Aborigines Protection Act 1886 (WA)

50 VICTORDE. No. 26

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

ANNO QUINQUAGESIMO

VICTORTN, REGIME

No. 25

An Act to provide for the better protection and manage- ment of the Aboriginal Natives of Western Australia, and to amend the Law relating to certain Contracts

with such Aboriginal Natives.

[Assented to 2nd September, 1886.

HEREAS it is expedient to establish a Borrd for the better

ginal Native affairs, and to amend the law relating to Contracts withWProtection of the Aborigines and the management of Abori-

and other matters affecting Aboriginal Natives : Be it enacted by His Excellency the Governor of Western Australia and its Dependencies, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof,

as follows :—

1. This Act may be cited for all purposes as The Aborigines short tftle

Protection Act, 1886,' and is divided into Parts, as follows (that is to say):

Part I.—Constitution, Powers, and Duties of Board, and

Appointment of Protectors.

Part II.—Contracts.

Part III.—Employment of Aboriginal Prisoners.

Part IV.—Apprentices.

Part V.—Miscellaneous.

and shall come into operation and take effect from the first day of

January, 1887.

2. In the construction and for the purposes of this Act, the word Interpretation

'Board' shall mean The Aborigines Protection Board ' constituted and

appointed under this Act.

PART 1.—CONSTITUTION, POWERS, AND DUTIES OP BOARD, AND

APPOINTMENT OP PROTECTORS

called The Aborigines Protection Board,' which shall consist of Board 3. For the purposes of this Act there shall be a Board, to be Appointment of

five persons to be appointed by the Governor. The Governor shall further appoint one of such persons to be Chairman of the Board, and shall also appoint a proper person to be Secretary of the Board, and the Governor shall from time to time fill up all vacancies in the Board and the office of Secretary whenever they shall occur ; and all questions as to the existence of any such vacancy shall be determined by the Governor.

50 VICTORIA;. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

'Gazette' en-	4. Every such appointment, and every appointment of a Protector of Aborigines under this Act, shall be forthwith published in the Government Gazette' ; and the production of a copy of the Gazette' containing a notice of any such appointment shall be received in all courts of justice and elsewhere as evidence of the due appointment of the person or persons therein named.
znents	"" of appoi" t"
Decisions of
Baird	5. All questions to be decided by the Board shall be decided by the majority of the votes of the members present at any meeting of the Board, and in case of an equality of votes the Chairman shall have a casting vote. In the event of the absence of the Chairman from any meeting, the members present shall elect one of their number to be chairman of such meeting.

Duty of Board	6.	It shall be the duty of the Board
(1) To apportion, distribute, and apply, as they may think fit, all moneys granted by the Legislative Council for the benefit

of Aborigines.

(2) To distribute blankets, clothes, and other relief to the

Aborigines, in the discretion of the Board.

(8) To submit to the Governor any proposals or suggestions relating to the care, custody, or education of the children of Aboriginals.

(4) To provide as far as practicable for the supply of medicines, medical attendance, rations, and shelter to sick, aged, and infirm Aboriginals.

(5) To manage and regulate the use of all Reserves set apart

for the benefit of the Aborigines.

(6) To exercise a general supervision and care over all matters affecting the interests and welfare of the Aborigines, and to protect them against ill-treatment, imposition, and fraud.

Board may make 7. The Board may from time to time make, alter, or rescind regula-

regulations and tions and orders concerning all or any of the matters mentioned in the

orders

last preceding section. All such regulations shall be submitted to the Governor for his approval, and when approved shall be laid before the Legislative Council as soon as practicable.

Estimates of	8. The Board shall prepare an annual estimate of the expenditure necessary during each year for the carrying out of the provisions of this Act and the fulfilment of the several duties hereby committed to the Board.
expenditure
Mode of dealing	9. The annual estimate shall be subject to approval or amendment by the Governor, and shall be laid before the Legislative Council at the same time and dealt with in the same manner as the General Estimates of the Revenue and Expenditure of the Colony.
with Estimates
Power of Board	10. The Board shall have power to expend all moneys that may be expenditure shall be in accordance with the said annual estimate duly approved as aforesaid ; Provided that until the first of such annual estimates is prepared, the Board may expend for the purposes of
to expend
moneys under	voted by the Legislative Council for the benefit of Aborigines, but such
their control

50 VICTORLE. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1 886

this Act such moneys as may be placed at their disposal by the

Governor.

