THE
TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL REPORT
OF
ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION.
(INCORPORATED.)
READ AT THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN THE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HALL ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 27th, 1880.
HIS EXCELLENCY, SIR WILLIAM F. D. JERVOIS, G.C.M.G., C.B.,
IN THE CHAIR.
ADELAIDE:
SCRYMGPUT AND SONS, PRINTERS, KING WILLIAM STREET.
1880.
Re-typed by Joe Lane, Adelaide, December 2001.
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OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE
FOR THE YEAR 1880-81.
HON TREASURER:
MR. NATHANIEL OLDHAM.
HON. SECRETARY:
MR. C. N. COLLISON.
COMMITTEE:
REV. W. B. ANDREWSMR. M. GOODE
“ F. W. COX “ H. HAMMOND
“ W. R. FLETCHER, M.A. “ G. W. HAWKES, S.M.
“ T. LLOYD “ H. HUSSEY
“ D. PATON, M.A., B.D. “ C. J. HOLDER
MR. N. BLYTH “ J. PICKERING, J.P.
HON. JNO. COLTON, M.P. “ C. B. YOUNG.
COLLECTOR:
MR. E. MONTGOMERY MARTIN..
AT POINT MACLEAY.
SUPERINTENDENT:
MR. F. W. TAPLIN.
TEACHER:
MR. J. A. OPHEL.
FARM OVERSEER:
MR. D. BLACKWELL.
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AT THE TWENTY-SECOND ANNUAL MEETING
OF THE
ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION
(INCORPORATED.)
HELD IN THE
YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HALL,
ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON,
OCTOBER 2Tth, 1880,
HIS EXCELLENCY SIR WM. JERVOIS, K.C.M.G., C.B., IN THE CHAIR,
The SECRETARY (Mr. C. N. Collison) read the Report and Financial Statement.
***
The Rev. D. O’DONNELL moved and Mr. H. HUSSEY seconded,
“That the Report be adopted, printed, and circulated under the direction of the Committee.”
***
Mr. W. D. GLYDE, J.P., moved and the Rev. THOS. HOPE seconded,
“That the success of the Aborigines’ Friends’ Association is a matter of devout thankfulness to Almighty God. That this meeting wishes God Speed to all kindred Societies, and that a yet larger measure of Divine favour may be vouchsafed to them during the coming year.”
***
The Rev. O. COPLAND moved and Mr. E. M. MARTIN seconded,
“That the thanks of this meeting are due and are now presented to the Officers and Committee for their valuable labour during the past year, and that the meeting hereby appoints the following gentlement to be the Officers and Committee for the coming year, with power to add to their number.” (See page 2.)
***
The Rev. D. PATON moved and Mr. C. J. HOLDER seconded,
“That the thanks of this meeting are due and are hereby presented to His Excellency for his kind and able presidency this afternoon; also to the South Australian Company for so generously providing a room for the Committee meetings during the past year, and to the Board of the Young Men’s Christian Association for the use of this hall.”
REPORT OF
THE ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION
(INCORPORATED.)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30TH, 1880.
In presenting their twenty-second annual report your Committee have the pleasure of stating, that, notwithstanding the pressure of the times, the subscriptions of the public have been sustained, and the committee have been enabled to carry on their work at the mission station with a fair amount of success. The loss of the Rev. George Taplin which we had to deplore in the last annual report is one that must continue to be felt for a long time to come.
The Committee have had some difficulty and anxiety on account of reports which had been made respecting the present occupant of the office, Mr. F. W. Taplin; but after the most careful investigation have seen no reason to withdraw the confidence which they have hitherto reposed in him, and they trust that the difficulty referred to may have been finally and rightly overcome. Mr. Taplin has by his knowledge of the working of the institution, and by his tact and industry been enabled to continue the various operations efficiently, and the Committee believe maintains the confidence of the people under his charge. The Rev. F. W. Cox visited the mission station in August last, and reports that every thing was in fair working order as far as he could see throughout the institution. In the school the order and intelligence of the children would be a matter of surprise to those who had formed a low opinion of the ability of the native race. In some departments the work of these children would bear favourable comparison with that seen in the best schools in Adelaide, especially the writing in plain and ornamental hands. The reading of the children in the ordinary school lesson books showed an amount of knowledge on matters quite beyond their own experience that proved careful teaching on the one part, as well as ready minds on the other. There were 21 boys and 11 girls present on the day of Mr. Cox’s visit. Mr. Cox noticed with satisfaction that the sanddrifts which had at one time so threatening a character had been arrested by the fencing and planting with rye-grass of the exposed land.
