Report on survey of native affairs by FEA Bateman 1948

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1948
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
REPORT
ON
Survey of Native Affairs
BY
F. E. A. BATEMAN.
Presented to both Houses of Parliament by His Excellency's Command.
[SECOND SESSION OF THE NINETEENTH PARLIAMENT.]
PERTH :
BY AUTHORITY: W. H. WYATT, GOVERNMENT PRINTER.
1948.
No. 19.
APPROXIMATE COST OF PAPER :
Printing (400 Copies) £125.
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SURVEY OF NATrVE AFFAIRS.
BY F. E. A. BATEMAN.
The Hon. the Minister for Native Affairs, Western Australia,—
I have the honour to report that in. accordance The terms of reference submitted to me were as
with the instructions in your letter of the 21st July, follows:—
1947 to carry out a survey into native affairs A. Make a survey of existing native institutions
throughout the State, I commenced my inquiries on as defined in the Native Administration Act,
4th August, 1947. You will recall that after my re 1905-41.
turn from the Murchison district shortly before
B. Advise as to the present and future value of
Christmas, 1947, I was recalled to the Police Court
such institutions.
Bench in Perth, where I carried out Magisterial
duties until 1st April, 1948, when I resumed my in C. Advise whether any new institutions are desir
vestigations into native affairs. able and if so the nature thereof and the ob
jects to be served by them.
During the course of my inquiry I have seen at
first hand the conditions under which the aborigines D. Make such recommendations as may seem
live and are employed in almost every part of the proper to advance the education and welfare
of natives generally, including their employ
State. With two exceptions I inspected all native
ment and vocational opportunities.
institutions, including missions, throughout the
State. E. Make such recommendations as may seem
proper as to existing laws of this State relat
The first exception was the United Aborigines
ing to natives and any amendments thereto.
Mission situated in the Warburton Ranges some
hundreds of miles east of Laverton. In view of this F. Inquire into and report upon such other mat
mission's comparatively recent origin and its inac ters, if any, as the Government may later de
cessibility, I considered that the expense involved sire to refer to you for your consideration.
in making a visit to it would be out of proportion
to the value derived therefrom and consequently I In your accompanying letter of 21st July, 1947,
omitted it from my plans. the above terms of reference were subjected to
greater detail as follows:—
The second exception was the Tardun Mission
With regard to our native institutions including
near Mullewa which at the time of my visit to the
missions, the statistical position in each case show
Murchison district had not commenced its activities.
ing the natives at the institutions, the natives not
The arrangements for my road transport in the in the institutions but in contact with them, staffs
North, North-West and Murchison districts, were and their number and duties, area of land, produc
in the hands of Inspectors Jensen, Rhatigan and tivity, situation, present value of the institution,
Martin respectively, of the Native Affairs Depart prospects of future utility, approximate cost of
ment and I wish to record my appreciation of the establishment and approximate cost of further in
services and kindness received from these officers. stallations for effective working.
I also desire to thank all station owners, man In relation to the pastoral industry, wages and
agers, farmers, police officers, missionaries, pro nature of rations and other provisions for natives
tectors and all persons with whom I came in con in the several districts, living accommodation and
tact, for the kindness and hospitality extended to amenities, and occupations in which natives are
me in conducting this survey. employed.
Health and disease of natives, particularly in
To Mr. H. A. Jones of the Native Affairs De
cidence of leprosy and whether stationary or in
partment, who acted in a secretarial capacity, I owe
creasing.
a debt of gratitude, his knowledge of the Depart
ment's activities being of untold value to me. The system of protectors and whether police
should be retained as protectors.
As the motor vessel "Koolinda," upon which
vessel I sailed for the North, proceeded direct to Provision for education of native children.
Darwin after leaving Derby, I was able to take the Distribution of tribal natives and their number.
opportunity of visiting the Bagot Half-caste Camp,
Number and distribution of other than tribal
the Berrima Compound and the new De Lissaville
natives.
Settlement at Darwin. These visits were made pos
sible by the courtesy of the Director and Staff of the Number and distribution of natives in categories
Native Affairs Department, Northern Territory, to of the full blood, half-caste and less than half-
whom my thanks are due. caste.
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The position of natives in towns. and inconveniences and the task of the mission work
Crafts and vocations for which natives are best ers, an arduous one in the best of conditions, is made
suited or into which they might be encouraged to all the more intolerable. So much more can be
enter. achieved with good lighting and wherever possible
it should be installed even to the extent of foregoing
Particular inquiry into the prospects of the em
other requirements.
ployment of natives in fishing and pearling indus
tries and any methods of training natives for such
It is perfectly obvious that the standard of effi
pursuits and in what localities they could best find
ciency of any establishment depends largely on the
employment in such pursuits.
staff. Government institutions are constantly ex
The administrative system of the Department and periencing great difficulty in obtaining and retaining
any directions in which its effectiveness might be staff and after inspecting these institutions I have
improved. no doubt that the unsatisfactory conditions on the
settlements contribute in no small degree to this
Any legislative amendments that might assist ad
state of affairs.
ministration and native welfare.
