Narional Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
CRS F315/0
Item 1949/393A Part 2
Patrol Officers Reports - All Patrol Officers 1949
Extract from Report on Patrol of Harts Range and Hatches Creek Police District 1949
Copyright P J Mackett, 2005
Extract from Report on Patrol of Harts Range and Hatches Creek Police District 1949
Full Blood Natives on Stations and Mines Hartz Range and Hatches Creek Police Area
Males Females
Employed Natives 122 15
Adult Dependents 22 84
Children 34 35
Others (Adults) 4 2
Others (Children) - 2
Aged and Infirm
(Neutral Junction)
Adults 10 15
Children 1 5
Total 193 158
Tribal Distribution
Aranda 123
Allyowarra or Ljowarra 165
Kaitij 56
Anmadjura 7
Total 351
There are many children under the age of three years, quite
a few being under one year. The proportion of children to the
total population is average for station natives. It is
interesting to note that it is approximately the same as that
on the Vestey's stations patrolled by Mr Sweeney and myself
in 1947.
E C Evans
Patrol Officer
12 July 1949
Napperby Station
Owners - Webb Brothers
Licence No - 2146 (Bennett Webb)
Manager - Bennett Webb is the manager but at the time of
our visit he was not present, Mr W A Gibson being left in
charge. Gibson is a white man legally married to Lucy
(described as a half-caste but who, in my opinion, is at least
threequarter black.
Natives - Aranda tribe
Stockcamp 5 males
House natives 2 females (one the wife of Gibson)
1 male
Dependents and camp natives 7 male adults
8 female adults (3 aged)
4 male children
2 female children (youngest child 3 years)
Total 29
Half-castes
There were no half-caste children on Napperby
at the time of our visit. However, the two who were located there
last year are still camping away from the station. Their mother
having apparently got wind of our intention to move them. It
will require a special patrol to apprehend them but, in view of
that the school year is now half-way through and that
St Mary's Hostel is close to saturation point with the existing
stadd, I recommend that it be left until next January to send
out and pick them up. There are two of them - one boy, Texas,
aged approximatelt 7 years ..........censored.........
........., and one girl, Lily, aged approximately 5 years and
.............censored..........................of Coniston Station.
Their mother originally came from Gordon Downs.
Yambah Station
Owners - Gorey Brothers
Manager - Mr Tom Gorey
Natives - Aranda tribe
Employees 5 males (others I believe were out with a stock camp)
1 female (house girl)
Dependants and camp natives 4 adult males (2 aged, both pensioned by the station)
8 adult females (4 aged)
2 female children (1 six months, 1 eighteen months)
Total 20
Half-castes
There were no half-castes on Yambah at the time of our visit.
General
The Goreys (there are three of them) have a good
attitude towards natives. The natives spoken to expressed their
satisfaction with their employees and conditions. The rations
supplied were adequate. Mrs Tom Gorey is educating by corres-
pondence, in association with her own children, a female
aborigine aged about 14 years and named Annabelle. The girl
is doing very well and in some subjects is more than a match
for the Gorey children.
Mt Riddock Station
Owners - Webb brothers
Manager - Mr K Webb
Licence - 2144 (Quentin Webb
2145 (Kilfoyle Webb)
Natives - Aranda tribe
Employees 3 males (only 1 stock boy)
2 females
Dependants Nil
Total 5
Half-castes
Nil.
Quartz Hill Station
Owners - W Cavanagh
This station is apparently a resumption from the original
Huckitta and our patrol of the Hartz Range Mines took us inside
the northern boundary. Cavanagh lives at the southern end of
the block near Arltunga and accordingly was not interviewed.
In any case he was away with cattle. The following information
was furnished to me by a native employee of the 'Last Chance'
Mine :-
Umbrelloraga Bore - Tended by
Fred (middle aged)
Nora (wife of Fred)
Inkamulla Bore - Lefthand Jack (young)
Lizzie (aged)
New Bore - Finnigan
Maggie, and their child Lindsay
Stock boys - George, Tommy, Jack and Fred
House girls - 2 females, the wives of two of the stock boys
Total - 13 (Aranda Tribe)
Indiana Station
Owner and Manager - B Bloomfield
Licences - No 2276 (B Bloomfield)
No 2277 (Morefield)
At the time of our visit a boring contractor (Mr T
Hopkins) and his wife and children were in occupation of the
homestead.