The station was also visited during the year by the Rev. Thos. Hope, the Hon. Mr. Playford, the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and Mr. Goyder, the Surveyor-General, who expressed their satisfaction with what they saw. Messrs. J. Pickering, senr., C. J. Holder, and J. Pickering, junr., members of the Committee, also visited Point Macleay during the year that has closed.
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SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT.
“The results of past labour and attention expended in training aborigines to habits of industry and usefulness have been peculiarly manifest during the year. There may be a certain amount of scepticism abroad as to the good that is achieved, and doubt as to the advisability of laying out capital in furnishing the natives with employment; but time will show, that the ultimate benefit to these people, leaving out the present advantages, cannot be overrated, and should afford ample satisfaction to the generous subscribers to the institution.
During the past twelve months most of our experienced workmen have been fortunate in obtaining employment in the neighbourhood, the men and youths trained on the Mission being generally preferred by employers. In consequence of this, the work on the institution has been performed almost entirely by youths and boys, under the tuition of the overseer. The work has consisted mostly of fencing and ordinary station routine, it being found advisable to refrain for the time from cultivating more than about twenty acres of land for fodder purposes. The sand-drift, which last summer threatened to spread completely over Reid Town, is now, we hope, conquered, the barren sand having been caused to give place to waving crops of rye and barley. This has not been done without a considerable outlay in fencing, levelling, &c., but the result is satisfactory.
“Our stock are in good order; but we hope to effect a great improvement in this department by getting a more profitable description of sheep and cattle.
“The general behaviour of the natives has been, on the whole satisfactory. The attendance at Divine Worship, both on the Sabbath and during the week, has been encouraging. The average during the last six months has been especially good. The health of the people has been fairly good, although we have had a rather severe bout of what appeared to be a kind of typhoid fever last April, but it passed off as the season advanced.
“Death has taken from our midst two well-known and respected native members of our little community, viz.- William Nambalare and Amy Davison. William Nambalare died April 26th, 1880, at the age of about 35 years, after a brief illness. He was received into the church in 1869, and up to the time of his death maintained a character for steady and consistent behaviour as a servant of Christ. He was taken ill at Reid Town with enteric fever, and rapidly grew worse, notwithstanding all efforts made to allay the disease. His friends took him to Goolwa, and obtained the advice of the visiting doctor at that place, but in vain; his constitution, never very strong, could not rally, and it became evident to himself and his friends that his end was drawing near. Up to a few hours before his departure he was able to listen to the reading of portions of Scripture, and joined in repeating favourite hymns – the 1192nd in the Congregational hymn-book especially affording him much pleasure as he repeated the verses to himself. He remained conscious to the end, and fell asleep in perfect peace, a triumph of redeeming grace. About eighteen years ago that man with several others, defied my late father and two troopers, who were attempting to arrest a robber, and it was only by the troopers
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drawing their revolvers and showing a determined front that a serious affray was prevented. Nambalare was at that time one of the most depraved of his tribe. He was induced to adopt after a time more civilized habits, was led to attend the preaching of the Gospel, and eventually realised his danger, and found peace and pardon through the Saviour.
“Amy Davison [Minora] died December, 1879, at the age of about 21 years, after a very short illness, and leaves a husband and four children to mourn their loss. She was a member of the church, having been baptized in 1874, and was mainly remarkable for a kind disposition and devotion to her husband and children. She passed away in peace, with a sure hope of salvation through Christ.
“Such facts as these call forth our gratitude to the Almighty for blessing the efforts made to lead these poor people in the right way, and should encourage our friends to help in all ways possible this good work.
“FREDERICK W. Taplin,
“Superintendent.”
SCHOOL REPORT.
