Narional Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
CRS F315/0
Item 1949/393A Part 2
Patrol Officers Reports - All Patrol Officers 1949
Miscellaneous Reports
Copyright P J Mackett, 2008
(1) Report on Patrol of Hartz Range and Hatches Creek Police Areas 1949
Napperby Station
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 intentions to move them. It will require a special
patrol to apprehend them but, in view of the fact that the school
year is now half-way through and that St Mary's Hostel is close
to saturation point with the existingstaff, 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 approximately 7 years .......
..........., and one girl, Lily, aged approximately 5 years and ..
....................of Coniston station. Their mother originally
came from Gordon Downs.
(............... = censored.)
Yambah Station
The Goreys (there are three of them) have a good attitude towards
natives. The natives spoken to expressed their satisfaction with
their employers and conditions. The rations supplied are adequate.
Mrs Tom Gorey is educating by correspondence, 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.
Quartz Hill Station
This station is apparently a resumption from the original Huckitta
and our patrol of the Hartz Range 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) and Nora, his aged wife.
Inkamulla Bore tended by Lefthand Jack (young) and Lizzie (aged)
New Bore tended by 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)
Huckitta Station
There are two half-castes on Huckitta :-
Tony Clements, aged approximately 15 years
Pansy Clements, aged 9 years, born 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.
MacDonald Downs Station
There were several natives in the camp from Lake Nash and one
of them was almost certainly identified as a Tommy whose name
appears on the Alice Springs Aboriginal Trust Fund statement.
Utopia Station
There are three half-castes on this station as follows :-
Jimmy Kunoth - aged approximately fourteen (14) years. Father
alleged to be Sonny Kunoth.
Florrie Weir - aged approximately five (5) years. Father
alleged to be Jack Weir (deceased).
Unnamed male - aged approximately one (1) year. Mother
Topsy (house-girl). .................................
The information on paternity was furnished by A McLeod, Manager,
the natives stating that they did not know who the father was.
They supplied this information in respect of the other two without
hesitation.
(....... = censored.)
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 him 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.
Neutral Junction Station
One half-caste boy aged approximately three (3) years named Jimmy.
Father is alleged to be Jimmy Monaghan of Tennant Creek.
Elkedra Station
No half-caste children. There are two adult half-caste employees
in the stock-camp :-
Fred Alone
Don Dinnie
These men have grown up in the Hatches Creek area and have taken
full-bloods for wives.
Mine Hartz Range area - The 'Disputed' J Spurio Licence No 2280
Jimmy a bush native, wife and two children
Old man and wife
Mine Jervois Range area - Hanlon's Reward J Coppock Licence No 2311
Francis (Aranda), 1 wife, 1 male child, 1 female child
Walter (Aranda), 1 wife, 1 male child
Frank Maynard (Aranda), single
These natives were recruited from Alice Springs.
Mine Jervois Range area - Tom Crosby Licence No 2415
Archie and wife Emily.
Mine Barrow Creek area - Tim Hampton Licence No 2410
Tim Hampton is a half-caste and is married to a half-caste and has
a large family including two grown up sons.
Mine Barrow Creek area - Home of Bullion Mine
Six adult male natives as well as wives of two.
Include Shulameen T.21 and Mick Bullion M.22 who are included in the
Trust Fund Statement.
E C Evans, Patrol Officer, 12. 7.1949
(2) Report on Patrol of Southern Stations, Finke Police District and South-West Reserve 1949
Henbury Station
Owner Estate J A Braeden - Executor Trustee Co Adelaide
Manager Mr G W Pearce
Sonny Swan 3/4W head stockman.
Gordon Abbott H/C granted Exemption through War Service.
Kenneth Swan H/C granted Exemption through War Service.
Coloured boy Jim Kernan wants to marry a coloured girl Vera Armstrong. Consent of girl's
father obtained.
Finke Siding
Ration Depot operates at the Police Station.
There are only two half-castes in the area.
One came from Oodnadatta, a girl named Eva James about 16 years old. She is very reticent
about her past, but could possibly be 3/4 white. She is pregnant at the moment and the
alleged father of this child is a full blood native. She has elected to stay in the camp
to have her baby. No good purpose would be served in removing her.