11. Expenditure not comprised within the annual estimates of the Board, approved as aforesaid, may be incurred, subject to the same	Expenditure in
excess of
Estimates otes
regulation and control as in the case of expenditure in excess of the Annual General Estimates of the Colony.
12. The Board shall present to the Governor, not later than the 15th day of April in every year, a report of and concerning the con-	Board to present annual report to
Governor
dition and welfare of the Aborigines, and of the transactions of the Board, and of all moneys expended by the Board during the preceding year, which report shall be laid before the Legislative Council at the next sitting thereof.
13. A separate account of all moneys voted by the Legislative Council, for the benefit of the Aborigines, shall be opened and kept at	Account of
moneys fast voted te dy a
the Colonial Treasury, and an annual balance sheet, to be prepared in	expenditure
thereof to be kept
the office of the Treasury, containing details of the whole of the	at Treasury
expenditure of the preceding year, of or in connection with such vote, shall be annexed to the annual report of the Board hereinbefore referred to.
14. The accounts in connection with such vote shall be duly audited in the usual manner by the Auditor General, and all payments there-	Audit of
accounts
from shall be made in accordance with the provisions of The Audit Act, 1881.'
15. Every member of the Board shall have and may exercise all the powers by this Act vested in Protectors of Aborigines.	Powers of Pro- tectors vested in
members of Board
16. It shall be lawful for the Governor, on the recommendation of the Board, to appoint persons to be Protectors of Aborigines, and any	Appointment of
Protectors of
such appointment to annul, on the like recommendation.	Aborigines
17. It shall be the duty of every Protector of Aborigines to conform to the instructions of the Board in all matters of expenditure, and	Duty of
Protectors
generally to report to the Board on the wants and treatment of Ab-, originals and their contracts of service and employment ; and every Protector of Aborigines may institute, carry on, or defend any action, suit, prosecution, or other proceeding, and enforce any order or judg- ment of any Court for and on behalf of any Aboriginal, and either in the name of the Aboriginal or of the Protector.

PART II.—CONTRACTS

18. No contract with any Aboriginal for any service or employment contracts with

shall be of any force or validity as against such Aboriginal unless the t lingleasiss„Tad - 0

same be in writing, and the Aboriginal be of the age of fourteen years incertainma in lmer

maund certa er

and upwards at the time of the making of such contract. willed con-

(a) Nor unless such contract, at the time of the making thereof, be witnessed and truly dated by a third party, being one of the persons mentioned in the next following section, and endorsed by such witness at the same time with a certificate that the contract was fully explained by him to the Aboriginal, and that he appeared to be of the age dittoes

50 VICTORLE. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

of fourteen years and upwards, and fully to understand the same, and to be a free and voluntary agent in the matter, and under no fear, coercion, or constraint.

(b) Nor unless such contract be signed or marked by the em-

ployer or his agent, and by the Aboriginal.

(c) Nor unless it shall specify the nature of the service or employment, and the period of the service, which shall not exceed twelve months.

(d) Nor unless it shall stipulate for the supply by the employer to the Aboriginal of substantial, good, and sufficient rations, clothing, and blankets, and also medicines and medical attendance when practicable and necessary, un- less the illness of the Aboriginal be caused by his own improper act or default.

(e) Nor unless the true date of the making of such contract be

expressed therein by the attesting witness.

Penalty on Jus- Any Justice or Protector of Aborigines or other person appointed as tics or Protector, hereinafter mentioned who shall untruly date any such contract, oror other person

endorse thereon any such certificate as aforesaid contrary to the fact, shall forfeit and pay the sum of Twenty pounds, together with full costs of suit, to any person who shall first sue for the same in any court of competent jurisdiction.

be witnessed Peace, a Protector of Aborigines, or some other fit and proper person Contracts how to 19. A contract under this Act shall be witnessed by a Justice of the

appointed by the Resident Magistrate of the district wherein the contract is made, for the purpose of witnessing contracts under this Act. Provided always that the appointment of any such person by a, Resident Magistrate may at any time be revoked by such Resident Magistrate ; and every such appointment and revocation of appoint- ment shall be forthwith published by the Resident Magistrate in the

Government Gazette,' and the production of a copy of the ' Gazette' containing a notice of any such appointment or revocation shall be received in all Courts of Justice and elsewhere as evidence of the due appointment or revocation of the appointment (as the case may be) of the person therein named.