“The children have made very fair progress in the elementary instruction during the past year. Persons who have visited the school have expressed themselves as being both pleased and surprised at what they saw. Mr. H. J. Coker, of Salisbury, who paid a visit to the school in company with Mr. E. Moss, H. Urlwin and others, on June 21, wrote in the school roll-book – ‘Was struck with the progress children are making.’ Mr. H. Urlwin wrote- ‘What I saw convinced me that the children are under thorough discipline.’ The children’s conduct has, on the whole, been very commendable – a marked improvement on what it was years ago. The combined influences of Christian and secular instruction have made them much more amenable to discipline than they used to be. For this we thank God and take courage.
“The average attendance during the year has been 32 – 20 boys and 12 girls. The number on the school books is 40 – 27 boys and 19 girls. The elder girls are frequently required to assist in the cooking, cleaning, and other domestic work, and the elder boys in farm and station work. In consequence of this, the average attendance is not so high as it otherwise would be.
During the first three or four months of the year, ‘low fever’ was very prevalent round the lakes. A good many of the school children were more or less affected with this disease, and two girls – Katie Minora and Dotty Lewini – fell victims to it. The former – aged 11 years – died expressing her firm faith in Jesus as her Lord and Saviour. There is good reason to believe that the latter also died trusting in Jesus, but her extremely reserved disposition prevented her from making the outward demonstrations of that trust which it would have been a satisfaction to those around her to have seen.
“JOHN A. OPHEL,
“Schoolmaster.”
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AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL.
It will be seen by the annexed statements that the agricultural operations of the Society have been almost a failure. The barren and sandy nature of most of the land renders it almost impossible to grow wheat or other crops with profit, a matter of regret to your Committee, because they would like to have the means of employment and industrious training which this kind of work affords. On the other hand, our sheep and cattle, beside supplying meat for the institution, are yielding a considerable and increasing revenue, which will, in some degree, compensate for the time and labour bestowed by the Committee and friends of the institution in attaining the present position, the expense in purchase of sheep and fencing having been very considerable. It is believed that if we can obtain a superior and uniform breed of sheep in lieu of our present flock, a much higher price will be obtained for the wool, and a corresponding increase effected in our annual returns. We have again to thank Mr. J. H. Angas, of Collingrove, for a gift of stud sheep of the value of £40. The natural increase of our flock this year has been 537, whilst 324 have been eaten, leaving 1,761 on the station.
POPULATION
The average number of natives who have been on the station during the year was 128.
THE COMMITTEE.
The Rev. W. B. Andrews and Mr. Matthew Goode, who have been for a great many years members of the Committee, as well as Mr. C. B. Young and Mr. Neville Blyth, who are now absent in England, some of whom we hope to have with us again, to share in the responsibilities and honour of carrying on the affairs of the Association, and so, fulfilling the duty we all owe as colonists to the aboriginal inhabitants.
COLLECTOR.
Mr. E. Montgomery Martin was appointed Collector at the beginning of the financial year, in place of Mr. W. Bennett, who had faithfully filled the position for many years.
C. N. COLLISON,
Honorary Secretary.
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ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION
(INCORPORATED.)
STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURE
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30TH, 1880.
RECEIPTS.
£ s. d.
Balance in Bank, July 1, 1879…… 477 4 2
Subscriptions and donations including £150 from
the Smith of Dunesk Fund…… 360 5 8
Government Grant-in-Aid……600 0 0
Sale of Wool and Skins……314 6 3
Sale of Stock (Horse)……… 25 0 0
Sale of Stores………30719 3
Sale of Bank Shares……… 60 0 0
£ 2,148 15 4
EXPENDITURE.
Salaries of Superintendent and Teachers…290 0 0
Wages of Farm Overseer, Shepherd……129 0 0
Wages of Natives………29813 6
Wages of White Labourers…… 1017 0
Purchase of Materials for Fencing and Buildings…101 2 5
Purchase of Stores ………78711 5
Purchase of Plant……… 4118 6
General Charges………24119 2
£ s. d.
Balance in Bank as per Pass Book 25215 5
Less cheques not presented 5 2 124713 4
£ 2,14815 4
NATH. OLDHAM, Hon. Treasurer.