The other is a young girl named Emily Thompson aged approximately 15 years. She is the one
who gave information against Mr F J Hird (see report on H K Woods). I think that she should
also stay in the camp for the time being. It is the only environment she knows. When room
is available she could be removed to st Marys Hostel, and receive domestic training, as she
will remain a source of trouble to Constable Brown while there is a possibility of undesirable
whites being at the finke.
Maryvale Station
Owner ?Bokharsa Pastoral Co
Manager E Pohl
The only coloured person on the station is Abbey Foster aged approximately 50 years. She is quite
happy and has no desire to change her mode or place of living.
Deep Well Station
Owner V C Oldfield
Manager V C Oldfield
Mt Cavanagh Station
Owner Mr H Kitto
Sundown Station S.A.
Owner Mr H Kitto
Manager Mr A Brumby
Curtin Springs
Owner Mr O Andrews
Victory Downs Station
Owner Mr H G Briscoe
Mt Connor Station
Owner Mr de Conlay
A native woman named Cunethara aged about 30 years who was walkabout from Areyonga,
in my opinion was suffering from advanced TB and malnutrition.
Another native woman named Dennymire is being maintained by Mr de Conley. She is the
mother of his two half-caste sons, Robert aged 16 years and Walter aged 13 years.
Both of these boys have been reasonably well educated, and now assist their father
with stock work.
Karee Station
Owner Mr Cousins (about to change hands to the Fogarty Brothers)
Kulgera Station
Manager Mr R L Coulthard
Umbearra Station
Owner Mr R H Harris
Manager Mr J Russell
Mr S Ferguson fencing on Umbearra. His son is D Ferguson, part Aboriginal.
New Crown Station
Owner R J Smith
Manager R J Smith
The girl Emmie H/C is about 15 or 16 years of age and is reticent regarding her history.
She has apparently been absorbed into the tribe and can speak very little English.
She is quite happy to remain in the camp and I dont think it would help her in any way
to remove her from her present environment.
Horse Shoe Bend Station
Owner Mr C T Golder
Manager Mr C T Golder
Jimmy Kenny H/C and his family occupy a dwelling. Jimmy Kenny had a leg amputated
some time ago and has an artificial limb.
Jim Swan H/C and his family occupy a dwelling.
Lilla Creek
Owner Angus and Archibald McPherson
Manager Archibald McPherson
Idracowra Station
Owner Mr J Mortimore
Manager Mr J I Dempster
Angas Downs
Owner Liddle Brothers M and A.
They are coloured people who have gained exemptions. One is Milton Liddle.
Tempe Downs
Owner Estate F A Hince
Manager J O'Brien
Jack O'Donnell from Queensland has been on Tempe Downs for 7 years married to a
full blood. Not exempt in the Northern territory and also one girl about 2 years
old. Father unknown. Would suggest that this kiddie be brought in for education
purposes when old enough.
Erldunda Station
Owner S G Stanes
Manager S G Stanes
Renners Rock Station
Owner R H Buck
Two half-caste girls aged 7 and 14 years. Mr Buck has assumed responsibility for
these girls and is looking after them. This is contrary to the Ordinance but as
Mr Buck is now 73 years old there would be no danger of illicit relationship.
The girls were very well clothed and in excellent health, they are the daughters
of Sonny Breadon 3/4W deceased and full blood Tungo. One is too old for educating
and the other could possibly be brought in next year for schooling.
Mt Quinn Station (Titra Well)
Owner Mr A Butler
Alice Malthouse aged 20 daughter of Billy Malthouse 3/4 black and full blood
living in the camp. Helen Malthouse aged 1 year daughter of Alice Malthouse
and full blood. I dont recommend any action regarding these two. They are
not over endowed with white blood, and no good purpose could be served by
removing them.
Andado Station
Owner Mr W A Turner (also manager)
Ayers Rock
No details.
Rumbalara Ochre Mines
Manager Mr A F de Souza
Tony Butler coloured worker.
Jack Boomi coloured worker.
The only full bloods at the Mine are Casey and his wife Dorothy.
Tieyon Station
Owner Mr Frank Smith, father of Mr R J Smith of New Crown Station
De Rose Hill (S.A.)
Owner Mr D Fuller
Sundown Station
See Report Mt Cavanagh Station, Northern territory.
Kenmore Park Station (S.A.)
Manager Mr Rex Lowe
Station adjoins Victory Downs Station, Northern Territory.
