Narional Archives of Australia
Canberra Office
A6456 R136/007
Patrol Report, W MacDougall and R Macaulay, 10 August 1960
Woomera, SA
10 August 1960
Superintendent
Woomera, SA
Patrol 15th June - 31st July, 1960
International 20 cwt utility 4 x 4 No. C90148 used.
6161 miles travelled.
560 gallons petrol used.
This patrol included the inspection of Central Reserves
and North South Australia by the Hon. G Pearson, Minister for
Works and Aboriginal Welfare in South Australia.
Report on South Australian Ministerial Native Welfare
Inspection of Central Reserves and North South Australia by
NPO Macaulay (File 56/314 20th July, 1960, folio 194) covers
from 22nd June to 6th July, 1960. After travelling with the Min-
ister and party to Marree I returned to the Central Reserve via Ood-
nadatta.
ASSISTANCE FOR KALGOOLIE POLICE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Prior to the arrival of the Minister at Giles, Kalgoolie
Police requested help in discovering Frank McLean, a native alleged to
have unlawfully killed another native at Warburton Mission on Monday
6th June.
On Monday 20th June, I transported 44 gallons of petrol
From Giles to Blackstone for the Police Party.
Monday 11th July, tracks of a small party of natives seen
travelling towards Wingellina. One was wearing boots. Reported
to Kalgoolie Police, through BW, that I believed it to be Frank McLean's
party.
Monday 18th July, saw tracks of McLean's party at Wingellina.
Saw Frank and his sister at Mt Davies. Frank willing to give himself up.
I advised Kalgoolie through BW and asked for instructions. No further
advice was received from Kalgoolie. I stressed the importance of
waiting until the Police arrived to Frank McLean.
Subsequently the Oodnadatta Police escorted him to Port Augusta.
He was handed over to Kalgoolie Police on Wednesday 3rd August.
CENTRAL RESERVE
I arrived back on the Reserve on Sunday 10th July.
ABORIGINES
Mt Davies
Tommy Dodd (half-caste) and Peter are acting as caretakers
here for the Mines Department. Peter's wife is included in this arrange-
ment. Mr Mirims intends leaving Peter in charge of a vehicle for carting
water during the absence of all white men during September.
Jack, three wives and many children camped west of bore.
Pompy and friend also camped west of bore. These men are from
Ernabella and are to prepare kangaroo ground for ceremony.
Frank McLean, wanted for unlawful killing, his father, his
father's two wives, and his sister, are all at the same camp.
Rawlinson Ranges
Twenty natives thirty miles east of Giles Met. Camp.
I collected 16 scalps and made an appointment to meet them in
September at Walter James Ranges. The young men of this
group asked for work at Giles. All expressed a desire to go to Areyonga
where they had heard there was an abundance of flour, tea and sugar.
Jackie (Taki), two wives, and four children - one a few weeks
old - were seen hunting adjacent to Mural Crescent. I transported this
family to Lake Christopher where there are some rabbits.
Angus Downs
Thirty natives were seen camped near tourist road with articles
for trade. They lined the road waving objects to attract attention.
Curtin Springs
Fifteen in camp close to homestead.
Ayers Rock
Two men, three women, and five children were seen. One woman
was working at the Tourist Camp. She claimed to be the elder sister to
Girl at Rawlinson Ranges. She expressed a desire to rescue her poor
relations still existing in the bush, and persuade them to go to Areyonga.
No other signs of natives seen in this area.
Mulga Park
A few natives were seen on new station by-pass road waving
articles for trade.
Ernabella
Most of these people have gone on to the Reserve on their annual
dingo pup hunt. Approximately twenty left on the Mission establishment.
Officer Creek
Large numbers were seen on this Creek. All were from Ernabella
on annual walkabout. Approximately 200.
Everard Park
Five natives were seen. I understand the new owner intends using
native stockmen.
Ammaroodinna Creek
One native seen with three well loaded camels. He was in
charge of swag transport for a number of natives on dingo hunt and
ceremonia intentions.
De Rose Hill
Thirty natives. Workers and relations.
Perinti Bore
Twelve natives. Workers and relations.
Wallatinna
Byron Lennon (white man) and his wife (lubra) are caretaking
here for Mr Davies of Granite Downs. The Bank requires a spoken pass
word as well as her printed name for Mrs Lennon to operate her account.
Indulkanna was decided on.
Coober Pedy Jimmy, his wife and daughter requested transport
to Coober Pedy. One old man remained.
Trading
Natives camped near Alice Springs - Ayres Rock tourist
road on Angus Downs, on approach of a vehicle, line each side of the
road waving such articles as shields, wooden dishes, and woomeras, with
the object of attracting the tourist attention.
A tourist, when questioned, stated that the things he had bought
were well made and were worth what the natives had asked for them, but that
he had secured some dozen articles for half what they had originally asked
for them. For instance -
(a) 10/- was asked for a shield, but 5/- accepted.