I have examined the accounts of which the above is an abstract, and have checked the receipts and disbursements with the entries in the Bank Pass Book and believe this to be a correct statement of the accounts of this Association for the year ended 30th June, 1880.
JAMES SMITH, Auditor.
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ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION
(INCORPORATED.)
BALANCE-SHEET for the year ended June 30th, 1880.
Dr.
£ s. d.
To Sundry Persons…… 71910 7
To Profit and Loss…… 3,796 111
£ 4,515 12 6
Cr.
By Plant –……… 29618 0
By Sales of Stores and Materials (since paid to Bank) 7818 1
By Stock……… 1,106 5 0
By Works and Buildings…… 2,151 310
By Stores on Hand…… 23414 3
By Bank of South Australia…… 24713 4
By Balance of Government Grant Due… 400 0 0
£ 4,515 12 6
Adelaide, 19th October, 1880C. N. COLLISON, Hon. Sec.
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ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION
(INCORPORATED.)
PROFIT AND LOSS STATEMENT FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30TH, 1880.
Dr.
£ s. d.
General Superintendence – Salary & Rations to Superintendent 189 2 2
School – Salaries to Teachers, wages and rations to Native
Servants, food, clothing, and books for Children 66717 9
General Charges 1871410
Maintenance, Works and Buildings18 7 8
Plant worn out 410 0
Net Loss on Farm 51110
Balance 895 711
£ 1,46812 2
Cr.
Government Grant-in-Aid 1,000 0 0
Subscriptions and Donations, including value of 4 rams,
presented by J. H. Angas, Esq. 400 5 8
Profit on sale of Bank of Adelaide Shares and Dividend24 0 0
Additional value of Stock and Fencing44 6 6
£ 1,46812 2
Adelaide, October 19th, 1880.C. N. COLLISON, Hon. Sec.
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LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS.
£ s. d.A Friend1 10 6
Anderson, J. M.2 2 0
Annual Meeting Collection4 1 9
Ayers, Sir H.1 1 0
Allen, J.0 5 0
Alberton Baptist Sunday School
Teachers of1 10 0
Barker, W.1 1 0
Buik, W. C.0 10 0
Brown & Rhompson2 2 0
Berry, Wm.0 10 6
Bailey & Craig0 5 0
Beaney, W.0 10 6
Bank of South Australia5 5 0
Barrett, J.2 0 0
Berry, Wm.0 10 6
Bentham Street Sunday School
Collection4 13 0
Blyth, N.5 0 0
Baptist Church, Flinders Street2 16 3
Cotton, G. W.1 1 0
Cox, Geo.0 10 6
Calder, Jas.1 1 0
Charnock, W. H.1 1 0
Colton, J. & Co.2 2 0
Chalmers’ Church Collection
(per Wm. Isbister) 11 1 9
Congregational Sunday School,
Hindmarsh5 5 3
Donaldson, Andrews and Sharland1 1 0
Dowie, Alex.0 10 6
Darling, J.1 1 0
Elder, Smith & Co.2 2 0
Edwards, Ellis1 1 0
Faulding, F. H. & Co.0 10 6
Fisher, Hon. Joseph1 1 0
Graves, Shap (per Jas. Scott)1 0 0
Giles, Henry2 0 0
Goldsmith, Rev. C. H.0 10 0
Glenelg Congregational Juv.
Missionary Society 16 6 8
Goode Bros.2 10 0
Hill, James1 1 0
Hall & Sons0 5 0
Hussey, H.2 2 0
Hooper, Mr.1 1 0
Hawkes, G. W. 1 1 0
Hackett, E. & W.1 1 0
Johnston & Furniss1 1 0
Kay, R.0 10 0
Kaye, A.3 0 0
Keynes, J5 5 0
Kirkpatrick, J. A.0 10 0
Murray, D. & W.5 0 0
Macgeorge, A.0 10 6
Neill, Mrs.1 0 0
Port Road, perJ. P. Stow, Esq.0 10 0
Primrose & Co.1 1 0 / £ s. d.
Phillips, W. H.1 1 0
Pile, Wm.0 10 6
Phillips, G.0 10 6
Presbyterian Church Juv.
