West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Wednesday 2 March 1932, page 10


SOUTH COAST NATIVES.

Transfer from Madura Station.

ALBANY, Feb. 29.— When ?- in Albany recently, the Chief Protector , of Aborigines (Mr. A. O. Neville) stated that JFnllnwintr on his visit, to the South Coast

he had decided to close Madura as a rationing station for natives, and had removed them to the care of Mr. Carlisle, of Cocklebiddy Waters, for the time being. This action was hastened ,by the fact that the owner of Madura (Mr. Bowen) suddenly became ill and was unable to act for the department. 'The whole question of rationing natives in South Coast districts,' said Mr. Neville, 'presents considerable difficulties, and it is thought that Cocklebiddy, being more centr-illy situated for the natives resident in the eastern portion of the district, will in many ways be more suitable than Madura, which is too far east. It may be possible to arrange for supplies to be landed by the State vessel Kybra in the vicinity of Twilight Cove, not far from the old telegraph station at Eyre. Cocklebiddy is less than one hundred miles, by direct route, from Rawlinna, on the trans-Australian line, and if stores cannot be sent by sea it will be easy to send them to Rawlinna by train. 'Water is one of the main considerations involved in this matter,' added Mr. Neville, 'but Cocklebiddy tank, under the care of Mr. Carlisle, ensures a permanent supply. In addition there are permanent natural supplies in the vicinity of Twilight Cove, a favourite resort of the natives. There, too, are a number of reefs and plenty of fish, and nothing delights the natives more than being able to catch fish for their own consumption. Other matters respecting the rationing of natives further westward, in the same district, are receiving consideration.'