I feel that it is unnecessary to add anything fur The installation of electric light, while being an
ther by way of introduction and will now proceed to enormous step forward in the progress of the institu
deal with the matters referred to me in the order tion would at the same time provide a much needed
submitted. convenience for the staff facilitating the performance
of their duties and alleviating discontent.
A.—EXISTING NATIVE INSTITUTIONS AS Missions are conducted by religious organisations
DEFINED IN THE NATIVE throughout the State but mainly in the isolated and
marginal regions. Usually they are situated in Gov
ADMINISTRATION ACT.
ernment reserves in isolated areas or on the fringes
In dealing with this subject I have endeavoured to of settled areas. In the former case they serve the
refer to the various institutions with as much brevity purpose of preparing the aborigines for the usually
as the circumstances permit. It has not been pos inevitable contact with white civilisation while in
sible in every case to ascertain the exact duties of the latter they act as buffers between the black and
each individual member of the staff as in some in white civilisations.
stitutions, mission workers are not limited to any
I will proceed first of all to discuss the various
set duties but assist generally in the working of the
missions which I inspected during the survey. •
mission.
Where possible I have given the approximate an Forrest River Mission.
nual cost of the establishment but this figure cannot
Mission Body—Australian Board of Missions-
be regarded as accurate as in some cases the Super
Church of England—Area of Reserve—99,000 acres.
intendents of the missions concerned were not able
to supply accurate figures. This mission, as its name implies, is situated on
I also regret that I have not been able to supply the Forrest River which flows into the Cambridge
any approximate cost of future installations for ef Gulf about 10 miles north of Wyndham. The only
fective working in the case of the various institu accessible route to that town is a long journey by
tions. Costs vary from day to day and of course water a total distance of something like 30 miles.
differ according to locality and my attempts to ar
One of the greatest handicaps with which the
rive at approximate estimates only convinced me that
staff of the mission has had to contend during recent
any amounts specified by me would be more in the
years was the lack of a seaworthy launch. I am
nature of guesswork and accordingly of little value.
glad to hear that since my visit a new launch at last
I respectfully suggest in regard to this aspect that
has been acquired after so many set-backs in the
if necessary, accurate estimates could be obtained at past.
a later date.
At the time of my visit there were 150 natives at
With regard to population figures at the various
the institution including 85 children. In addition
missions, 1 have used in the main those figures sup
there were another 63 bush natives in contact with
plied to me at the time of my inspection. These
the mission. The staff consists of a Superinten-
figures, in many cases, vary considerably from the
ent, who is also the Chaplain, an Assistant Super
figures shown on the mission returns lodged with the
intendent, a Matron, two School Teachers, both un
Department last June, and even allowing for fluctua
qualified, and a Launchman.
tions in the native population it appears to me that
greater accuracy in rendering these returns is called The productivity of the mission is confined to
for on the part of many missions. It is quite possible cattle raising and a small amount of agriculture.
too that the staff position at the various institutions About 800 cattle are being run on the property and
has altered since niy figures were collected, but this la/2 acres are under cultivation in the form of a
is only to be expected and my information on the vegetable garden, the usual varieties being grown in
matter can only be treated as approximate. season.
In commenting on future installations for effective A number of the inmates have married and have
working, I am of the opinion that in all the larger been provided with huts for the use of themselves
institutions electric light is badly needed. Those and their families. These natives are employed
which are endeavouring to make do with kerosene about the mission, being supplied with their food
lamps and the like are faced with many difficulties and lodging in return.
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Children on the mission are being taught ordinary Drysdale River Mission.
school work to about the fourth standard. The boys
cain a certain amount of practical experience in Mission Body—Benedictine Community of W.A.
stock work, gardening and also in the handling of Area of Reserve—150,000 acres.
the launch, while the girls are given tuition in weav
Drysdale River Mission is perhaps the most
ing and general needlework.
isolated and inaccessible of all missions, being situ
A number of the inmates later find employment on ated in the extreme north of the State just south
the cattle stations south of Wyndham. of Cape Londonderry and nearly 200 miles from the
nearest town, Wyndham. This mission, like For
The annual cost of Forrest River Mission is in
rest River Mission, is in contact with some of the
the vicinity of £4,000. This mission, due to its iso
most primitive of our natives. The annual cost of
lation, is confronted with many difficulties and heavy
the institution is approximately £2,600.
expenditure. Transport costs of course are tremend
ous and the lack of an adequate water supply to The staff includes a Superintendent, three
gether with the nature of the country mitigates Fathers, one Brother and three Sisters. There are
against its ever being self supporting. about 150 natives at this mission and about another
100 are in contact with it. These numbers, however,
The provision of a water supply would undoubt
fluctuate considerably. Twenty children are ac
edly improve the prospect of this mission and allow
commodated in the dormitories while a number of
full development of the soil. The cost involved
working natives and their wives are housed in small
however would be enormous, at the very least £8,000,
huts erected by the mission. Many bush natives
and possibly in the vicinity of £20.000, and in my
camp on the fringes of the mission proper.
opinion would not be justified.
