Narional Archives of Australia
Darwin Office
CRS F126 Item 36
Hermannsburg
Copyright P J Mackett 2007
Hermannsburg
11 February 1937
Dear Mr Strehlow
Martin and Moses left without taking your letter
so I shall add a little more before the camel men start.
Old Erldunda Bob came to me asking to let you know that
a man at Bucks place had taken his wife and that he was much grie-
ved about it and would like you to cover his loss for him. Others
seem to have a different opinion about the matter and say he gave
her to the other man, loaned her, and now the other fellow refuses
to return her to her former lord. However, Bob denies it, and I am
passing the complaint on to you for consideration.
Our old friend Plaiarana, the one you visited at Haasts Bluff,
came in with other men the other day and made some more trouble
here. He threw a spear at a number of children, and then he was in
the act of hurling another at some men when one of the women
grabbed him. Speaking to him afterwards, he said that he get like
drunk at times and then does not know what he does. At the same time
he said he was sure he was only throwing in that direction not
aiming at people directly. This seems to indicate that he does
what he does but apparently finds some satisfaction in acts
like that, thus being a potential danger to the community. There
was a great uproar about it and the people fled in a direc-
tions, and it seems to me as if there is no safety wherever he mo-
ves about. In his own interest as well as all the others it would
perhaps be better if he would be removed to a place where he would
and could be no danger to others. He went back to get his blankets,
but is expected here again in about a week or two weeks time.
Perhaps you could let me know with the camel boys what you think
about it.
A Mrs Freeman has arrived here. She has been with her hus-
band for over 30 years as a missionary in Siam, has later studied
Anthropology in Sydney, together with Miss Pink, and now she wants
to make some observations and investigations of her own. She must
be nearly 70 years of age. She is very anxious to come and see you,
so I dont want to say any more at the moment.
Kind regards
Yours sincerely
F Albrecht
__________________________________________________________________
Extract from a letter written October 28th 1937
Titus was in here from out West, somewhat dis heartened. He
had told the people they should not go onto white men's country,
as otherwise they would meet with trouble. And now they are
swarming all over the place, and nothing happens to them, neither
has anyone else told them not to wander about everywhere. Some
have, therefore, concluded that this is only Titus' talk and
openly told him he was a liar. I consider this a most serious
matter. Not that it will hurt Titus much to be told what they
think of him, but I am afraid if nothing is done, all our efforts
will be in vain; The tribal life will crumple up, the people used
to loafing before they have seen the better side of their free
life in their own country, thus become spoiled for good. Even if
only a Native Patrol could be sent out and these fellows told that
they may wander as far and as much as they like in the unoccupied
area, but definately be pushed off the settled district, so that they
dont get spoiled as beggars
__________________________________________________________________
Hermannsburg
22 May 1938
Dear Mr Strehlow
As I shall not be able to see you before Pente-
cost, I am going to write about an affair that has caused me a
lot of concern lately.
You may remember me telling you that Doolin, the Native whom
you told to leave the place about October last year, only went
away some weeks after Christmas, after he had had his share of the
clothing etc, we had issued to our people, and had taken Elizabeth, daugh-
ter of August , with him. She returned some weeks ago and is now with
her parents who are shepherding sheep in the Ellerys Creek.
Some time ago I noticed a man whom I thought to be Doolin, here
at the station but did not make any further enquiries as I did not see
him again. Now we are all down the Finke doing up the road to Palm
Valley, and to my consternation I find Doolin among our workers.
It is, therefore, clear that he has been back here again for some
time.
Puntunga and Enduna, who were told to go back to their people
out West, are here also. As far as I know neither of the two has
been away from here any length of time.
You will remember the role Doolin played by trying to break
up the family of Gerhard-Kaia, and how Puntunga was the leader of a
group of boys who ransacked the camp of the Pioneer tourists last
winter, after he had run away from school. For years past I have tried
to do something for Doolin, but I have never gained the feeling that he
is prepared to break with his old way of living, and I dont know
that I could anything for him anymore. Apparently he is determined
to show that he may do as he likes. I know that his influence, espe-
cially among the young people is of the most detrimental nature,
and if he is allowed to continue as he has done in the past, I can
only see the greatest harm resulting from his associations with
our many young men at the station. His chief attraction here of cour-
se, is the food he is able to obtain by begging, and I am wondering
whether there is no possibility of ridding the Mission of people
who are determined to overthrow everything that we are trying to do
to help them. I would be thankful, indeed, if you could remove the
people mentioned before, from here so that they could not continue
undermining the work of the Mission.
With kind regards
Yours sincerely
F Albrecht
__________________________________________________________________
Alice Springs Hospital
Northern Territory Administration
Alice Springs
To Gustav, Aboriginal, resident at Finke River Mission Hermannsburg
Having received information that you have been
in .......... contact with a person .............
..........., to wit your wife Irene, under the
powers invested in me as a Health Officer .........
....................................................
under the Health Ordinance (1915 - 1939), I, Patrick
John Reilly, hereby order you to accompany forthwith
the bearer of this notice ...........................
to the Alice Springs Hospital, and to remain there
for such period as I shall hereafter further unstruct
you.
Take notice also that in the event of your
failing to obey this instruction immediate legal action
will be taken against you according to the provisions
......................................................
P J Reilly
Health Officer
Note The sections marked '.........' have been censored by
National Archives of Australia personnel.
