National Archives of Australia2
Darwin Office
CRS F1 Item 1954/96
Patrol Officers Reports 1954
Copyright P J Mackett, 2006
Welfare Branch
Elliott, NT
12 April 1957
The Director of Welfare
(Attn - Chief Welfare Officer)
Complaint by Mrs Humphrey, Daly Waters
Further to my telephone call this afternoon with
DWO Penhall re the above, I report as follows :-
1. I accompanied Snr/Const Stott to Daly Waters
in answer to request by Mrs Humphrey of the Hotel.
2. It was ascertained that Tambo's injuries
were confined only to a broken nose, the presence of blood
having magnified the extent of this wound. Tambo was
flown to Darwin Hospital on the date of the injury 11 April 1957.
3. On questioning accused, Leo, supported by
Aborigines Paddy, Lena, Splinter, Rosie and Topsy it was
ascertained that on 9 April 1957, whilst apparently under
the influence of alcohol, Tambo threatened Leo with
violence. [Information has been censored here by N.A.A.]
4. On 11 April 1957 Tambo, again somewhat
under the influence of alcohol, and armed with one
knife and two boomerangs, did throw one boomerang at
Leo. Leo in retaliation ran to his camp and returned armed and closed
with Tambo inflicting wound on Tambo's nose. The
boomerang was not thrown but used as a stick only.
5. As this would all involve much conflicting
evidence, some of which could not be supported in
court and possibly necessitate both parties
being charged with assault, I consider the matter not
to warrant Police intervention. Sen/Const Stott concurs.
6. As there have been complaints of liquor supplying
by persons unknown to Daly Waters Aborigines, and as
there would not be sufficient supervision to stop any
further violence between parties concerned, and as
none of the Aborigines at Daly Waters are employed
on wages except Tambo, Topsy and Norah, I have removed
these Aborigines to be taken care of as follows
Leo placed in droving employment with Willett
Splinter placed in droving employment with Willett
Penefold for eye treatment Tennant Creek Hospital
Norah and Pic? to Warrabri pending his bands? recovery
Paddy to Warrabri for employment and care
Lena to Warrabri for employment and care
Harry (child) to Warrabri for care and education
Mary (child) to Warrabri for care and education
7. I recommend Tambo be returned to Daly Waters
for employment after he has been informed that his
drinking habits must cease.
8. I am endeavouring to obtain more information
concerning those responsible for liquor supply to natives.
D R Morrison
T/Patrol Officer
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10th December 1953
Acting Director of Native Affairs
Native Affairs Branch
Darwin, N.T.
Hatches Creek Mining Field
Attached for your information is a report on the
Hatches Creek Mining Field submitted by Acting Patrol Officer
Kitching following his inspection on the 26th to 29th October,
1953.
All Mines were visited by the Patrol Officer and licences
brought up to date. Mr Johannsen is in Adelaide and will be
contacted on his return to Alice Springs.
The case against Paddy Waye failed although evidence
given by two native witnesses for the prosecution could not
be shaken to any material extent.
Working conditions of natives employed on the field
have always been superior to those employed on other Mining
fields, particularly in regard to wages. This group of natives
have been engaged on wolfram mining on Hatches creek for many
years and are therefore thoroughly conversant with every aspect
of the work and consequently are well looked after by their
respective employees, except in the matter of providing permanent
accomodation.
The latter aspect is no doubt largely influenced by the
fluctuating nature of the field, evidenced by the present low
price of wolfram which is causing all but the well established
miners to abandon their shows and seek employment elsewhere.
The native, Micky Clough, recovered from his self
inflicted wounds and is now at the Bungalow.
The suggested quarterly visits of inspection is
recommended and will be put into effect as and when Patrol Staff
become available for the purpose.
The general health of the community is provided for by
wireless contact with the Alice Springs Base and a visit by a
Medical Officer every three weeks.