There are indications that the number of natives The children receive the ordinary school training
in this area is on the decline. The Departmental by the Sisters, the girls in addition being tutored
records show that in 1932 there were 260 attached in sewing and domestic work, but no specific voca
to the mission, in 1937 the number was 250 and last tional training is provided for the boys.
year there was a further decrease to 188. However,
A variety of tropical fruits and vegetables are
apart from these figures it cannot be ignored that
grown while small numbers of cattle, pigs, goats
the full-blood natives of the north are rapidly de
and fowls are reared. The produce is all for home
creasing and sooner or later this factor will affect
consumption and no trading is indulged in now.
the future plans of this mission.
The children are well fed and in addition indigents
Many of the buildings leave much to be desired, from the bush are provided with rations. Working
several having dirt floors. I do not feel that it is natives are also fed but only if they work, laziness
necessary for me to submit a detailed report on the not being encouraged.
buildings. It is sufficient I think to say that many
There are no adjacent station properties in this
of them require attention. In particular the dor
area and consequently there is no form of employ
mitories are not provided with flooring and the
ment for these natives other than that existing at
children sleep on the ground in much the same man
the mission.
ner as their parents before them did in their bush
surroundings. It seems that if the uplifting of the The natives are full bloods observing their tribal
Australian aborigine is to be accomplished, one of customs and laws and are spiritually tied to this
the first matters requiring adjustment is his stand section of the country. As they will not leave
ard of living. This involves getting him off the this area and as there is no employment here for
ground and accustomed to using beds. them it is difficult to see what practical good can
be accomplished at the mission.
So far as the adult native is concerned, little
success is likely to be achieved in this direction Efforts to christianise them are not likely to
but there is no reason why the children should not prove very successful although naturally I am not
respond to this training. It is imperative both opposed to those efforts. The Drysdale natives are
from this view-point and also from a health aspect, an entirely different type from the Cowal Creek
that the children should be taught as early as pos natives in Cape York Peninsula where the natives
sible to use beds and all missions and institutions maintain a village and carry on agricultural pur
should make this a matter of paramount import suits. The Drysdale type conform to the standard
ance. pattern as far as Western Australia is concerned.
Forrest River, like most of the other missions, is They are not agriculturists and every effort to
hindered in its progress by two other impediments, change them from food hunters to food producers
malnutrition and a lack of any fixed policy pre has failed.
scribed by the Government. I will have more to
say on these matters at a later stage of this report In view of the primitive type of native in contact
but if both these factors can be remedied then there with this mission and the fact that rarely do they
is no reason why the mission should not play its come in contact with white civilisation, it does not
part in the future development of the aborigine. appear that any attempt to educate them to our
standards would produce any tangible results.
At the moment I consider the matters requiring
most urgent attention at Forrest River to be as The mission acts as a buffer, teaches Christianity
follows—installation of lighting plant, provision of and looks after the material welfare and health of
flooring, beds and bedding in the dormitories, reno the natives in this area. To attempt anything
vations and additions to certain of the buildings, further, in my view, would be merely a waste of time
construction of two further earth dams to augment and effort. There is nothing urgently required in
the present water supply. the way of future installations.
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Kunmunya Mission. exceptionally good and the inmates appear to be in
good health. It is evident that the physical welfare
Mission Body—Australian Presbyterian Board of
of the natives is well catered for at this establish
Missions, Sydney.
ment.
Area of Reserve—245,000 acres.
Carpentry and blacksmithing are taught to some
This Mission formerly known as Port George IV, of the boys who show aptitude while some gain
is another isolated institution of the north, being experience in the mechanical field on the mission
situated on the coast to the west of the Prince Regent vehicles. Domestic training is provided for the girls.
area. Most of the boys furthermore, gain some practical
knowledge of stock-work, gardening, windmills etc.
The staff consists of a Superintendent and his wife
and many are absorbed into employment at Broome
who is also the Schoolteacher and an Assistant
or Derby or on the cattle and sheep stations in the
Superintendent. The annual cost of the establish
district. Some also prove to be excellent motor
ment is approximately £1,800. There were approxi
mechanics and are employed in garages at Broome
mately 70 natives, all full bloods, in contact with the
and Derby.
mission, including only 10 children, at the time of
my inspection.
During the war a number of natives, about 30 or
About 300 head of cattle, 100 donkeys and 60 40, mostly full bloods, were evacuated to the mission
goats are run on the property and agricultural pur from the Broome area. These natives are housed
suits include the cultivation of peanuts in a small adjacent to the mission in small huts and are
way and vegetables. rationed by the Civil Defence Council. Most of these
natives are elderly and incapable of employment.
The isolated regions of this mission places it in a
There appear to be some however who are capable of
similar category to the Drysdale River Mission
work but are either disinclined to return to their
although perhaps to a lesser extent. Some of the
former habitat or are being kept at the mission at
natives are found employment at the mission in return
the request of the Department. Those capable of
for food and clothing supplied but there is practic
employment should be removed to Udialla and made
ally no avenue of employment open generally to the
to work for their subsistence.
