Twenty-Seventh Annual Report

EXTRACTS FROM

THE

TWENTY-SEVENTH ANNUAL REPORT

OF

ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION.

(INCORPORATED.)

READ AT THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD IN THE YOUNG MEN’S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION HALL ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH, 1885.

HON. DAVID MURRAY, M.L.C., IN THE CHAIR.

ADELAIDE:

SCRYMGOUR AND SONS, PRINTERS, KING WILLIAM STREET.

1885.

Re-typed by Joe Lane, Adelaide, December 2001.

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EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT OF THE A.F.A.

For year ending 30th June, 1885.

SUPERINTENDENT’S REPORT

Mr. J. A. Ophel, after many years of faithful labour, has left the service of the Association to follow another occupation, in which the Committee heartily wish him prosperity.

The work of rabbit destruction, affording as it does full employment for all able-bodied natives, has been a considerable hindrance in several respects; for although we naturally welcome any suitable employment for the people, the nomadic life of the rabbit hunter, together with the high wages earned and consequent extravagant and improvident habits encouraged, call up serious doubts as to any real benefit afforded by this means of livelihood. This work, however, is one that suits the aboriginal taste, and we would not deter them in any way from engaging in it; the wisest course being to strive to regulate their habits by such means as we have at our command, and induce them to resist the natural inclination to go back to the old habit of wurley life, with all its loose and objectionable features.

The absence of so many of the people has militated somewhat against our operations, and more than ever will it be necessary to follow them up, and so endeavour to exercise influence over them where they go.

The progress in spiritual matters has not been such as to afford entire satisfaction, but although we may not see the fruit of our labours, we trust that our efforts have not been in vain. The attendance at Divine worship has been fairly good, and the general advance in educational matters has been satisfactory.

The health of the people has on the whole been good. A serious outbreak of measles, however, occurred in August 1884, and over 80 cases came under treatment of the Institution; only one, however, proved fatal.

The farm and station work has, owing to the employment elsewhere previously alluded to, been confined very much to the ordinary routine of the Mission. A considerable quantity of wool besides our own clip was washed for Messrs. Bowman and Richman.

Another cottage has been erected at the expense of the Institution.

It is with regret that I have to report the death of two steady, industrious Christian men connected with our Institution – George Koolmatere and Charles Conolly. George Koolmatere was one of the native party recently visiting Adelaide. He was aged about 45 years, and died on the 20th July, of congestion of the liver, after a comparatively short illness. He was baptized the 2nd October, 1870, and for fifteen years has lived a Christian life, and died having entire trust in the finished work of Christ. Koolmatere’s death was the cause of considerable excitement amongst the natives, as he was much beloved and respected, and was nephew of the old chief, who is still alive. In the early days of the Mission, the death of such a man would have resulted in several battles with the neighbouring tribes, as revenge for supposed sorcery. Now, messengers were sent to invite all to attend a Christian burial, and not a rumour of witchcraft was found.

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The death of Charles Conolly has likewise been sincerely regretted by all acquainted with him. He died on the 31st July, of lung disease, aged about 22. Conolly came to the Mission as a boy many years ago from Queensland, having been brought to Adelaide by a cattle-drover, and was left to take care of himself in the city. A kind-hearted waggoner told Charlie of the “blackfellow’s school,” and eventually brought him to Milang, and forwarded him across the Lake. Physically weak, and of poor intellectual power, he made slow progress in the school, but, under kindly influence, in a few years showed many excellent traits of character. A black man named Peter Gollan with his wife adopted the lad, and continued to his death the most affectionate foster parents. Not until April, 1882, did Charlie decide to give himself to Christ. He was baptized the 7th May following, and has lived a consistent Christian life since, his concern for the spiritual welfare of those around him being remarkable. His death was, as he joyfully expressed it, a passing away to “home.”

These two cases have afforded a large amount of encouragement to persevere in the work amongst the natives. Although it may at times seem to be mere drudgery, and without result, we still have the promise that faithful discharge of duty to our Master shall bring its own reward.

In conclusion, we would assert that the supporters of the Institution may be confident that although the work of the missionary laboring amongst South Australian aboriginals cannot be reported as one of stirring incident or romance, it is nevertheless well worthy of support as a labor of love to the people whose country we occupy, and consequently are in duty bound to help and defend against the harm inseparably connected with the introduction of civilization.

FREDK. W. TAPLIN,

Superintendent.

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POINT MACLEAY MISSION STATION.

TO THE COMMITTEE OF THE ABORIGINES’ FRIENDS’ ASSOCIATION.

GENTLEMEN – Having been appointed a deputation to visit the Aboriginal Mission Station, Point Macleay, and to inspect the working of the same, we beg to report as follows:--

We arrived at Point Macleay on Monday, 5th October, and remained till the 9th. We found all well with the exception of more or less dandelion fever, and one case of consumption, the patient being Jemima Polteena [Unaipon], married woman, aged 15. We found most of the natives absent at the surrounding sheep stations, where shearing was in full swing. There were about 50 natives on the station, the majority of them being women, old men, and children. We inspected the school now under the care of Mr. Walter Hutley, who is an enthusiast in the work of teaching, and who has introduced into the school the course of instruction, and the methods of teaching, followed in the public schools. We were present when the various classes were exercised in reading, arithmetic, Australian geography, and a blackboard object lesson, and found the children fairly proficient in all subjects. The lesson on Australian geography was given from an outline map, from which the names of the places were omitted, and some of the native boys were able to indicate correctly the names of the chief towns and ports, with their products and extracts. The writing of both boys and girls was good, the books clean and neat, and the composition and dictation fairly free from error. The copybooks in use (Vere Foster’s) are rather too advanced for the majority of the pupils, and it would facilitate the work of the school if a supply of books of a more rudimentary character could be obtained. The children were prompt and respectful, and we were glad to find that drill has been introduced and is liked by the scholars. We should add that the number at school – about 20 – was smaller than usual, owing to the absence of so many families.

