["Natives in the Nor-West", The Sunday Times (Perth, WA), Sunday 24 November 1912, First Section page 9]
NATIVES IN THE NOR-WEST
Alteration of Departmental Control
It is intended to bring all the hospitals of the State, with the exception, of the Perth and Fremantle institutions, under the Medical Department, and it was in connection with this determination by the Government that Dr. Hope, the Commissioner of Public Health, recently paid a visit to
the Nor'-West. Previously, the sick natives at Dorre and Bernier islands were under the control of the Aborigines Department, but it was felt that it would be better if the hospitals on those islands were transferred to the Medical Department, though it was a change that did not meet with the approval of the Protector of Aborigines (Mr. Gale).
Another matter that was determined on in connection with Dr. Hope's Nor'-West visit wsa to do away with Bedout Island, near Roebourne, which is a completely barren and desolate spot, as an isolation spot for those suffering from leprosy, and to erect an isolated compound on both Dorre and Bernier Islands for the male and female lepers. According to Mr. Angwin, the Minister controlling the Medical Department, this will be a
far better scheme than the one which had been in force hitherto, for there are only four lepers altogether to be dealt with.