Kunmunya natives. This mission serves the same
purposes as Drysdale, acting as a buffer, preparing The installation of electric light, construction of a
the natives for eventual contact with civilisation and community hall and the extension of the present
in the meantime teaching the christian doctrine and water scheme to provide showers for the boys are
acting for their welfare generally. the most urgent requirements of this mission.
The erection of small dormitories for the children
and a suitable hospital building appear to me to be Lombadina Mission.
the most urgent requirements of this mission.
Mission Body—Pious Society of Missions, Broome.
It may be added that Kunmunya relies for its
supplies and communications on lugger transport Area—37,865 acres.
from Derby. This is far from satisfactory and a Lombadina Mission is really a branch of Beagle
regular air service is badly required. Bay, lying some 50 miles north of it.
The staff includes a Superintendent and 3 Sisters,
Beagle Bay Mission.
one of whom is a trained schoolteacher. One Sister
Mission Body—Pious Society of Missions, Broome. carries out the duties of Matron and the other house-
duties.
Area of Reserve—700,000 acres.
There are 103 natives including 28 children, living
This mission is situated about 80 miles north of
at the mission and the annual cost is about £1,200,
Broome. The staff comprises of a Superintendent, a
but again no salaries or wages are involved.
Father in charge of the boys, 8 Brothers whose
duties cover transport, gardening, stock-work, About 300 head of cattle together with goats and
butchering, carpentry and blacksmithing instruc donkeys are run on the property while 15 acres of
tion, a Mother Superior and 5 Sisters whose duties tropical fruits and vegetables are under cultivation.
consist of schooling, housekeeping and nursing.
The natives are mainly employed on stock-work
There are about 170 natives on the mission includ and in the garden and no specialised vocational
ing 100 children. About 50% of the inmates are full training is supplied.
bloods and the remainder mixed. This mission is not as well equipped as Beagle Bay
The annual expenditure on Beagle Bay is in the and some further buildings are necessary, notably
vicinity of £2,800 but it must be remembered that no a boys' dormitory and community hall. Again a
salaries or wages are involved. small electric light plant would effect a big improve
ment.
About 1,000 head of cattle in addition to goats
and pigs, donkeys and fowls are raised. An excellent
Pallotine Mission.
garden is also under cultivation providing a plentiful
supply in season of tropical fruits and vegetables.
Mission Body—Pious Society of Missions, Broome.
I found this mission to be well equipped in every
Area of reserve—1,000,000 acres.
way with pleasing buildings set in refereshing sur
roundings, the feature being well grassed lawns. The Pallotine Mission lies about 200 miles south
The dormitories presented a clean and tidy appear of Hall's Creek on the northern edge of the desert
ance with beds provided for all the children. Due and caters for the primitive type of native who has
to the excellent productivity and staff the diet is had little or no contact with white civilisation.
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7
The institution is only in its infancy. Practically As the native camps are better constructed and
the only buildings so far erected being the Mission cleaner than the usual type, I believe that these
ary's quarters, storerooms etc. The staff consists of people would respond to better living conditions.
a Superintendent and two Brothers. There are no It is therefore desirable that huts be erected for these
natives accommodated yet but there are about 70 people at an early opportunity. I do not consider
within the mission influence. however that any new installations are desirable im
mediately as the possible advantages of changing
No cultivation has been attempted to date as the
the site of this mission should be given further con
water problem has not yet been satisfactorily solved.
sideration by the Department.
There are, however, approximately 900 sheep and a.
number of horses and donkeys and goats on the
property. It is not possible at present to give an
Jigalong Mission.
estimate of the likely annual cost of this mission nor
would it be wise to attempt to recommend further Mission Body—Aborigines Rescue Mission, Mel
installations until the activities of this mission have bourne.
continued for a further period.
Area of Reserve—16,000 acres.
Jigalong Mission is situated almost 300 miles south
Sunday Island Mission.
east of Port Hedland on the western edge of the
desert, and the mission staff comprises a superintend
Mission Body—United Aborigines Mission of W.A.
ent, a matron, a schoolteacher and two mission
Area of Reserve—Island 31/2 miles by 31/2 miles. workers.
This mission is situated on an island at the en The mission has only recently commenced activities
trance of King's Sound not far from Cape Leveque. and the buildings have not yet been completed, but
The staff includes a superintendent, an assistant considering its recent formation the staff are to be
superintendent, two schoolteachers and a mission complimented on the work already done.
worker who instructs the girls in needlework. There
There are about 180 natives including 50 child
are about 170 natives at the mission including 42
ren in contact with the mission and all are full blood
children. I was unable to ascertain the annual cost
desert natives. The children are already being
of this mission.
tutored in ordinary school work but still reside with
The island is extremely rugged and cultivation, their parents in the camp about three miles away.
except for about one acre which is under vegetables, When the buildings are completed they will be
is impossible. There are about 50 goats running housed in dormitories and the process of gradually
on the island. weaning them from the aboriginal way of life will
be carried a stage further. In the meantime the
The mission possesses a powered landing barge children are well cared for in the way of diet and
and a lugger and the main source of employment medical attention at the mission.