P J Mackett
__________________________________________________________________
List of Children of Natives Under 16 years of age,
living at Hermannsburg, Central Australia circa 1941
Parents Name of Child Date of Birth
Abel & Rosa Brien 24.11.1931
Bruce Abt 1928 (foster child)
Albert & Rubina Ewald 11. 7.1930
Martha 27. 3.1932
Keith 13. 6.1937
Maurice 29. 7.1939
Alwin & Franziska Maxina 24. 7.1931
Nahum 23. 7.1937
Melvin 7. 8.1940
Alfred & Oliva Arpa 4. 9.1926
Howard 3. 6.1931
Gottlieb 15. 2.1934
Lorna 21.10.1936
Beata 5. 6.1939
Arthur & Kathie David 18. 6.1937
Clemens 30. 7.1939
Cyprian & Julianna (Foster Parents) Mona .12.1933
Lotty Abt 1933
Luise (foster mother, parents dead) Felicia 3. 1.1934
Rosina 16. 3.1931?
Anna 12. 7.1933
Eric & Dinah Valma 5. 6.1938
Jochebed .12.1940
Epafras & Jintinaka Mary Abt 1933
Tilly Abt 1936
Grace 22. 5.1941
Efraim & Lea Jeffroy 15. 1.1931
Johanna 2.10.1933
Lorna 4. 8.1935
Rebekka (foster mother) Esma 1. 9.1928
Ella . 5.1932
Edward & Angelika Basil 12.12.1936
Randal 11. 7.1939
Enos & Elizabeth Charles 29. 6.1940
Flora (father dead) Rudolf 17.11.1933
Baby 6. 9.1941
Gustav & Eileen Konstantia 18. 1.1931
Patrick 12. 8.1933
Theodora 15.10.1935
Iris 25.10.1940
George & Serene (foster parents) Maxwell 1. 2.1932
Immanuel Abt 1928
Gottfried & Linda Selina 6.10.1928
Arnulf 18. 1.1931
Denis 2. 7.1932
Topsy 7.11.1934
Emily 23. 6.1937
Daniel 15. 6.1940
Henoch & Regina Olga 28. 9.1940
Henry & Irma Duncan 15. 5.1938
Harry & Hedwig Babetta 31. 8.1936
Ray 15. 3.1941
Jeannie Abt 1928 (mother dead)
Jeremias & Gwendoline Hermann 7. 2.1939
Marion 18. 3.1940
Johannes & Priscilla Ernestine 17. 5.1938
Massey Abt 1928 (foster child)
Kristof & Monica Leokadia 8. 4.1931
Norman 12. 7.1935
Noel 9. 6.1937
Benno 2. 5.1939
Fogarty Abt 1931 (foster child)
Beryl Abt 1933 (foster child)
Kosam & Rosalie Sebald 7. 4.1931
Dawson 1.10.1933
Lorenz & Minna Stella 28.12.1930
Ambrose 28.11.1934
Siglinda 24. 5.1937
Carl 4. 8.1940
Lukas & Elvida Joyce 7. 6.1931
Faith 16. 7.1933
Mavis 3. 5.1937
Philippus 24.12.1938
Valerie 20.12.1940
Manasse & Eva Milton 17. 2.1932
Lewis 10. 4.1935
Vincent 10. 2.1938
Gregory 29. 2.1940
Obed (mother dead) Helen 8. 2.1937
Otto & Kekoman Trevor 17. 1.1941
Riedel & Veronika Tato Abt 1931 (foster child)
Rolf & Ruby Kenneth 9. 4.1932
Bernice 21. 8.1934
Bertram 22.11.1938
Robert (foster father) Lionel 23. 3.1932
Numita (foster mother) Roland 3. 2.1940
Rex & Amanda Drusilla 8.11.1925
Edgar 3. 5.1932
Horace 7.12.1934
Edna 10. 5.1937
Cora 22. 6.1940
Raymond & Agnes Eudoxia 21.12.1930
Tabea 13. 8.1937
Cynthia 27.10.1937 (foster child)
Reinhold & Clara Clifford 26. 9.1927
Russell 14. 1.1931
Hilde 10. 9.1932
Max 17. 6.1935
Mirjam 10.10.1937
Levy Abt 1931 (foster child)
Euginie (father dead) Erna 8.10.1937
Elijah 7.11.1938
Matilde (foster mother) Roma 4. 3.1932
Walter & Kordula Marjorie 21. 2.1936
Shirley 30. 5.1938
Josua 6. 7.1940
Marianne (foster mother) Amy 14. 1.1931
William & Naemi John Abt 1931
Mary Abt 1933
Paul Abt 1935
Nancy 17.12.1937
George Abt 1931 (foster child)
Richard & Nabitji Reginald 7. 4.1941
Claude Abt 1928 (foster child)
Nguluntu & Mongana Ngalieri Abt 1928
Tjua Abt 1931
Talkiljeri & Wintjiri Light Abt 1934
Gordon Abt 1937
Baby Early 1940
Stanley & Vera Donald 1. 8.1932
Minnagata (foster mother) Njumi Abt 1934
Ruby Edna .1940
As per above list, there are
thirteen families with one child
fifteen families with two children
nine families with three children
four families with four children
four families with five children
three families with six children
total of one hundred and twenty four children.
Superintendent
Hermannsburg via Alice Springs
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