The only native was an aged lubra (nearly blind) who was
receiving rations from the Homestead.
The boring contractor was not aware of the number of
natives in the stock camp, with Bloomfield, was away
mustering.
Huckitta Station
Owner - W Kidman
Manager - W Madrill
Licence - No 2139 (Madrill)
Natives - Aranda tribe
Employees 5 males, stock camp
2 males, general hands
2 males, bore attendants
Dependants 2 adult females
3 male children
4 female children
(youngest child 3 years)
Total 18
Half castes
There are two half-castes on Huckitta -
Tony Clements, aged approximately 15 years, and
Pansy Clements, aged 9 years (born on 25. 4.1940)
Their father is a Jack Clements who once worked on Lucy
Creek Station. Tony is in the stock camp and appears to be
healthy and happy. Pansy is being cared for by Katie Williams,
a half-caste housekeeper at Huckitta. Katie is teaching Pansy
to speak English and a few other subjects but her education
must, of necessity, be of a very elementary nature. Pansy is
very clean and healthy and is being well cared for by Katie
who, herself, strikes me as being of very clean and stable
habits. I recommend that arrangements be made for Pansy to
attend school through St Mary's Hostel, she being permitted
to return to Huckitta during vacation periods.
Lucy Creek Station
Owner - Lucy Creek Pastoral Company
Joint Managers - R Tolley and C J Matheson
Licences - No 2365 C J Matheson
No 2402 R Tolley
Natives
Anmadjura tribe (Ti Tree and Aileron). These
natives have accepted employment at Lucy Creek but were engaged
by the Managers in Alice Springs with the approval of this Branch.
Employees - 3 males (stock boys)
Dependants - 2 females, adult
2 male children
Total - 7
Half-castes
Nil.
MacDonald Downs Station
Owner - C O Chalmers
Managers - M Chalmers (Cattle)
C Sinclair (Sheep)
Licences - No 2135 (M Chalmers)
No 2134 (C O Chalmers)
Natives (Ljowarra or Alltowarra)
Employees - 9 males (5 stock boys, 2 doggers, 2 general hands)
Dependents - 9 adult males (4 aged)
14 adult females (4 aged)
10 male children (2 under 1 year)
9 female children
Total - 51
Half-castes
Nil.
Dnieper Station
Owner - D Chalmers
Manager - F Rogers
Licences - No 2136 (D Chalmers)
No 2140 (F Rogers)
Natives (Aranda tribe)
Employees - 2 adult males
1 adult female
Dependents - 1 Adult female (aged)
2 male children
1 female children
Total - 7
Half-castes
Nil.
Mt Swan Station
Owner - Petrick Brothers
Manager - Petrick Brothers
Natives (Ijowarra or Allyowarra)
Employees - 7 (6 stock boys, 1 general hand)
Dependents - 2 adult males (aged and infirm)
8 Adult female (3 aged, 1 nearly blind)
3 male children
7 female children (youngest 6 months)
Total - 27
Half-castes
Nil.
Delny Station
Owner - A Kerr
Manager - A Kerr
Natives (Aranda tribe)
Employees - 3 adult males
Dependents - Nil
Total - 3
Half-castes
Nil.
Waite River Station
Owner - Dixon Brothers
Manager - Mr Ted Dixon
Licences - 2148, Ted Dixon
2149, Colin Dixon
Natives (Aranda tribe)
Employees - 3 males (stock boys)
2 females (1 kitchen, 1 goat-shepherd)
Others - 2 females (aged)
1 male (visitor, spelling from droving work with Gordon Oliffe)
Total - 8
Half-castes
Nil.
