Too Many Tears—Document Transcripts
Ch. 1: My Beginning
For any having difficulties reading file documents reproduced in Too Many Tears, on these pages we provide a transcript below a rendering of the scanned document as used in the book.
P. 4: Notification of my birth
Karonie, 4/1/36.
The Chief Protector of Aborigines,
Murray Street,
Perth.
Dear Sir,
I have to advise you that a half-caste daughter was born to a native woman named Topsy on Thursday January 2nd. In a letter to you dated 23/11/35 [No. 4420] I mentioned the above native “Topsy” as being one of the two who were supposed to have been in the company of certain white men for some considerable period.
We have fixed up a suitable camp for both Topsy and Dinah and are giving both the necessary attention. Mrs. Lockett found suitable clothing for the child for the time being, but would be glad if some babies clothing could be supplied. We have three babies here now, including “Sandy” who is getting on well. All the three latter being half-castes. I remain,
Yours faithfully,
E Lockett.
P. 6: Naming Sandy
C.N.A.
I do not like the name of Jubilee as a surname, nor do I like Sandy as a Christian name. He is a half-caste and as we have received him young, he is likely to receive a fair education and perhaps he will become a good type of half-caste. In these circumstances I suggest that he be given a fair chance and call him Sam Lee.
D.C.N.A.
30th. August, 1938.
AON 31.8.8
Sounds a bit Chinese! Let him be Sandiland Lee! Sandy for short.
P. 8: Caring for the baby
Karonie, 8/7/36.
As this case illustrates, it is a great drawback not having sufficient water, as without a conveyance one is not able to keep the watch over the natives one would like. One might also attribute the death indirectly perhaps to the father of the half-caste “Myrtle”, punishment for whom could not be too heavy.
I remain,
Yours faithfully,
E Lockett.
C.P.A.
29/7/36
I presume the child Myrtle could be left in the care of Ida for the time being? It is only a baby of six months.
AON 30.7.6
Yes for the present but he must keep a close watch upon the child.
P. 9: My mysterious whereabouts
Mt. Margaret
MORGANS W.A.
13th June, 1937.
Mr. A.O. Neville
Commissioner of Native Affairs,
Box 134, G.P.O.,
PERTH.
Dear Sir,
Our natives had heard that “Ulbugga” alias Ida had taken Topsy’s child. They say that Ulbugga (known to us as Yoolboonga) is not dead as your letter of the 21st would indicate, but that Topsy’s mother died. They seem uncertain about the whereabouts of Topsy’s child. Some say that she is with Wolawurra near Linden, and others say that she is with Ulbugga alias Yoolboonga at a waterhole out from Karonie. The relatives want to know if they can bring her here and of course their first question was, “Would she be sent down south?” If you would grant us permission to take this child then we would get them to bring her up.
Yours for Christ and the Natives,
R.A. Schenk.
P. 10: Into the rationing depot
Karonie, 7/9/37.
The Commissioner of Native Affairs
Dear Sir,
Yesterday at the rationing of our natives, we were informed that some natives who had just arrived from somewhere North, had brought with them a little half-caste Girl, whom, I should say would be about 18 months old, they did not bring it to us, but immediately we were at liberty the Wife and I walked down to the camp and saw the little thing, a lovely little child. The woman in charge of her attempted to make off with it, but I overtook her, and we persuaded her to bring it up to the house with us. Mrs Carlisle washed and dressed the poor little thing, and we took it inside but it cried and sobbed so pitifully, making such impassioned gestures to us to take it to its foster mother, that we just had to do it. So we allowed the woman, who was also crying bitterly, to take it for a while longer, and until it knew us better, on the distinct understanding that she was not to attempt to leave the Depot with it, and that she brought it to us twice a day to be washed and fed.
P. 11: Seeking my father
I am anxious to learn as much as possible about this man Healey with a view to confirming the allegation that he is the father of the child Myrtle.