The station buildings generally presented a neat and clean appearance. The interiors of the native cottages were on the whole creditable, some of them being models of neatness, and not wanting in some of the conveniences of civilized life. There is a sewing machine in nearly every cottage, and as a rule the native women make most of the clothing worn by their families. The children’s dormitories were clean and comfortable, and the children healthy and contented. Mrs. Hutley is matron, and instructs the girls in needlework. We saw some of their work, which seemed neatly and strongly finished. The farm work, under the supervision of Mr. Blackwell, was at a standstill, owing to absence of the men. The few who were at home were engaged in making ready for the shearing and wool-scouring, which will be commenced as soon as the shearing at the neighbouring sheds is completed. There is an abundance of feed on the station, and such of the stock as we saw, seemed to be in good condition. A crop of 30 acres of Cape barley gives promise of a middling yield.

The vegetable garden is well is well stocked with all kinds of vegetables, and by the help of irrigation yields an ample supply for all residents on the Station through the whole season. Accompanied by Mr. Taplin, we visited the following stations – Narrung, Campbell Park, Warringer, and Poltallock, and at each place conducted a religious service for blacks and whites. In doing this we travelled at least 100 miles by land and water; we came in contact with 143 natives, besides the 50 at the Mission Station; and the services we conducted were attended by 132 persons of both races. These services are conducted regularly by Mr. Taplin during the shearing season, and are much appreciated by both natives and Europeans. We were informed that these are the only opportunities enjoyed by some white shearers of hearing the gospel from one year’s end to the other. To the credit of the natives it should be mentioned that at each of the stations, during the shearing season, they conduct a religious service on Sunday evening, which is attended by some of the white men.

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There was a good deal of sickness amongst the natives at the different camps, and the arrival of Mr. Taplin with his medicine chest was always welcome. Mr. Taplin seems to possess considerable skill in the treatment of disease, and is often the means of saving life. His gratuitous services in this way are a great boon to the whole lake district, which is without a resident doctor, and must be a considerable saving of expense to the Government. During the trip to the shearing sheds we were much assisted in our movements by Captain Wallace, of the mail steamer “Dispatch.” The Mission is much indebted to Captain Wallace for frequent help of this kind, rendered in a most cheerful and unostentatious manner.

When at Meningie, while Messrs. Taplin and McEwin conducted the religious service at Warringer, Mr. Madge assisted at a temperance meeting in the township, which was attended by about 50 persons. On our return to the Mission Station on Thursday, 8th inst, we learned with regret that Jemima Polteena, already referred to, had died during our absence. She was the daughter of James Unaipon, who with his wife are members of the church. She was educated at the Mission Station, and though she had not made a profession of religion, she was known to be a Christian girl. At the request of the superintendent, Mr. McEwin conducted the funeral service, which was attended by the immediate relatives of the deceased, the school children, most of the Europeans on the Station, and a considerable number of the natives, some of whom had come some distance to show their respect for their departed friend. Amongst those present was old chief Peter, the grandfather of the deceased girl, who is upwards of 70 years of age, but still hale and hearty. Peter, though not a professing Christian, has a respect for religion, and is an upright and honest man. We were very favourably impressed with the natives of this locality, who seem industrious, civil, and possessed of a large degree of self-respect. One thing with which we were pleased was the entire absence of begging, and we found that they have a great contempt for the mendicant natives, who hang about the city and subsist on charity. Christianity has evidently done much for the lake natives, who in some respects compare favourably with many Europeans. At one of the stations the overseer informed us that he had little trouble with the native shearers, who, though slower than the whites, did their work in a satisfactory manner.

We cannot close this report without expressing our sense of the importance of the work which is being carried on by Mr. Taplin and his coadjutors, Messrs. Hutley and Blackwell, and our gratification at the evident success which has been achieved. Each officer seems to be peculiarly qualified for his duties, and all add to their other qualifications a deep interest in the natives, and an earnest desire to promote their spiritual welfare.

Wishing the mission continued success,

We are, Gentlemen,

Yours very faithfully,

JOHN McEWIN.

Adelaide,M. H. MADGE.

14th October, 1885.

Balance of Statement of Receipts and Expenditure for yr ended 30th June, 1885: £ 2,472 5s. 9d.

Subscriptions and Donations:£ 285 12s. 1d.

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LIST OF NATIVES

Who have received instruction, and usually reside at the Mission Station, Point Macleay.

Those marked thus * are Church members.

Name

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LIST OF NATIVES (continued)

Name

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LIST OF NATIVES (continued)

Name

RETURN showing the number of natives of all classes on the Station at Point Macleay,

on the last day of every month.