Utopia Station
Owner - McLeod Brothers
Manager - A McLeod
Licence - 2150, A McLeod
Natives (ILjowarra and Aranda tribe)
15 adult males (3 stock-boys, 7 contractors, 1 general hand, 4 aged)
14 adult females (1 house-girl, 2 goat-shepherds, 7 dependants (wives), 4 aged)
3 male children ) youngest six (6) months
1 female child )
33 (24 Ljowarra, 9 Aranda
Half-castes
There are three halfcastes on this station as follows :
Jimmy Kunoth - Aged approximately fourteen (14)
years. Father aleged to be
Sonny Kunoth.
Florrie Weir - Age approximately five (5) years.
Father alleged to be Jack Weir
(deceased).
Unnamed male - Aged approximately one (1) year.
Mother Topsy (House-girl).
The information of paternity was
furnished by Mr McLeod, the natives
stating that they did not know who
the father was. They supplied this
information in respect of the other
two without hesitation.
The last-mentioned child is very thin and sickly,
but according to McLeod, is receiving good treatment
and food. I recommend that, if the condition of this
child does not improve, McLeod be instructed to take
bim and his mother, Topsy, into Alice Springs
Hospital for examination and medical attention.
Jimmy Kunoth is in the stock-camp, is very fit
and happy, and I recommend he be left at Utopia.
Florrie Weir speaks little English, and I
recommend that she be taken away from the native
camp next year, if possible. She appears to be in
good health.
Woodgreen Station
Owner and Manager - R Purvis
Harpers Springs Station
Owner - W Hese
Manager - W Hese
Licence - 2302 (W Hese)
Natives (Aranda)
Employees 4 stock-boys
2 female house-girls
Dependants 2 aged females
1 male child
1 female child
Half-castes
Nil.
Woola Downs Station
Owners - Estate late Claude Necker and Mrs Heffernan
Manager - Mrs Beale
Neutral Junction Station
Owners - K Milne and D Ross
Manager - D Ross
Licence - At the time of our visit Ross and his wife
were both absent from the station.
Natives (Kaitij)
Employees - 8 males
1 female
Half-castes
One half-caste boy aged approximately three (3)
years named Jimmy. Father is alleged to be Jimmy
Monaghan of Tennant Creek.
Aged and Infirm
Since the establishment of Neutral Junction
Station as an Aged and Infirm ration depot, the number
of aged and other natives who have migrated there has
increased considerably. The numbers at the time of
our visit were as follows :-
10 adult males (1 blind)
11 aged females (2 of extreme age)
4 adult females (middle aged)
1 male child
5 female children
Total = 31
Murray Downs Station
Owner - A Harris
Manager - J WIlson (Acting)
Natives (Ljowarra or Alyowarra)
Employees - 3 stock-boys
Elkedra Station
Owner - J Driver
Manager - J Driver
Licences - 2200 (J Driver)
2198 (F Alone)
Natives (Ljowarra or Alyowarra)
Employees 11 males (8 stock-boys, 3 general hands)
2 females (house)
Dependants 6 adult females
4 male children
5 female children
Total 28
Halfcastes
No children. There are two adult halfcaste employees
in the stock-camp, Fred Alone and Don Dinnie).
These men have grown up in the Hatches Creek area and
have taken full bloods for wives.
Kurundi Station
Owner - J Matthew
Manager - J Matthew
Licence - 2175 (J Matthew)
Natives (Lijowarra)
Employees 4 stock-boys
2 kitchen-girls
Others 7 aged women (1 blind)
1 male child (about 2 years)
Total 14
Half-castes
Nil.
Singleton Station
Owner - K Milne
Manager - S Calder
Licence - 2404 (S Calder)
Mines
The mines of the Hartz Range area can be divided into
three groups :-
1. Those in the immediate vicinity of the Police
Station and west of the range;
2. Those east of the range; and
3. Those in the Plenty River area.
In the first area the miners operating are as follows -
The 'Disputed' - J Spurio - Licence No 2280
Spurio's licence is endorsed 'No females'. On approaching
Spurio's mine we came across a native camp comprising :-
1 male (aged)
2 females (aged)
1 female (middle-aged)
2 female children
Total = 6
In view of the endorsement on his licence Spurio was asked
to explain the presence of the women. In reply he stated that
only the old man was employed by him, the women being :-
1 - the wife of the old man;
1 - the wife of a native named Jimmy; and
1 - the mother-in-law of Jimmy.