for the natives, and incidentally the main source of
income, is derived from the gathering of trochus, This mission, I believe, will serve a good purpose
tortoise and pearl shell. The natives are paid 3d. as these desert children will no doubt become the
lb. for trochus shell, 9d. lb. for pearl shell and 6s. station employees of tomorrow and the mission can
lb. for tortoise shell, by the mission, while a few do much to mould their character and to fit them
casuals are paid 10s. weekly. None of the natives for their future life.
have bank accounts and they mainly collect their
earnings in the form of stores at the mission store. I was informed that the capital cost has already
exceeded £7,000 and that the estimated annual cost
Schooling of the children has been rather broken of this mission is £1,200. Again it is difficult to
owing to the lack of staff and the present school comment, in this case, on the necessity for future
teacher as a matter of fact is untrained. Dormitories installations until the present programme of build
are badly needed and were in course of construction ing has been decided upon and completed.
at the time of my visit. The natives live in native
hutments erected by themselves on the island. No
Carnarvon Mission.
vocational training is provided. A certain discontent
exists among these natives, who complain that they
Mission Body—Federal Aborigines Mission Board
receive little from the mission in return for their
W.A.
work. Another cause of complaint is the fact that
no tobacco is allowed on the island by the super Area—70 acres.
intendent which means that the natives are debarred This mission commenced operations about 18
from tobacco except when they pay occasional visits months ago and in this limited period has made
to Derby on the barge or lugger. rapid progress in the building line. There were 31
children at the mission and the staff consists of a
Sunday Island is a barren piece of rock which
superintendent and three assistants, and the annual
offers no scope for cultivation of any type. Its only
cost is estimated to be £1,200.
advantage is that it is isolated but that very isolation
has in itself many objectionable features. Any offi At the time of my inspection the children were
cial visit must depend entirely on the goodwill of being schooled at the State School, Carnarvon which
the mission as there is no means of transport to it already was overcrowded. Since my visit a native
other than by the mission boat. A better site for school has been erected adjacent to the mission and
this mission would appear to be on the mainland the children are being educated here by a qualified
opposite the island in the vicinity of Molumba Bay- teacher of the Education Department,
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The mission authorities were obliged to purchase The hospital is of a higher standard than I saw
their own land for this venture, the price being on any other institution and the mission authorities
£500. In my view the site is too close to Carnarvon, are to be commended on it.
being approximately 10 miles from the town, but
There is no crop under cultivation as the water
with the developmental work having progressed to
supply is inadequate but income is derived from the
its present stage it would be difficult to change it
sale of arts and crafts work and from the sale of
now.
goatskins. Formerly there was some alluvial gold
It is the ultimate intention to train the children prospecting but at the time when I was at Mt. Mar
in motor-mechanics, woodwork and domestic science. garet this activity appeared to have ceased.
Whether the land can be cultivated successfully is
In the way of future installations, workshops for
doubtful as the water located on the property so
vocational training are required and the installations
far has proved to be salty.
of a water supply and electric light would be advan
I believe it is too early as yet to comment further tageous.
on this mission but the superintendent and staff
appear to be well equipped to carry out their policy Norseman Mission.
and good results are likely to be achieved. The Mission Body—Federal Aborigines Mission
Board, W.A. Area of Reserve—Approximately 20
Mt. Margaret Mission. acres.
This mission is situated about 10 miles from
Mission Bodv—United Aborigines Mission of
Norseman and caters for children only. There were
W.A.
27 accommodated at the mission, many of whose
Area of Reserve—210 acres. parents reside on the native reserve in Norseman.
The staff includes a Superintendent and two
This mission is probably the best developed mis
assistants, one being a school teacher. The annual
sion in the State and appears to be achieving en
cost of maintaining this institution is approximately
couraging results. The staff consists of a super
£1,400.
intendent, a matron, two school teachers and eight
mission workers. There were about 150 natives at A small vegetable garden is under cultivation but
the institution when I visited it, including about 60 it was evident that this mission was operating on a
children. The population included both full blood small scale and suffering from lack of staff and fin
and caste natives and the approximate annual cost ance. There is little to be said about this establish
of the institution is about £2,000. ment except that more institutional buildings are
necessary.
The natives appear healthy and well nourished
and quite happy. The children are housed in ade
Kellerberrin Mission.
quate dormitories and the general appearance of
the mission is pleasing, everything being orderly Mission Body—United Aborigines Mission of
and tidy. W.A. Area of Reserve—15 to 20 acres.
The girls are taught raffia and poker-work, spin This mission, situated adjacent to the native re
ning and weaving, dressmaking and general domes serve, merely consists of a mission home. A small
tic duties. The boys receive a little tuition in car school is erected next door and the schooling of the
pentry, motor mechanics and painting. In addi children who live with their parents on the reserve
tion the ordinary schooling is provided, the children is provided by the Education Department. The
being given concentrated teaching in the value of mission intends to build dormitories when possible
money and its purchasing power. for the purpose of housing the children but as it is
Many of the inmates have married and have only in its infancy there is little to report on this
been encouraged to purchase material and erect mission at the present time. The equipment at the
their own homes on the mission property, a small school is inadequate but this appears to be a matter
prize being awarded weekly for the best kept home. for the Education Department.
