, 4 Pulvule of Carbarsone.
Dr Hazelgrove made a final inspection of the natives on
11th December taking 12 blood samples for tests.
The following is a list of all natives who received the
above treatment :-
Males Females
Hedrick Broncho Maudie
Jaberoo George Amy
Smiler Lily
Big Mouth Charlie Lulu
One Eye Dagen Alice
Puzzle Bluebell
Dicky Dick Topsy
Mataranka Nym Nancy
Cranky Dakin Clara
Mortica Ida
Nugget Kitty
Jungle Dick Olive
Sleepy Paddy Leana
Gilruth Marlow Maggie
Paddy Nillie
Mary
Old Rosie
Ruby
Amelie
Kitty
The youngest patients treated were Nancy and Ida. They
were approximately 12 years of age, both were married.
The majority of the above patients stayed in the vicinity
of the station. Ten to twelve patients would clear out after
every injection, some of them going a few miles down the river
into patches of jungle. However, these patients were found on
each occasion, returned and received their injections a day later.
The natives strongly objected to the injections and
during the course of treatment blamed every sickness to the
injections. (Mortica claimed he was dying after the second
injection, he rolled around the ground and succeeded in
frightening the remainder of the patients. However, he became
very much alive when I suggested two further injections to
stop him from dying.)
B. Employment of Natives
No. of Licence
Manager, Mr Crowson 916
Head Stockman, Mr G Lewis 917
Jackeroo, Mr W Tapp 918
Stockman, Mr Farrar 919
Stockman, Mr Farrell 220 (?920)
The following half-castes were employed at the Elsey :-
Name Age Status
Jack Farrell 42 Single
John Hodson 17 Single
Jim Wesley 44 Married
These men had their own quarters and ate with the white staff.
The following is a list of natives, and their dependants
employed and maintained at the Elsey :-
MALES
White Name Native Name Age
Elsey Dick Will-a-gear 29
Cranky Dakin Oongarri 36
Mataranka Nym 55
One Eye Dakin 36
Big Foot John Nan-i-gen 25
Smiler Bungoon-gulla 42
Hickey 46
Chadforth Paddy Col-in-ea 36
Puzzle Brunga 36
Big Mouth Charlie Ikinoo 36
Lighting 45
Sandy 40
Jaberoo George 42
Broncho Yan-a-mam 43
Dickey Dick Oom-dad 24
Fred 48
Hedrick Brew Gellen 36
Mortica Bononin 27
Algy 48
Clancy Mon-mie-re 18
Willie Wine-poor 17
Duncan George 45
Daylight Nangle 15
Jackaroo 14
FEMALES
White Name Native Name Age Children <12 Non-working lubras
Nancy Tall-a-bot 14
Clara 43
Kitty War-wool 38
Nellie ?
Ida Yat-a-jou-i 18
Leana Noalla 40 Non-worker
Olga 28 3 boys Non-worker
Luly ) Till-em-brumern 29
Fanny ) Blue-cher 42 1 girl Non-worker
Lily 30
Mary Nornie 16
Mary Ann ) 50 Non-worker
Ida No 2 ) Goondoon 35 Non-worker
Olive Nulligan 30 1 girl, 2 boys
Alice ?
Maudie Egual-a-gar 38
May Coom-a-jell 18
Rita 20
Bluebell 40
Peggy ?
Mary Cook-cookoo 37 1 girl H/C Non-worker
Single boys
Single boys
Single boys
Single boys
Single boys
Amy (single girl) 30
Rosie Jalgwith 14
ELSEY NATIVE DEPENDANTS
Males Females
Kimberley Daisy
Lennie Old Rosy
Big Jack Old Nellie
Manbullo Billy Manbullo Maudie
One Eye George Maggie
Elsey Paddy Paddy Nellie
Old Dick Leana
Old Dakin Mary Ann
Tyson Ida
Olga
Topsy
Dinah
Mary
Judy
Leana
CHILDREN UNDER 12
Males Females
Morris Sheila
Joseph Jessie
Splinter Lorna
Henry Shirley
Sandy Erica
Talbot Ileen
David Janie
Joseph Katie
Victor June
Sandy Dora
Joey Dinah
During my stay at the Elsey the only work being carried
out by natives was the household work being done by lubras and
yard building and repairs being done by Jack Farrell assisted
by twelve natives.
The present native camp consists of ex-Army tents erected
close to the river bank. These living conditions are totally
inadequate. However, Mr Crowson showed me materials he had
ready for the construction of houses for his native employees.
He expects these houses to be finished early in the new year.
No sanitation or washing facilities were provided for
the natives in the camp area. However there was a flow of good
running water (Roper River) within 20 yards of the camp.
All the natives I saw had been issued with a swag cover,
three blankets and mosquito net. Clothing consisted of two sets
of jodhpurs, two shirts, hat, elastic side boots, leggings and
spurs, pullover for boys, lubras had at least two dresses each,
the majority had three, all had towels.
The children were given small frocks or play suits.
Cooked rations were issued to workers, dependants were
given dry rations.
Rations consisted of bread, beef, vegetables, ie,
pumpkins, onions, marrow, dried fruits, jam, honey, syrup, tea,
sugar, goats milk was issued to children each morning.
No rice was issued to the natives. Mr Crowson informed
me he had ordered one hundred weight from south but as yet this
had not arrived.
All natives employed and dependants at the Elsey were well
victualled.
Two half-caste children, mother of these children was a
young lubra named Emily of Nutwood Downs, were brought back to
Darwin, their names being Bill, aged 4, and Joe, aged 2. The
lubra Emily approached me at the Elsey and asked me to take them
to Darwin.
The station books and accounts were in Melbourne under
review by the Company, therefore, could not be inspected.
S H Kyle-Little
Cadet Patrol Officer
16 December 1947
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