Record series
Aboriginal Protectorate Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly and Annual Reports and Journals
VPRS 4410
1839 - 1849
Open
North Melbourne
Agencies
This record series was created by:
Chief Protector of Aborigines ( VA512 ): 1839 - 1849
Agencies responsible for this record series: Date Range
Series date range: 1839 - 1849
Series in custody:
1839 - 1849
Contents in custody:
1839 - 1849
Function / Content
This series consists of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual reports addressed to the Chief Protector of Aborigines (VA 512) for the four Aboriginal Protectorate Districts: North Eastern District; North Western District; Western District and Westernport District.North Eastern District
For the North Eastern District the series contains medical reports by Dr Baylie and Dr Campbell and one report of proceedings for the period 1839 - 1840 by Assistant Protector James Dredge. The medical reports are basically lists which provide information on the medical cases treated at the Goulburn River Aboriginal Station. Some of the medical reports, however, are general statements on Koori health. Dredge's report gives a general statement of his activities and the condition of the District.
North Western District
For the North Western District the series contains medical reports for Dr Baylie, Dr Campbell and Medical Dispenser Richard Tobin and quarterly, periodical and annual reports and journals by Assistant Protector Edward Parker. The medical reports are basically lists which provide information on the medical cases treated at the Loddon River Aboriginal Station. Some of the reports, however, are general statements on Koori health. Parker's reports and journals provide detailed accounts of his activities and incidents occurring in the district. From the reports and journals information can be found about the following subjects: daily life in the district; crime by Aborigines; crime by white settlers against Aborigines and the activities of Aboriginal tribes.
Western District
For the Western District the series contains medical reports for the period 1843-1844 by John Watton and two annual reports for the Mt Rouse Station for 1846 and 1848 by John Watton. These medical reports and annual reports are very sketchy.
Westernport District
For the Westernport District the series contains medical reports by Dr Baylie (for Narre Narre Warren Station only) and Henry Jones Medical Dispenser and monthly, quarterly and periodical reports and journals from Assistant Protector Thomas. Thomas' reports and journals provide a daily record of his activities and incidents occurring in the District. The reports and journals are comprehensive and provide information on the following subjects: Native Police Corps, daily life in the district; crime among Aborigines; crime by White Settlers against aborigines and the activities of aboriginal tribes. Some of Thomas' reports have returns of births and deaths attached.
Research Note
While all of the reports and journals contained in VPRS 4410 are unregistered it appears that some of the reports were originally enclosures of Robinson's correspondence to the Superintendent of Port Phillip District (i.e. the reports were sent to Robinson and then referred to the Superintendent by Robinson with a covering letter which were registered by the Superintendent's Office.) At some time these reports were separated from Robinson's registered covering letter - probably when the records were transferred to the Department of Crown Lands and Survey. The original registered covering letters can be located in VPRS 10 and VPRS 19. Reports which were not separated can also be found in VPRS 10 and VPRS 19.
Horburgh's reports for 1849 - 1850 can be located in conjunction with VERS 10, VPRS 11, and VPRS 19 as these series contain much additional information on various subjects raised in the reports and journals. VPRS 21 and VPRS 30 provide information on the subject of Aboriginal crime.
How to use the records
Consult the consignment details list to locate the letter covering the topic of interest.Recordkeeping system
This series was arranged artificially by the archivist as the original order was unknown.Reports were arranged alphabetically by the author, then chronologically.
Item description 1 contains details about the type of report and the period it covers. Item description 2 provides details regarding the author of the report, their position title and District.