Ernabella Mission (S.A.)
No details.
Railway Sidings
Deep Well, Northern Territory
Rodinga, Northern Territory
Rumbalara, Northern Territory
Abminga, South Australia.
No details.
L N Penhall, Patrol Officer, 29. 8.1949
(3) Patrol of Beswick Station and Roper River Mission
Left Darwin on 14. 6.1949 with the following
Bob Maiali ex witness for Pine Creek
Dick Djauan for Katherine
Jimmy and Necktie (Rembarrnga) ex hospital for Beswick Station
Roper Valley Station
Bill Huddleston, a 3/4C, is a head stockman on the station.
H/C Jack Farrel has left Elsey station and is now employed
by Mr Holt of Roper Valley Station.
Lewien Springs and Jindare Station
A H/C, Fred Kirk, lives at the old Cullen Station.He lives
with a H/C woman, Mrs Waldon who is a widow. Kirk is employed
with the road party at Pine Creek.
Lewien Springs is deserted. Jindare Station is owned by Mrs Burnard
and Alf Walker. They employ H/C George Thompson, 21 years of age.
Thompson is living with a native woman, Jennie, of the Rembarrnga
tribe. Jennie and her F/B son of about 10 years of age are the only
natives on the station. George Thompson had refused an offer from
his father in the Kimberley district to pay his fare to the West and
had elected to remain at Jindare.
Mrs Hart and her children had left Pine Creek for Mataranka.
Black and White Mine, Fountain Head
The following natives are employed :-
Dandy Imelma, Wagaman, 48 years
Mary Djilin, Wagaman, 45 years
Paddy Dirilk, Wagaman, 70 years
Willie Wugal, Wagaman, 18 years, single
Humpty Doo Station - Half-caste child
I called at Humpty Doo Station on the evening of the 27th to
pick up a half-caste female child (..............................)
in the native camp.
The natives heard me discussing the child with the white
cook, Mr Rooney. They carried word to the camp and the mother
Maggie (Malak Malak) went bush with the child.
Maggie's husband Micky (Malak Malak) agreed to look for
Maggie next morning and bring her and the child in.
Next day Micky searched for Maggie without success. I had
a talk with Micky and he will endeavour to persuade Maggie to
bring the child into Darwin herself.
I arrived in Darwin on 28th June, 1949.
Note ........ = censored
G Sweeney, Patrol Officer, 5. 7.1949
(4) Migration of Natives from Yirrkala
The following natives from Yirrkala arrived at Mainoru Station
approximately two weeks ago :-
Jin-ay-nee
Wonjuk
Jim Nongoonu
Jackie Malerr-pum
Bob Dungalla
Alan Won-go-ballie
Frank Ninimbee
Tom Kol-i-pee
Charlie Mar-ray-unba
They are Rerajingu natives but are able to converse in Gobawingu and
other dialects of the Yirrkala area. Both Jin-ay-nee and Wonjuk speak
excellent English whilst the others are able to make themselves understood.
Jin-ay-nee, Wonjuk and Jackie have been to Darwin before but this is the
first time that the others have left their tribal boundaries. Their ages
range from approximately 16 years to 24 years. Both Jin-ay-nee and
Wonjuk are married and have left their wives at Yirrkala. The other
seven are single.
Also mentions a Jinbah native (Turkey) at Mainoru who was able to
converse in both Remburunga and Gobawingu.
Jin-ay-nee was taken to Groote Eylandt as a youth by Mr Grey who took
him into his home and treated him as an equal. Wonjuk is his brother.
E C Evans, Patrol Officer, 22. 8.1949
(5) Hookers Creek Settlement
There are at present thirty permanent native residents at Hookers
Creek.
Toby Walberry, a native child approximately seven years of age and who
has been the subject of communication with you regarding his health,
is progressing very well and picking up in condition. His toes are
almost healed and although he could not yet be described as robust
he is certainly very happy and active.
E C Evans, Patrol Officer, 7. 9.1949
(6) Report on Munin-grida Station - Liverpool River
Mentions oondabund, Patrol boy
Narlibibar, crew boy
S H Kyle-Little, Patrol Officer, 12. 9.1949
(7) Clothing for Part-aboriginal Children Admitted to Croker Island Mission
Miss Shankleton provided the 5 part-aborifinal children - Dora, Rita,
Captain, Peggy and Florrie - who are from Wave Hill, with clothing
while they were at the Bagot Home on a replacement basis.