The scheme apparently has produced results because
at the time of my inspection they all presented a Badjaling Mission.
clean and tidy appearance.
Mission Body—United Aborigines Mission of
The married men secure employment on the sta W.A. Area of Reserve—1,066 acres.
tions in the district, leaving their families in the
The Badjaling Mission is situated at Quairading
home on the mission, returning to them at the com
adjacent to the native reserve and operates on a
pletion of the employment. Many of the married
small scale only. It comprises a school, a clinic, a
women and single girls are employed by the mission
small maternity room and the missionary's quarters.
on raffia and needlework, being paid piece rates for
The staff consisted of a Superintendent only at the
their services.
time of my visit and no schooling had been provided
A well equipped store at the mission provides the for the previous two or three months.
natives with practical experience in the spending of
their money. Very few natives are left in the district, most of
them having evacuated to Tammin, Kellerberrin and
Music is encouraged, many of the children play Bruce Rock. Those who have remained occupy huts
ing such instruments as violins, banjos, trumpets,
dotted around the reserve. They earn good money
drums etc. and the singing and orchestral work of
around the district but seem disinclined to improve
the children is very creditable
their lot.
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There appears to me to be no justification for The richness of the soil allows of intense culti
future installations on the mission. Although the vation and a particularly fine grapefruit orchard is
superintendent maintained that there were 30 operated on a commercial basis, resulting in a sub
children attending school when it was functioning, stantial return from the sale of the fruit. In ad
it was apparent that many of these had moved dition, other fruit and vegetables are grown in
on with their parents to other districts. abundance and a dairy herd and pigs and fowls are
run on the property. The mission boasts an up-to-
Gnowangerup Mission. date milking machine and an electric light plant
Mission Body—United Aborigines Mission of which according to the Mission Council has proved
W.A. well worth the expense involved in its purchase.
This productivity results in the children receiving
Area of Reserve—29 acres.
the best of food and I would say that no other insti
The Gnowangerup Mission, situated at Gnowan tution approaches the standard of diet provided at
gerup on the native reserve, caters mainly for mixed this mission.
bloods. The staff consists of a superintendent, two
The children are not in touch with any adult
teachers and a sewing mistress. There are norm
natives, many of them being orphans and there is
ally 150 to 280 at the mission, with perhaps a fur
consequently not the attraction in the way of
ther 100 to be found temporarily at the institution.
parents and relatives to draw them back to the
The children attending school number 60. Build
native camps when they leave the mission.
ings consist of two mission houses, storeroom and
school and several sheds and 25* small wooden huts The mission has not been long in existence, the
occupied by native families. This mission is a property formerly having been developed under the
faith mission and I was unable to ascertain the Chandler Boys' Scheme and it is only within the
annual cost of the establishment. last 12 months that trainees have been placed in
employment. It is thus too early to ascertain how
No cultivation is attempted at the mission. The
these children will respond to this training but from
huts are of a poor type, the majority being without
the favourable reports so far received from the em
flooring of any description. Apart from the ordin
ployers of those already in employment there is
ary schooling the only vocational training provided
bright hope for the future. It will be very interest
is needlework for the girls. The children reside in
ing therefore to watch developments of this mission
the huts with their parents who obtain casual em
during the next few years.
ployment on the farms in the district and in the
town of Gnowangerup. I noted, however, a few near white children at
the mission and in my view it is regrettable that
If one excepts the christianising aspect, the only
they are not accommodated at Sister Kate's Home,
good purpose that this mission appears to serve is
where their future would be more assured.
that it houses the native a little better than he
would be normally and provides elementary educa I would like to see a community hall and better
tion for the children. I favour the abolition of sporting facilities provided at this mission in the
this mission and the substitution of something better way of future installations.
in its place.
New Norcia.
Boelands Mission.
Mission Body—Benedictine Community of W.A.
Mission Body—Native Missions Council Inc., Mt. Area of Reserve—29 acres.
Lawley. The mission consists of an institution housing1 41
Area of Reserve—1,500 acres. male and 41 female children, including 14 full bloods.
The staff includes a superintendent, six fathers, two
This mission is situated at Seven Hills, Roelands,
brothers and eight sisters. The annual cost of the
in the south-west, in rich country with a permanent
water supply and is ideally located for its purpose. mission is approximately £4,500. The buildings and
The staff consists of the superintendent, matron, appointments are excellent, in particular the dormi
nurse and two teachers, cook, farmworker and four tories, which compare with those of oar public schools.
assistants. The mission caters for children only, The bedding is spotlessly clean and the flooring
there being 55 children accommodated when I made highly polished and one could not but help contrasting
my visit. The annual cost of this institution is the bedding here with that seen in many other in
approximately £2,400. stitutions where the pillows and mattresses were
stained and discoloured with dirt and grease. The
The children are housed on the cottage system,
children are well fed, well housed and educated.
a mission worker being in control of each cottage.