W McCoy
Acting District Superintendent
____________________________________________________________________________
9th December 1953
Acting District Superintendent
Native Affairs Branch
Alice Springs
Hatches Creek Mining Field
The abovementioned mining field was inspected on the
26th, 27th, 28th,29th October, and a complete Census of
all natives seen on the area was taken.
All mines and shows were visited, the majority of
owners were seen, licences to employ were issued, where
needed, and a check made on the working and living conditions
of all natives.
No natives were found to be employed underground while
on my tour of inspection.
Only the well-established miners are employing natives,
while from my investigations, it would seem that the various
reports of natives just sitting down and living on the workers
is grossly exaggerated as I found that the so-called unemployed
were fossicking for tin or wolfram and selling it to the local
buyer or miners. This was in evidence as a number of natives
showed me the wolfram they were collecting.
The price of wolfram has dropped to a very low level
and most of the casual miners have left the field so it is
apparent that unless the price again rises, the majority of
natives at present working will be employed.
One native was found to be under the 'influence', he was in
company with a half-caste, Paddy Waye, who was in the same
condition. Both were brought to Alice Springs by Constable
McLean, the charge of drunkenness was proved while the supply
charge against Paddy Waye (Paddy Rice) was dismissed on a
technical point.
Conditions under which natives worked were uniform
throughout the field, pay variations were adjusted by the
issue of clothes or meals, and often the dependents were fed
as well.
Living quarters were in some cases tents or humpies,
and in most cases the usual bush wurlies. Water was still
carted in 44 gallon drums, and was in short supply, the mill
at the Police Station being out of order. The camps were
divided into three main groups, Wolfram Hill, Centre, and
Police Station.
Mr Kurt Johannsen, who was absent from the field, was
employing natives without a licence. This matter was brought
to his attention on my return to Alice Springs, and at the
present time, he is only employing Roger O'Keefe by contract,
as his other employee, Micky Clough, lacerated his leg with a
'sorry cut' which needed urgent medical treatment and was
brought in by myself.
I suggest that an inspection of this field should be
carried out every three months if possible.
I would like to record my appreciation of the assistance
and co-operation given by Police Constable J McLean, during
my inspection of the mines.
H D Kitching
Acting Patrol Officer
Employers
Employer : Mr J Bailey
Mine : Masters Gully
Employee(s) : William Nothing
Sandy Purula
Albert (on holidays)
Employer : Mr J English
Mine : Hit or Miss
Employee(s) : Hector Kamara
Employer : Mr A N Noski
Mine : Tribute miner
Employee(s) : Johnny Panunga
Employer : Isaac Spreadborough
Mine : Tribute miner
Employee(s) : Tommy Agamara
Employer : Mr Jim Herreen
Mine : Bonanza (Wolfram Hill)
Employee(s) : George Djabangardi
Jack Djangala
Left Hand Tommy Djulum
Friday Djambulga
Peter Bijana
Frank Bijana
Employer : Mr James Smith
Mine : Butcher
Employee(s) : William Choolum
Employer : Mrs Rita Simpson
Mine : Storekeeper
Employee(s) : Molly Abananga (house girl)
CENSUS of ABORIGINALS - Hatches Creek Station 1954
Name Abo. Name Tribe Age Remarks
Name Abo. Name Tribe Age Remarks
Johnny Panunga Kaitij Worker for A Moski
Nancy Purula Kaitij Wife
Clifford Banata Kaitij Son
Patsy Kaitij Daughter
Physic Purula Kaitij 48 S.E.