The children were the offspring of Jimmy and his wife. It
appears that Jimmy, a bush native, was temporarily employed by
Spurio to build a goat-yard for which Spurio states he paid
Jimmy 14 pounds. This work had been completed and according to Spurio
Jimmy was waiting for the weather to clear before moving off
with his family. At the time of our visit Jimmy was alleged to
be visiting a Colin Pope (Licence No 2141).
The 'Rex' - Antonio Pangrazio - Licence No 2133
Nil
The 'Soptted Tiger - No Licence
Nil.
The 'Billy Hughes' - Del Tedesco - No Licence
One Aged native.
The 'Ulgarna' - D Coggan - Nolicence
Nil
The mines east of the range, in order in which they
were visited are :-
The 'Desperate' - P Missagia - Licence No 2281
Two natives of the Alyowarra tribe are employed on surface
work at this mine. Their duties include winch work and handling
of the mica when brought to the top. They receive 10/- per week
plus clothing and rations. A third boy is usually employed but
at the time of our visit had been loaned to B Bloomfield for
stock work. It is understood that this native is employed in
cutting mica. His wife is present in the camp but is not
employed. She is middle aged. The native employees camp in
two tents approximately 100 yards from Missagia's home.
Missagia is married with a grown up daughter. There is one
other Italian working in the mine. The mine was inspected.
The 'Solo' - J Bottegal - No licence
Nil
The 'Last Chance' - J Crispin - Licence No 2142
One middle aged Aranda native is employed on this
mine carting water per camel to the pit heads. He receives
5/- per week plus maintenance and clothing for himself and
wife. He camps in the bed of a creek (a tributary of the
Plenty) approximately two miles from the mine.
His camp consists of a humpy built of old iron, canvas
and shrubs. In the same creek we discovered another camp of
two aged men. They were no relation to the boy employed by
the 'Last Chance' and were apparently dependent upon the bush
for their food. One was suffering from a very heavy cold and he was
treated accordingly. Some medicine was left with them. We
also left them a bountiful supply of flour, rice, tea, sugar
and baking powder. Their water supply was furnished by a well
in the bed of the creek.
M Delavala - No Licence
Nil
The 'Lemon and Yellow' - A Delphi - No Licence
Nil.
The mines in the Plenty area are :-
The 'Whistleduck' - Bruno Castagne - Licence No 2279
No native is employed at the mine itself but an aged
native with two aged wives is employed as a goat shepherd.
These natives are camped on a Government bore approximately
ten miles from the 'Whistleduck' mine. In return for his services
Mr Castagna permits the native to kill one goat per week for
meat. In addition to this he fully rations all three with flour,
tea, sugar and jam. The natives were visited and spoken to and
they expressed satisfaction with their conditions. They are
each very old but quite able-bodied. They camp under a bush-
built humpy. They are well clothed.
I agree with Castagna that, in view of the fact that
these natives never leave the area, payment in money would not
be wise. Castagna values one goat at 10/- stating he sells
them for that to other Italians on the field.
Castagna's son also works on this mine, he being married
to an Australian girl. They have three young daughters. A
transceiver set is installed and the mine is only four miles
from an airstrip.
The 'Turkey' and the 'Dinkum'
Nil
Jervois Range Mines - Copper
'Hanlon's Reward' - J Coppock - Licence No 2311
This copper mine is situated on the eastern side of the
Jervois Range and at the present moment is giving a heavy yield.
Mr Coppock is employing the following natives :-
Francis (Aranda) - 1 wife, 1 male child and 1 female child
Walter (Aranda) - 1 wife and 1 male child
Frank Maynard (Aranda) - Single
Tom Crosby - Licence No 2415
Crosby employs one native (Archie) who has his wife (Emily) with him.
Sharp and Wright - no Licence
One native, whose wife, daughter and sister-in law are
with him, is employed and is alleged to be receiving 4 pounds per
week plus clothing and rations for himself and his dependents.