The boys obtain practical training in dairying, Ordinary schooling is imparted to both sexes and
poultry farming, orchard work and gardening,1 in addition the girls receive some domestic training1,
while the girls receive excellent tuition in domestic particularly in the laundry, while the boys gain a
science including cooking. In addition ordinary certain amount of experience in sheep and farming
schooling is provided for both sexes. activities. There is, however, room for improvement,
as on all other institutions, in vocational training
An interesting feature is the employment of a
facilities.
native girl on the teaching staff, named Gladys
Vincent, who is a fully accredited missionary. She After receiving their education and training at the
is 21 years of age and has already proved an out mission, the children leave and usually obtain em
standing success as a teacher and is very popular ployment in the rural districts. Those with parents
with the children. A small group photograph of return to them wherever they may be and in most
Gladys and some of the children is attached hereto cases the education and training is immediately
as a matter of interest. undone.
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10
Other than the provision of improved vocational certain extent this is true but the complaint that
training there does not appear to be anything ur mission trained natives are not satisfactory was not
gently necessary in the way of future installations. as general as I anticipated, in fact there were several
employers who expressed complete satisfaction with
Wandering Brook Mission. such employees. It seems unwise therefore to con
demn all natives so trained and denounce all mis
Mission Body—Catholic Church in Archdiocese of
sions accordingly. Nevertheless it seems to me that
Perth.
there is room for further improvement in all the
Area of Reserve—9,670 acres. missions.
This mission has not yet completed its 'building There is certainly a tendency on the part of some
programme and consequently has not commenced missions to encourage idleness. This is probably due
operations. Nevertheless I feel that I should include to the fact that they are unable to absorb all the
particulars concerning it as I believe that when natives in regular employment on the mission. This
completed it will be the finest mission in the State. is to the liking of the native who characteristically
will accept all the benefits possible at the same time
First of all, for practically the first time a mission
giving little in return. The missions should only
is being established to a proper plan and with a
retain those adult natives whom they can employ, the
long-term policy in view. Money is not being stinted
remainder after completing their education and train
and the building plan provides for good, substantial
ing should be compelled to earn their own living
and adequate institutional buildings with playing
instead of idling on the mission. This policy how
fields and sporting facilities.
ever could not be effected in all missions, notably at
The mission will cater for half-caste children only Drysdale or Kunmunya, but there is no reason why
and the education and training will be designed to it should not be carried out on most missions.
fit them for useful citizenship. Infants will be ad The causes mitigating against the missions achiev
mitted to a foundling section where they will be under ing successful results in my view are twofold. Firstly
the care of the Sisters of St. John of God. A there is an absence of policy and secondly a shortage
kindergarten will be established for their training of money. It appears to me that if missions are
until they reach school age when both sexes will re to play their full part in the uplifting of the native
ceive ordinary schooling under the sisters until they race then the first essential is for the Government to
attain the age of 9 or 10 years. At this stage the lay down a positive policy to which they must adhere.
boys will be transferred to the care of the priests The day of evangelising the natives unaccompanied
and brothers of the Pious Society of Missions and by other activities to uplift them has gone. Some
the girls to a junior section in the Nuns' Orphanage. thing more than religious training, accompanied by
Both sexes will continue their schooling but in each elementary teaching of the 3 R's, is necessary. The
case the institution will be divided into junior and need for the teaching of hygiene and the imparting
senior sections. This is very important in my view of technical knowledge and training in handcrafts
and the same principles should be adopted in all must be concurrent with evangelism. Education is
missions and institutions. of paramount importance but it must be practical in
nature and designed to raise the living standards of
When the girls have completed education to about the aborigines and to fit them for future citizenship.
the sub-junior standard they will be taught domestic This envisages adequate training of mission workers
science and will assist the sisters in the laundry, dairy, and the co-ordination of all missions within a definite
orchard and in the poultry farm and also in pre policy.
serving and pickling, etc.
Mission workers should be carefully chosen and the
The boys will be similarly educated, but if any Superintendent if possible should have anthropologi
thing, to a higher academic standard. Having reached cal training. Teachers including educational, tech
a suitable age they will assist in and study all types nical and agricultural, nurses, etc., should be special-
of farming, stock-raising, quarrying, timber-milling, ists and not as at present obtains in some instances,
blacksmithing, metalworking, etc., each following his persons of poor capacity who have heard the call
own particular bent. and find something agreeable to them in mission
activity.
Having completed their training the mission hopes
that many will marry and take their place in the
The statement that a mission having commenced
white community as useful citizens, but should they activities assumes all responsibilities for the teaching
desire to remain on the mission, suitable dwellings and training of the inmates is not convincing. It is
will be provided for them. unquestionably a national responsibility and it is
only just that missions, providing they comply with
Besides the usual ovals for sport, a combined play
the policy laid down by the Government should
house and picture theatre is planned and also a
receive Government assistance. It must be realised
general store and post office.
naturally, that the change-over cannot take place
I believe this mission will be operated on ideal overnight but once the missions are aware of what
principles and it is certain that it will play a major is expected of them there should be a steady effort to
part in the uplifting of the half-caste population attain the required standards.
of the south.