Molly Abananga Kaitij Wife
David Agamara Kaitij 6 Son
Danny Agamara Kaitij 3 Son
Hector Kamara Kaitij 55 Worker for J English
Florrie Panata Kaitij 50 Wife
George Djabangardi Kaitij 50 Worker for J Herreen
Left Hand Tommy Djulum Kaitij 55 Worker for J Herreen
Mary Kamara Kaitij 45 Wife
Peter Bijana Kaitij 35 Worker for J Herreen
Dorry Kamara Kaitij 30 Wife
Friday Djambulga Kaitij 30 Worker for J Herreen
Polly Purula Alyawarra 28 Wife
Frank Bijana Kaitij 50 Worker for J Herreen
Sumpy Numbiadi Kaitij 35 First wife
Kathy 13 Daughter
Ronnie 11 Son
Emily 6 Daughter
Albert 3 Son
Rosy 1 1/12 Daughter
Pansy Numbiadi Kaitij 25 Second wife
Doreen 6 Daughter
Roger 1 9/12 Son
Lady Nangalla Kaitij 70 Mother of Frank, A&I
Jack Djangala Wailbri 50 Worker for J Herreen
George Djagadai Wailbri 60 A&I
Topsy Chugadai Wailbri 50 Wife, A&I
Queensland Jim Kamara Kaitij 65 A&I
Frank Djungala Kaitij 65 A&I
Minnie Nambula Kaitij 55 Wife, A&I
Betty Nama Kaitij 3 Daughter
Willy Chungarai Wailbri 30 S.E.
Lilly Djambulga Illiaura Wife, 3 children at Bungalow
Slippery Agamara Kaitij 60 A&I
Nan Djungala Kaitij 50 Wife, A&I
Harry Wilson Pultara Kaitij 30 S.E., son of Slippery
Amelia Djagarai Kaitij 25 Wife
Henry Pultara Kaitij 35 S.E.
Mary Kamara Kaitij 25 First wife
Cassie Kamara Aranda 20 Second wife
Amone Numbiadi Kaitij 60 A&I
Mickey Clough Djagara Aranda 40 Worker for K Johannsen
Roger O'Keefe Wailbri 45 S.E. contracting
Nita Nambida Kaitij 35 Wife
Henry O'Keefe Kaitij 10 Son
Mary O'Keefe Kaitij 6 Daughter
Louis Djungala Wailbri 40 S.E.
Ruby Ngarai Alyawarra 30 Wife
Frank Pijarra Yaroinga 40 Police Tracker
Nelly Kamara Yaroinga 32 Wife
Willie Nothing Purula Yaroinga 50 Worker for J Bailey
Molly Ngabida Yaroinga 45 Wife
Kathleen Kamara Yaroinga 11 Daughter
Jerry Purula Alyawarra 40 S.E.
Margaret Panunga Alyawarra 20 Wife
Jack Kamara Alyawarra 35 S.E.
Emily Pijarra Alyawarra 25 Wife
Pat H/C Alyawarra 7 Daughter
Mick Kamara Alyawarra 15 Brother of Jack
Sandy Purula Aranda 50 Worker for J Bailey
Maudie Dempsey Numbila Aranda 45 De facto
Lindsay Purula Aranda 30 S.E.
Kathleen Kamara Yaroinga 25 Wife, niece of Maudie
Joyce 7 Daughter
Eileen 4 Daughter
Lucy 2 Daughter
Quartpot Kamara Yaroinga 50 Police Tracker
Katy Pultara Yaroinga 30 Wife
Margaret Purula Yaroinga 9 Daughter
Dorothy Purula Yaroinga 6 Daughter
Gilbert Abananga Yaroinga 4 Son
Betty Purula Yaroinga 1 Daughter
Lindsay Pijarra Yaroinga 50 Unemployed
Billy Pijarra Yaroinga 40 Unemployed
Mary Kamara Yaroinga 30 Wife
Lucky Yaroinga 6 Son
Audry Yaroinga 2 Daughter
Steppa Pultara Yaroinga 40 S.E., lame
Topsy Kamara Yaroinga 30 Wife
Mac Djagadai Yaroinga 5 Son
Joan Nambila Yaroinga 6/12 Daughter
Alec Pijarra Alyawarra 30 S.E.
Jessie Kamara Alyawarra 25 Wife
Peter Djagadai Alyawarra 13/12 Son
Totals
Males Females Children Total
Kaitij 14 13 14 41
Alyawarra 4 6 2 12
Yaroinga 6 6 12 24
Wailbri 5 1 -- 6
Aranda 3 2 -- 5
Totals 32 28 28 88
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