Pone of contrast 20. The written contract and certificate in the eighteenth section mentioned may be in the form given in the Schedule to this Act.

Commencement	21. The term or period of service mentioned in any contract under
of term of con-

tract

this Act shall be deemed to commence from the time of the making of

such contract.

Aboriginal under 22. The employer of any Aboriginal engaged under a contract certain liberty contract to have made under this Act shall grant to the Aboriginal at his request, some

time during the term of service, leave to absent himself from his work

or service under such contract :

(a) For a period not less than fourteen days, in case the contract be for a term of three months and not exceeding six months.

(b) For a period not less than thirty days, in case the contract

be for a term exceeding six months.

Justice on hear- 23. It shall be lawful for any Justice or Justices of the Peace, on

ing of complaint

50 VICTORDE. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

the hearing of any complaint touching the alleged breach of any con-ca ncel con-

tract under this Act, irrespective of any other decision, order, or juclg- t`nct

ment in the case, to cancel the contract.

24. It shall be lawful for any Justice or Justices, on the complaint of a Protector of Aborigines, or other person, that an Aboriginal is

Justice, whether

complaint be

made or not, may

from any cause unfit or unable to work, and for any Protector of

on certain

cancel contract

Aborigines, being himself a Justice of the Peace, on satisfying himself

grounds

(whether complaint be made or not) of such unfitness or inability to work, or of the non-fulfilment by the employer of the terms of the contract, or that the contract is not, in the opinion of such Justice or Protector, for bond fide service or employment, or that any Aboriginal under contract is ill-treated, forthwith to cancel such contract.

25. It shall be lawful for every Protector of Aborigines to enter upon the premises where any Aboriginal engaged under a contract

Protector may enter certain

premises and

under this Act may be employed or reside, or may, in the opinion of

make inquiries

such Protector, be supposed to be, and to ascertain whether the terms

of the contract are being fulfilled by the employer of such Aboriginal.

26. The employer of an Aboriginal engaged under a contract under this Act shall, whenever requested so to do by any Justice of the

Employer to pro-

duce contract ondemand

Peace or Protector of Aborigines, produce to him such contract ; and

on default thereof, without reasonable excuse in the opinion of such

Justice or Protector, such employer shall forfeit and pay a penalty not

Penalty

exceeding Ten pounds.

27. Every contract which shall be cancelled under the provisions of this Act shall be endorsed by the Justice of the Peace ordering such

Cancellation of

contract

cancellation with the word ' cancelled,' together with the date of such

cancellation and the signature of such Justice.

28. Every person who shall forge or alter, or who shall produce or make use of, knowing the same to be forged or altered, with intent to

Penalty far forging, &c.,

contract

defraud, any contract purporting to be a contract under this Act, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof shall be liable to be kept in penal servitude for any term not exceeding five years nor less than three years, or to be imprisoned with or without hard labour for any term not exceeding two years.

29. In every case of a conviction for an offence against the pro- visions of the tenth section of ' The Pearl Shell Fishery Regulation

Penalty for

breach of 10th

section of The

Act, 1873,' it shall be lawful for the convicting Justice or Justices of

Pearl ShellFishery Regula-

the Peace, in addition to or in lieu of the penalty by that section

tion Act, 1873'

imposed, as to such Justice or Justices may seem fit, to order that any

(37 vie., No. 11)

person so convicted shall be imprisoned for a period not exceeding six

calendar months, either with or without hard labour.

30. No contract with any Aboriginal for any service or employment shall be of any force or validity as against such Aboriginal, if made

No contract with

Aboriginal valid

as against him

within fourteen days after the expiration or other determination of

in certain cases

any agreement under which such Aboriginal shall have been engaged in the Pearl Shell Fishery, by virtue of The Pearl Shell Fishery Regulation Act, 1873.'

31. The provisions of this part of this Act shall not apply to any Aboriginal who shall be engaged for employment in the Pearl Shell

This Act not to apply to contract

for the Pearl

Fishery, or in any other industry which shall necessitate the conveyance

Shell Fishery

of such Aboriginal by sea to the scene of such industry.