It can hardly be expected, however, that mission
bodies would be prepared to incur the extra expendi
The Future of Missions.
ture that training on the suggested lines will involve
There are many who denounce the missions claim unless they have some guarantee of more financial
ing that mission trained natives are spoiled and assistance from the Government than is the case at
cheeky and generally unsatisfactory workers. To a present. In the more settled areas no mission should
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11
be permitted to commence or continue operations 3. Furnish to the Commissioner for approval
unless it abides by the Government policy. In the block plans of the mission and plans of
more isolated missions however this policy necessar all buildings thereon.
ily would require to be relaxed to a certain degree.
4. Submit to the Commissioner for approval
It is important I believe, that greater attention plans and specifications of all proposed
should be given to recreational activities. Generally new buildings.
speaking there is no organised activity to fill in the
5. Furnish to the Commissioner annual fin
hours of leisure in the various missions and insti
ancial statements relating to the mission.
tutions.
At nightfall the boys and girls are usually herded 6. Comply with the instructions of the Com
into their separate dormitories and expected to go to missioner in respect to education, diet,
bed and sleep. With very young children there could housing and medical treatment of in
be no objection to such a practice, but it is unreason mates.
able to expect the older children to retire so early. 7. Comply with all other matters necessary for
Older girls at an institution upon the occasion of the purpose of implementing the said
a visit of an Inspector once protested against this policy.
practice by singing the "The Prisoner's Song" over
I will now discuss the various institutions under
and over again for hours. One could hardly blame
Government control.
them for their attitude and it is only natural that in
these circumstances the boys and girls will get up
to some mischief. It is this system of locking them Moola Bulla Native Station.
in dormitories without lights almost as soon as day Manager: Mr. A. George.
has gone which I believe is the cause of so much van
Area of Reserve—1,118,473 acres.
dalism in the dormitories.
There should be community halls on all the mis This settlement is ideally placed for the training
sions and institutions, providing sporting and recre and development of the Northern natives, being
ational facilities for the children in the leisure hours. situated in the heart of the Kimberleys in good
Magazines, books and comics, etc., should be made cattle country. The staff includes a manager, book
available to them and would encourage them to read keeper, head stockman, mechanic, cook, stock camp
more. Tennis courts, cricket pitches and playing cook, general hand and five native general hands.
fields should exist on all institutions. It is just as There were about 200 natives on the institution in
important to look after this side of the native child's cluding about 50 half-castes. The children numbered
education as it is to teach him to read and write. approximately 50 and it is a regrettable fact that
no schooling has been provided on the settlement
The saying that the devil finds work for idle hands
since about 1943. It was explained to me that since
is particularly true when applied to the native.
that time the Department has not been able to
Some missions attempt to exercise control over
secure teaching staff. According to figures supplied
the movements and employment of natives on com
to me by the Department, the cost of maintaining
pletion of their mission training. This practice
this institution during the year 1946-47 was £8,606,
should cease. When the native passes out of the
the revenue derived during the same period mainly
mission there should be no attempt on the part of
from sale of cattle was £8,467, so that the institu
the mission to interfere with the employment of the
tion was practically self-supporting for that year
native. If there is ground for the belief that the
at least.
native is being exploited or is not receiving fair treat
ment, then the mission should refer the matter to There' are about 25,000 cattle on the property in
an Inspector or Protector whose duty it is to safe addition to 400 horses and a number of mules, don
guard the natives' interests. Missions which lay keys and goats and fowls.
down conditions of employment for their trainees
To refer to Moola Bulla as a native institution
and attempt to exercise dominion over their move
in its present run-down state would be palpably
ments are assuming a responsibility which rightly
absurd. Beyond the fact that dormitories are pro
belongs to the Department and any action in this
vided for a number of children, there is nothing to
respect only tends to create friction between em
distinguish this station from any other station in
ployer and natives. It is not intended to convey
the North.
by these words that a Children's Mission such as the
Roelands Native Farm should be discouraged in The main objective in the establishment of Moola
attempting to place their trainees in the best homes Bulla in the first instance was to reduce cattle kill
possible. ing by the natives but it may be assumed that an
other objective was the advancement and develop
With the object of implementing the suggestions
ment of the Kimberley natives and there was every
above made, I recommend that the Government lay
reason to anticipate beneficial results in this direc
down a policy for missions on the lines referred to
tion. Unfortunately however it has not been de
above, that increased subsidies be granted to missions
veloped in the manner designed and in recent years
conforming with the Government policy and that all
it has suffered a regrettable decline. The failure
missions be compelled—
of Moola Bulla to progress according to plan un
1. To lodge with the Commissioner a detailed doubtedly is due chiefly to the war and its after
statement of policy with annual reports math but there appears to have been a certain
on progress. amount of lassitude on the part of the Department
2. Advise the Commissioner of all changes of also. At the time of the present manager's appoint
staff, disclosing qualifications of new ment in 1941 he reported to the Department on the
unsatisfactory state of affairs then existing. As
appointees.
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