(b) 4/- was asked for a wooden dish, he paid 2/-.
This is exploitation of the fact that the native will sell such things
as his spears and woomera to relieve his present desire for white man
commodities, not fully realising that he must then spend long hours
making new ones before he can secure his natural meat.
This tendency to satisfy immediate desires at any cost in
time and work, seems to be increasing as the opportunity of trade increases.
From enquiries made, it would appear that the natives are asking
for what they actually get for similar articles at the Ernabella Mission
craft room.
It is almost impossible to police any regulations that may be
in force in regard to trading, therefore it is urgent that the native be
taught not to accept less than a fair price for his articles.
Nowina
Several years ago, after a fight at Giles, this man was sent
to Alice Springs Hospital by NPO Macaulay. After treatment he was
returned to his wife and family at Giles, with a stiff leg.
Some months ago Mr Macaulay sent his youngest child to Alice
Springs Hospital where it died of malnutrition.
On the request of the Hospital Authorities, Mr Macaulay trans-
ported Nowina, his wife, Malguia, and child Kam:i to Alice Springs, and
arranged for them to be returned to Rawlinson Range by air after a medical
check up.
Native Welfare Department, in discussion with Superintendent
Ernabella Mission, decided it would be easier to return this family by
train and truck via that Mission.
I received a telegram, through BW, that they had been sent to
Papunya.
On visiting the Native Welfare Department at Alice Springs. and
having finally established the identity of the family, I discovered that
they are now at Papunya, that Nowina is at present employed there, that they
have relations there, and that they are quite content to stay there.
Relatives, still in the Rawlinson Ranges, know this, or have guessed it,
and it has increased their desire for an easier living available at a Gov-
ernment feeding station, or Mission.
Hunting Fires and Tracks Reported
Frome Broken Hill employees reported, through Giles personnel,
that they had seen tracks of men, women and children, 100 miles north of
Mt Everard which is situated at Lon. 125 deg 15 min E and Lat 25 deg 45 min S.
Hunting fires were also seen in this area.
Mr Beadell spoke of smoke seen in the vicinity of the Bonython
Range at approximately Long 128 deg 55 min E and Lat 23 deg 50 min S.
Food and Water Supplies
Although the Reserve country is in very good condition, food
and water supplies are by no means at a peak.
Most of the small temporary water supplies have dried up which
necessitates a return to semi-permanent and permanent supplies.
Rabbits
A large percentage of rabbit warrens are inactive, and the
inhabited ones are not showing a large population.
Kangaroos
Because of the good rains the kangaroos have scattered throughout
the country and are not concentrated on especially good feed areas. This
increased the difficulty of the hunter.
Vegetable Foods
Most of the soft varieties of fruit have dried up and disappeared.
Adequate seed and root foods remain.
Tobacco
Pitjiri is super abundant in the northern part of the Reserve,
but scarcer than average in the south.
Eggs
Both small and large birds' eggs are plentiful, but there are
no reptile eggs.
Giles Met. Camp
The new Officer in Charge is strict in all things concerning
natives. A native is rarely seen in the vicinity.
Ceremonies
Keen interest in ceremonies is apparent this year. Prepara-
tions are in progress in three different areas, Mt Davies, Mt Lindsay,
and Officer Creek.
Statement by Frank McLean
'This man was chasing my sister Isabel. At the time
of the trouble I was working at the Mission all day.
After work had finished I came along, had tea and supper
and went to bed. Harry Simpson started growling at
we lot about my sister and I get up and I come along and
throw a spear to Harry and he throw a spear to me and
I came along and I want to try to
Then me and him have a go me and Harry and he come along
and spear me first and I turn around and spear him only
one that is all
He been all right that night.'
SUMMARY
6161 miles travelled.
Successful and informative trip by the Hon G Pearson
and his party.
Assistance given to WA Police - not very satisfactory
arrangement as once they have got what they want, all
communication from them ceases.
Natives at Rawlinson Ranges have adequate food supplies, but not a
great abundance. They are rarely seen at Giles. Men asking for
work at Giles.
As usual, Warburton Mission Natives are effectually using the
Reserve.
Ernabella Mission natives are moving on to the Reserve for
their usual dingo pup hunt and for ceremonial activity.
Man wanted for unlawful killing is more afraid of his own people
than the Police. Gave himself up at Mt Davies.
The tendency towards acceptance of almost anything for his weapons
and utensils is being exploited by tourists on the Alice Springs -
Ayres Rock road.
The new owner of Everard Park, Mr D Joselyn, apparently
intends using native stockmen. This means the return of
some Everard Range natives to that range.
Nowina and family sent from Giles to Alice Springs now
established at Papunya. Seems to be contented.
Signs of natives reported north-west and north-east of Giles.
W B MacDougall
Native Patrol Officer
10th August, 1960
R Macaulay
Native Patrol Officer
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