50 VICTORI.E. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

PART III.—EMPLOYMENT OF ABORIGINAL PRISONERS

And whereas it is expedient to legalise the detention and custody of Aboriginal Native Prisoners beyond the limits of a common gaol or other usual place of detention of such prisoners, and to employ them in such suitable labour as the Governor may approve ; Be it enacted :—

Aboriginals may

by order of 32. That any Aboriginal now under sentence of imprisonment,

Governor he with or without hard labour, in any common gaol or other place of

gaol employed outside detention in this Colony, or who may hereafter be sentenced to

imprisonment therein, by the Supreme Court, or any other lawful authority, may, during the term for which he shall be sentenced to be imprisoned or any part thereof, by order of the Governor be employed under the provisions of this Act in such suitable labour in the service of the Government, as the Governor may direct, outside the limits of any gaol or usual place of detention ; Provided that no such prisoner who has not been sentenced to hard labour shall be set to any labour which is severe.

Governor may 33. It shall be lawful for the Governor to place any such prisoner

place such

prisoner under under custody of any officer Or servant of the Government, who shall

custody of	officer or servantbe responsible for the safe custody of such prisoner, and he shall
of Government thereupon, for all purposes, be deemed to be in legal custody, wherever

he may be employed or detained.

Governor may	34. The Governor may make rules, orders, and regulations for the employment and safe custody of such prisoners, and for ensuring propriety of conduct and due performance of labour by them, and such other rules, orders, and regulations as he may think necessary to carry this part of this Act into effect ; and the said rules, orders, and regula- tions, and any order made under Section 32, may alter, vary, and revoke as occasion may or shall require.
make rules and
regulations
Sheriff, &e.,
relieved from	Provided always, and be it enacted, that the Sheriff, and other persons having the charge of any gaol or other place of detention, and wherein such offenders may be sentenced to imprisonment, shall not be responsible for the safe custody of any such prisoner during the time that he may be removed, under order as aforesaid, from or out of such gaol or other place.
responsibility

Justices may	35. Any Justice of the Peace may at all times visit any such
visit and examine	.

prisoners prisoner and interrogate him, and report to the Governor, through the

Colonial Secretary, any breach or violation of any rules, orders, or regulations made under the authority of this Part of this Act.

PART Dr.—APPRENTICES

Resident Magis-	36. It shall be lawful for any Resident Magistrate, acting under
trate may bind

any halt-caste or	the instructions of the Board, to bind by indenture and put out any
other Aboriginal
child as an	half-caste or other Aboriginal child, having attained a suitable age, as
apprentice	an apprentice, until he shall attain the age of twenty-one years, to any master or mistress willing to receive such child in any suitable trade, business, or employment whatsoever, and every such binding shall be effectual in law, to all intents and purposes, as if the child had been of full age, and had bound himself to be such apprentice : Provided

50 VICTORIE. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

that such Resident Magistrate, previously to executing such indenture, shall inform himself, as fully as he can, of the child's age, which age shall be inserted in such indenture, and shall thereupon, for the pur- poses of this provision, be taken to be the child's true age without further proof : Provided also, that such Magistrate shall see that in the indenture due and reasonable provision is made for the main- tenance, clothing, and proper and humane treatment of any such apprentice.

37. It shall be lawful for any Justice, upon complaint by any such Potter of Tosticos

master or mistress, or by any such apprentice, or by any Protector of ab,raeppng,att: ill-usage by the master or mistress on the other, to issue a summons or warrant to bring the party complained of before any two Justices, who may investigate the matter, and either dismiss such complaint or punish the party complained of, if the mistress, by fine not exceeding Ten pounds ; if the master, by fine not exceeding Ten pounds or imprisonment ; if the apprentice, by imprisonment, not exceeding in either case one month ; and if it shall appear to such Justices that there is or has been ill-usage by the master or mistress, or incorrigible misconduct in the apprentice, it shall be lawful for such Justices to make an order cancelling and annulling the indenture.

38. In the event of the death of any such master or mistress, his Assignment or

or her executor or administrator may, with the approval of the Board, frnt=ta

assign any such indenture for the residue of the term then unexpired

therein, and any two Justices may, in case of such death, or upon the application of the master or mistress, with the consent of the Board, in case it shall appear to be for the benefit of the apprentice so to do, assign any such indenture to any other person, or may absolutely cancel the indenture, in case there shall be no such executor or administrator : Provided that in every such case of assignment, the assignee shall be as much bound to perform the several covenants of the indenture as if he or she had been the master or mistress originally named therein.