P. 11: Healey’s not quite denial
COPY ORIGINAL ON POLICE FILE 2155/37.
When I arrived at the camp, Charlie Healey was there with another man named Jack Farley who has the contract, but George Ridd was away pulling and Farley stated that he would not be back to the camp until about 6.00 p.m.
(…)
I made enquiries from several prospectors who have visited the sandalwood camps from time to time during the four months that Ridd and Healey have been out there and they stated that at no time have they seen any natives in that vicinity and were very doubtful if they would go so far out considering the nature of the country and water supply.
(…)
Healey stated that he has not been at Monaghan Well for nearly two years, and has not been associating with native women since leaving there. Healey admits that he used to associate with the two native women, Topsy and Kitty, and as far as he knows the half-caste child Myrtle belongs to the woman Topsy who is now deceased.
P. 12: Don’t change my name
NOTE
When I was en route to Noresman with Mr. Carlisle on the 23rd ult., I mentioned to him that it was not the practice to alter the names of children without the approval of the Commissioner. I instanced his alteration of Myrtle’s name to that of Heather. In explanation of his action Mr. Carlisle told me that the natives were pleased when Myrtle’s name was changed to Heather as they did not like the name Myrtle because it reminded them of Myrtle’s mother. He could not explain why.
Mr. Carlisle said he would revert to the use of the name Myrtle for this child and in future he would respect the instruction that names were not to be altered except on the approval of the Commissioner. I pointed out to Mr. Carlisle that these alterations caused a great deal of confusion in our records. He said that this point had not occurred to him previously but he now appreciated it.
D.C.N.A.
3rd December, 1937.
P. 12: Acting against Healey
In view of Healey’s previous association with the deceased woman Topsy and the present allegation that the native woman (…) is now his consort, it seems to me that he has a weakness for native women and it is apparent that very drastic action must be taken to have him brought to book for his offences in this connection.
I shall be glad therefore, if you will kindly instruct Inspector Clements of Kalgoorlie that the most minute enquiry must be made respecting Healey’s association with native women and that drastic action must be taken to suppress his illicit relations with them.
To permit action being taken against Charlie Healey without further reference to me, I attach my authority under Section 46 of the Native Administration Act for a complaint to be made against him for a breach of the Section.
P. 13: With Ida to Perth then Moore River
The Commissioner for Native Affairs.
Dear Sir,
Concerning the half-blood or octoroon girl Ida, aged about 17 and the little half-blood child Myrtle aged about 2½ years whom you have consented to have brought to Perth, Mrs. Carlisle proposes to leave here to escort the said girls, on Tuesday 14th instant and should arrive in Perth on Wednesday 15th June, and will, of course, present the girls at Head Office for your further discretion.
Mrs. Carlisle would appreciate the favour if she were permitted whilst in Perth to make a short visit to Moore River Native Settlement to acquaint ourselves with methods etc. adopted there with a view to gaining information which may prove useful to us at a later period.
Transition
P. 14: My names made official
D.C.N.A.
Re Myrtle
This girl who was brought from Karonie to Perth by Mrs. Carlisle in June, has now been transferred to Moore River Native Settlement and she will require a surname.
Her father is Charles Healy (whiteman)
Her mother is Topsy f.b. (deceased)
Myrtle could be given the surname of Healy but it would be necessary to obtain her father’s approval for this to happen. I notice that last year Mr. Carlisle referred to this girl as Heather, as the natives did not like the name Myrtle, because it reminded them of Myrtle’s deceased mother. He could not explain why. However, you instructed him on your visit in November last not to alter the names of children without the consent of the Commissioner. He then reverted to the original name.
I suggest her being given the name of Myrtle Heather.
11-7-38
C.N.A.
Recommended accordingly. Healey has not admitted parentage, so it would be inadvisable to give her the surname of Healey.
D.C.N.A.
11th July, 1938.
AON 12.7.8
I think Myrtle Heather very nice — Let her have it.
Copyright 2008 Meme Media