The children will wear this clothing to Croker Island.
The nine children (Jimmy, Morna, Linda and Edna in addition to the
above) going forward to Croker Island abouth 5th November, 1949,
should be supplied with one issue of new clothing.
G Sweeney, Patrol Officer, 4.11.1949
(8) Con Perry - Tennant Creek
On monday, 17th October, 1949, I interviewed the above and questioned
him on the employment of natives.
He stated that he employed four (4) boys and an exempt half-caste
part-aboriginal named Dudley Piper.
A boy named Max was employed as an off-sider to Dudley.
L N Penhall, Patrol Officer, 20.10.1949
(9) Patrol per P.V. 'Kuru' to Groote Eylandt
Left on 29. 9.1949 on P.V. 'Kuri' to apprehend and bring to Darwin
aborigine Mick Noanoa from Groote Eylandt. Native assistant was
Albert Oolah-boog-goo.
Reached Grey's Setlement at Umba-Cumba. His H/C employee Jerry
Blitner had volunteered to assist in capturing Mick Noanoa.
On 8th October, 1949, at about 1930 hours Mick, with his four
wives and sixteen children, was caught about 18 miles south of
the Groote Eylandt Church Missionary Society Settlement.
I recommend that Mick be retained in Darwin for at least two
years and that at least one of his wives be brought to him.
Mr Short, Acting Superintendent of the Groote Eylandt Mission,
informed me that the young half-caste girl Hazel is ready to go
to a half-caste institution. He suggests that if there is no
vacancy at St Mary's Hostel, Alice Springs, perhaps it would be
in the child's interests if she went to Croker Island. I agree
with him that the girl should be removed from the Groote Eylandt
Mission as soon as possible.
Report on Gray's Native SEttlement, Umba-Cumba, Groote Eylandt
mentions the following :-
The part-aborigine Jerry Blitner is a competent all-round handy
man and is staisfied with his employment. He is a good influence
and has firm control over the natives. His wife Jessie is in
charge of the girl's dormitory.
One of Gray's natives, Nangurama, was committed to Darwin this
year and was brought in by P.V. 'Kuru'. He thinks Nangurama is
to stay away from Groote Eylandt for twelve months but he suggests
that the committal should be for three years as a warningto the
other natives not to break tribal laws. Aborigines have in the
past been sent to Darwin from Groote Eylandt as a punishment
but their removal has been more in the nature of a holiday. I
refer in particular to those Groote Eylandt Islanders who were
employed by QANTAS at Berrimah in 1946 and who later returned to
their country with over three tons of supplied and presents.
Nandjirrpia is another of Gray's natives who this year came to
Darwin as a leper suspect. Information about him is desired.
Jessie Blitner desires to obtain the addresses of her brother
Wilfred and sisters Cecily and Ida Huddleston.
J R Ryan, Patrol Officer, 31.10.1949
(10) Re Ranger Tommy or Tommy Rinjirr (Bulain)
Ranger Tommy, under an order signed 17th August, 1949,
was sent to Snake Bay for disciplinary reasons on 27th August,
1949, for a term of twelve months. He had only recently completed
a disciplinary term at Snake Bay.
He is a member of the Ngalgbun tribe, the majority of whom are now
at Mainoru, Beswick and Katherine. His sub-section is Bulain.
Before his first sentence to Snake Bay he had three wives :-
Molly Nalaj (Berlin), Berlin is female of Buland
Mary Mirwidi (Gali), Gali is female of Gela)
Maggie Mugbulju (Berlin)
All three women are 'straight' for him and were legally his by
aboriginal law.
His wife, Molly Nalaj, accompanied him to Snake Bay during his
first term and is with him now at Snake Bay. Mary and Maggie
remained at Beswick.
G Sweeney, Patrol Officer, 19. 9.1949
(11) Report on Oenpelli Mission
Arrived at Oenpelli on Saturday 3rd December, 1949.
Aborigines mentioned are
Joshua Oorongargnu, aged 30 years
Frank Janjual, aged 28 years
Nipper Marakura, aged 65 years and his wife Dolly Maidjingurdi, aged 25 years
E C Evans, Patrol Officer, 12.12.1949
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
|