1938 Report - Aborigines Protection Board
Printed for the NSW Legislative Assembly, Government Printer, Sydney 1938.
'Proceedings of the Committee, Minutes of Evidence and Exhibits.' 130pp.
The bulk of this report are the 3,952 questions and answers asked by the Committee of 15 witnesses, most of whom were managers of stations throughout New South Wales. Other witnesses were William Ferguson 'representing the Aborigines of NSW' and Mrs. Kelly from the Dept. of Anthropology, University of Sydney and The Association for the Protection of Native Races. Also a contrarian ex station manager Roderick Brain.
There is finely detailed information on mis-management, conditions, health and housing, official (and unofficial) treatment of 'inmates' etc.
Witnesses were allowed to cross examine other witnesses with some interesting results.
NOTE: this copy was owned by 'Pearl Gibbs - Nowra'….
(Pearl Mary (Gambanyi) Gibbs 1901-1983). Her entry in Australian Dictionary of Biography states…
'New legislation in 1936 widened the board's powers to allow the confinement of anyone 'apparently having an admixture of aboriginal blood' at one of its managed stations; this change meant that Pearl was now covered by the legislation. In 1937 she travelled to Sydney and began work for the fledgling Aborigines Progressive Association with Bill Ferguson and Jack Patten. She collected information at Brewarrina that assisted the association to publicise the deteriorating conditions on overcrowded reserves, and to obtain an inquiry into the protection board; a select committee sat during 1937 and 1938.' [ADB]. She also helped plan the first Day of Mourning in 1938, and had subsequent lifetime of Aboriginal advocacy.
Exterior condition is poor, paper cover stained and chipped, contents are fairly clean and well stapled with occasional pencil marking and dog ears. The last 10 pages are overtly water stained to the bottom. (33x21cm)



Estimate $70-150