Missionary Society7 0 0
Roberts, J. P.2 2 0
Rhodes, Wm.2 2 0
Smith of Dunesk
(per W. Barlow, Esq.) 150 0 0
Smith, F. C.0 10 6
Scott, Jas. & Co.1 1 0
Smith, Jas.2 0 0
Scott, Hon. Henry3 3 0
S A. Company5 0 0
Swaine, Mrs.0 5 0
Smedley, C.1 1 0
Smythe, Mr.0 2 6
Shierlaw, Messrs.1 1 0
Strapps, S.1 1 0
Tarlton, R. A., Hon.1 1 0
Williams, J. T.0 10 0
Wills, G. R. & Co.5 0 0
Wigg, E. S.1 1 0
Waterhouse, T. G.5 0 0
Watson, Mr.0 2 6
Wylie, Mrs.0 10 0
Young, C. B. 2 2 0
Subscriptions per Rev. F. W. Cox –
Charnock, W. H.1 0 0
Scott, Hon. Henry3 3 0
Doolette, G. P.1 1 0
Duffield, W.2 2 0
Howell, John1 1 0
Milne, Sir Wm.1 1 0
McRostie, P.1 5 0
J. H. Angas 10 10 0
Prince, Geo.1 0 0
Evans, H. A.1 0 0
Evans, S. L., Mrs.2 2 0
Freebrain, G.1 0 0
Cleland, W. L., M.D.0 5 0
Shannon, M., Mrs.1 0 0
Phillips, H. W.1 0 0
Smith, E. T., M.P.1 1 0
Truro Congregational Sunday School 2 2 0
Bickers, Captain1 0 0
Fernie, Rev. B. N.1 0 0
Gray, Jas., Rev.0 13 6
Shannon, A., Mrs.1 0 0
Smith, F. C.1 1 0
Dunn, John, sen.1 0 0
The Chief Justice1 1 0
Subscriptions per Miss Small –
Fry, H. T.0 10 0
Harris, T. W.1 1 0
Pilgrim, E. P. 0 4 0
Suhling, J. D.0 10 0
Small, Miss1 0 0 £ 360 5 8
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LIST OF NATIVES
Who have received instruction and usually reside at the Mission Station, Point Macleay.
No. / NAME. / Age. / EDUCATION.1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43 / William Kropinyeri*
Jean Parry Kropinyeri*
Edward Norman Kropinyeri
Matthew Kropinyeri
Flora Kropinyeri
Louisa (McHughes) Nambalare*
Phoebe Nambalare
James Unaipon*
Nymbalda Unaipon*
Jemima Unaipon
Mary Unaipon
David Unaipon
Leah Unaipon
George Koolmateri*
Agnes (Stephens) Koolmateri*
Ada Koolmateri
Ernest Koolmateri
John Laelinyeri*
Charlotte (Jackson) Laelinyeri*
Ellen Martin*
Minora*
William McHughes*
Sarah (Smith/Walker) McHughes*
Hetty McHughes
Napoleon Bonney
Elizabeth (Johnson) Bonney
Peter Campbell*
Nahraminyeri Campbell*
Leonard Campbell
John Campbell
William Campbell
Susan (Koolmateri) Campbell*
Miriam Campbell
John Wilkins*
Sarah (Tongkabi) Wilkins
Essie Wilkins
Phillip Rigny*
Isabella (Mutjuli) Rigny
Benjamin Rigny
Edward Rigny
Victor Herbert Rigny
Richard Bull*
Eliza Bull* / 40
32
17
14
12
26
15m
46
30
11
9
8
4
36
28
5
21/2
33
31
35
44
30
23
18m
32
21
36
30
10
8m
26
21
9m
29
20
6m
29
25
7
5
2
34
24 / Read
Read and write
Read and write
Read and write (school)
Read and write (school)
Read and write
Read and write
Read and write
At school
At school
At school
At school
Read
Read
Read and write
Read and write
Read
Read
Read and write
Read and write
Read and write
Read
Read
Read and write
At school
Read
Read and write
Read and write
Read and write
Read and write
Read and write
At school
At school
Read
Read
Those marked thus * are Church members.