[“North-West Natives”, The Western Mail (Perth, WA), Friday 09 May 1913, page 54]
NORTH-WEST NATIVES.
YEAR’s WORK AMONGST THEM.
THE NATIVE MISSION.
The fact that the annual report of the Aborigines Department for the year ending June 30 last was only ready for presentation to the Colonial Secretary recently is accounted for by reason of the immense territory which the Department has to cover, and the voluminous subsidiary reports and accounts and statistics which have to be marshalled into well-ordered form before they can be embodied under one cover for Parliament and the controlling Minister. The report as a whole, although belated, is of profound interest, as showing what is being done to make the lot of the aborigine brighter, and his life more useful. Of main interest is the report of the Chief Inspector (Mr. Gale).
...
Lock Hospitals.
“During the year 52 native patients suffering from venereal disease in its various forms were admitted into the Dorre and Bernier Island hospitals. I am pleased to report that during the same period 120 natives were discharged by the Superintendent Medical Officer as having been cured, and were sent back to their respective homes, leaving a total of 57 patients on the islands at the end of the year under review. Since the hospitals have been ready to receive patients a total of 405 have been under treatment, of which number 245 have been discharged, and 103 deaths have occurred. Although the death rate appears very heavy it must always be remembered that a large proportion of the cases were practically hopeless before reaching the hospitals.
...
During my journey down the coast from Broome, I made special inquiries into the relieving station at La Grange Bay, where for years past the Department has been paying a per capita grant for relieving indigent natives, and, on my return, recommended an alteration of the system, in consequence of which a Departmental relieving station has been formed, and a paid officer appointed to distribute rations, which are forwarded from Broome in bulk. Not only is this system a saving to the Government, but it is more satisfactory in every way. Relief on the same system at Lombadina under the supervision of Father Nicholas Emo, still continues. The total cost of rations distributed to those in want during the year, supplying them with blankets, clothing, and medical attention when required, was £11,122 5s. 7d., an increase of £1,437 13s. 9d. over the preceding year. In all 2,992 blankets, 1,092 dresses, 938 shirts (men’s), 919 undershirts (women’s), and 858 dungaree trousers have been distributed among the old and infirm, and other deserving cases.
...
AB notes:
From 1 July 1911 to 30 June 1912, 52 new admissions, 120 discharges, leaving 57 on the islands at year end.
An important tally here: since foundation, 405 treated, 245 discharged, 103 died.
Mention made here of the per capita “indigent grant” paid to those offering relief to Aborigines.
Nicholas Emo is mentioned as the recipient of such assistance, for relief given at Lombadina.