39. It shall be lawful for any Justice of the Peace or for any Justice (trills

Protector of Aborigines to visit every such apprentice, and to enter L'e2,10°,°,,P utiore-a

the dwelling-house, or premises, where he may be employed or reside, to vi tit g

and ascertain whether the terms of the said indenture have been

fulfilled,

PART V.—MzscELLAwEous

40. All blankets, bedding, clothing, and other articles issued or Prohibition

distributed to the Aboriginals by, or by the direction of the Board, =Val

shall be considered on loan only, and shall remain the property of u?Ryd to

Her Majesty ; and it shall not be lawful for the Aboriginals receiving bimgmais

such bedding, clothing, or other articles, to sell or otherwise dispose of

the same, without the sanction of a Justice of the Peace or Protector.

41. If any person shall, without such sanction, take whether by rany

purchase or otherwise, any goods or chattels issued or distributed to any Aboriginal by, or by the direction of the said Board, every such person shall, on conviction, be liable to a penalty not exceeding Twenty

50 V1CTORI2E. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

pounds, or in default to be imprisoned for any term not less than one

month nor more than three months.

Penalty on per-

son obstructing

42. If any person shall violate the provisions of any regulations made under or in pursuance of this Act, or shall obstruct the Board or any member thereof, or any Justice of the Peace, or Protector of Aborigines, in the execution of his duty under this Act or the said regulations, every such person shall on conviction forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding Twenty pounds.

execution of Act

Justice may

order Aboriginals

43. It shall be lawful for any Justice of the Peace to order any Aboriginal found loitering in any city or town of the Colony, or being therein, and not, in the judgment of such Justice, decently clothed from neck to knee, forthwith to leave such city or town ; and any Aboriginal neglecting or refusing to obey such order shall be deemed guilty of an offence, and may be apprehended without warrant, and detained in custody, and on conviction of such offence before any one or more Justices in Petty Sessions shall be liable to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one month.

out of town

Punishment of

Aboriginals

under Masters

andServautsActs

Summons or

warrant not to

be served on

Aboriginal be-

• 44. [Repealed by 55 Vic., No. 25.]

yond certain die-

tance, except when specially directed by Resi-

dent Magistrate

Who to be	45. Every Aboriginal Native of Australia, and every Aboriginal half-caste or child of a half-caste, such half-caste or child habitually associating and living with Aboriginals, shall be deemed to be an Aboriginal within the -meaning of this Act, and at the hearing of any case the Justice or Justices adjudicating may, in the absence of other sufficient evidence, decide on his or their own view and judgment whether any person with reference to whom any proceedings shal have been taken under this Act is or is not an Aboriginal.
deemed an
Aboriginal
Penalties—how
enforced	46. All penalties imposed by this Act may be enforced by summary proceedings before any Justice or Justices of the Peace in Petty Sessions.

Sections of 47. Sections A, C, F, G, and H of The Shortening Ordinance,	Shortening Ordi- 1853,' shall be incorporated with, and taken to form part of this Act,
110. /1 00 inc- or
porated to all intents and purposes, and in as full and ample a manner as if the said sections had been introduced and fully set forth in this Act.

F. NAPIER BROOME,

GOVERNOR.

SCHEDULE

This Agreement, made the day , 18 , betweeen A.B

(name of employer), of , and C. (using the native name of the Abori-

ginal), an Aboriginal Native, witnesseth :—

1. The said C. agrees to serve A.B. as (here state the capacity in which the

Aboriginal is to serve).

50 VIOTORDE. No. 25

The Aborigines Protection Act, 1886

2. Such service to last until

3. C. is to begin work on the day of

4.  A.B. is to supply C. during the said service with medicines and medical attendance when practicable and necessary, unless the illness of C. be caused by his own improper act or default.

5. A.B. is to give C. during the said service lbs. of flour, of tea, &c., per day, and at the commencement of the service is to give him one blanket, one pair of trousers, ds.c., &c.

6. Before or at the termination of such service A.B. is to give C., tkc., &c.

(Signed) LB.,

C. (his mark).

Signed in the presence of me,

A Justice of the Peace, or, Protector of Aborigines, or, person appointed under Section 19.

Form of Endorsement

I, B.F., of (a Justice of the Peace, or, Protector of Aborigines, or, person appointed under Section 19) do hereby certify that the within Agree- ment was fully explained by me to C. before he executed the same, and that he appears to be of the age of fourteen years and upwards, and fully to understand the said Agreement, and to be a free and voluntary agent in the matter, and under no fear, coercion, or constraint. That the said Agreement was made on the day of the date thereof.

(Signed) B.F.,

3.1s.,

or, Protector,

or, person appointed under Section 19.

Dated the day of 188 .