Barrow Creek Mines
Tim Hampton - Tin - Licence 2410
Hampton is working on a mine on the west side of the Stuart
Highway about 9 miles north of Barrow Creek. He employs one
male native (Kaitij) whose wife also resides near the mine.
The lubra is not employed.
Hampton, himself a half-caste, is married to a
half-caste and has a large family including two grown up sons.
'Home of Bullion ' Mine - Copper
Manager - T Becker
Licences - No 2354 (T Becker)
No 2370 (L Thompson)
Native - Kaitij tribe
Employees 6 adult males
Dependents 2 females (wives of 2 of the males)
Total 8
Half-castes
Nil.
Hatches Creek Mines
Ben Polet - Licence No 2053
Mr Polet is employing 2 natives on surface work (1 Kaitij
tribe, 1 Allyowarra tribe). He pays them 2 pounds per week and 1 pound
per week respectively plus food and clothing. The Kaitij boy has a
wife and 2 children (1 boy and one girl) and they all camp in the
vicinity of the Police Station.
R Khan - Licence No 2195
Mr Khan also employs two natives on surface work (drill
sharpening, etc). Again one of them is a member of the Kaitij
tribe while the other is Allyowarra. They receive 30/- each per
week plus food and clothing. One is married and they also camp
in the vicinity of the Police Station.
R Dunn - Licence No 2056
Mr Dunn employs one native (Allyowarra) and pays him
1 pound per week plus food and clothing. He also gives his employee
1 pound for every bag of wolfram brought to the top. This native
has not been employed for very long by Dunn who states that he
usually operates alone. The native camps in the vicinity of the
Police Station.
J W Fowles - 'Hit and Miss' Mine - Licence No 2191
Fowles has only recently taken over this mine which was
previously in the hands of the executors of the estate of the
previous owner. It is one of the largest mines on the field
but, according to report, has 70 ft of water in the shafts.
Fowles is awaiting delivery of pumping equipment before commenc-
ing operations underground. Meanwhile he is working alluvial
ore on the surface. He is employing three Allyowarra natives
and pays them 30/- per week plus food and clothing. These natives
also camp in the vicinity of the Police Station.
L Bailey - 'Treasure Mine' - Licence No 2052
He (Bailey) employs three natives (Allyowarra) and pays them one
pound per week plus full maintenance of themselves and their wives.
They camp in the vicinity of the mine and Bailey has provided covered
truck canopy frames as quarters for them. These provide shelter but
are only about 5 ft high. The natives, at the time of our visit,
were working on the surface handling the ore as it comes to the
surface.
S Rieff - 'Treasure Valley' - Licence No 2051
He (Rieff) employs four natives (Allyowarra) and pays them 1 pound per
week plus food and clothing. The natives camp in the vicinity of the
mine in bush humpies. One of the natives has been working for Rieff
for 18 years. They all expressed satisfaction with their conditions.
F M Knight - 'Pioneer' - Licence No 2055
Four natives (Allyowarra) are employed and are paid 4/10/- per week
each out of which, however 2/10/- per week is retained for messing
fees. Their wives are rationed but the natives have to find their
own clothing. They each have a wife and one has a male child. They
camp approximately half a mile from the white quarters in bush
humpies. Knight stated that he provided them with tents but these
were either burnt or gambled away. Also in the camp were six other
natives as follows -
2 adult males
2 adult females
2 female children
6 Total
These were apparently hangers-on and were told to
move on. Mr Knight was warned about the dangers of a 'camp'
establishing itself near his mine and Constable Darken was also
advised of the presence of these 'loafer' types. He promised to
take action.
J Higgins - Licence No 2194
Another of the original miners in this field. Higgins
employs one native and at the time of our visit was working
alluvial ore in a creek bed. He pays his employee 1 pound per week
plus food and clothing. The native is single and camos in the
vicinity of Higgins quarters.
Others
Two other miners, C Anderson and A Henderson were absent
from their mines but it is understood that neither of them
employs native labout.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|