The Aborigines Act 1911 (SA)
ANNO SECUNDO
GEORGII V REGIS.
A.D. 1911.
No. 1048. An Act to make provision for the better Protection and Control of the Aboriginal and Half-caste In- habitants of the State of South Australia.
[Assented to, December 7 t 4 1911.1 E it Enacted by the Governor of the State of South Australia,
follows: | B |
reformatory, orphanage, school, home, reserve, or other insti- tution for the benefit, care, or protection of the aboriginal or half-caste inhabitants of the State: | " |
1844, being an Ordinance to pro- |
vide for the protection, maintenance, and up-bringing of orphans and other destitute children of the aborigines, is hereby repealed: Provided that such repeal shall not alter the effect of the doing or omission of any thing before the passing of this Act, and shitll not affect any right granted, obligation imposed, liability incurred, or any offence committed by, under, or against the said Ordinance, or any proceedings commenced before or after the passing of this Act with respect to any of such matters or things.
3. In this Act, unless inconsistent with the context or subject Definitions.
matter-
" Aboriginal institution " means and includes any mission station, w.A., |
2" GEORGII V, No. 1048.
The Aborigines Act.-191 1. "Chief Protector" means the Chief Protector of Aboriginals
continued in office or appointed under this Act:
Contagious disease " means venereal disease, including gonor-
rhoea:
Department " means the Aboriginals Department:
" District " means a district declared under this i4ct:
Half-caste" means any person who is the offspring of an aboriginal mother and other than an aboriginal father: Provided that the term "half-caste," wherever it occurs in this Act, except in section
4, does not, unless the context requires such a construction, include a half.caste who, under the provisions of that section, is deemed to be an aboriginal:" Justice " means Justice of the Peace for the State:
" Lock-hospital " means a hospital or other institution, or the part
of a hospital or other institution, declared a lock-hospital for
the pnrposes of this
Act :"Minister" means the Minister of the Crown to whom the administration of this Act fbr the time being is committed
by the Governor:
Police officer" means any member of the Police Force:
Prescribed " means prescribed by this Act or regulation:
Proclamation " means Proclamation published in the
Govern-
mcnt Gazette :" Protector " means a Protector of Aboriginals appointed under
this Act, and includes the Chief Protector:
Reserve" means a reserve for aboriginals declared under this
Act:
Regulatiou" means a regulation for the time being in force | under this Act: |
Superintendent " means a Superintendent appointed under this
Act for a reserve:
This Act " includes regulations.
( a ) An aboriginal native of Australia or of any of the islandsadjacent or belonging thereto; or
( b ) A half-caste who lives with such an aboriginal nativeas wife or husband; or
(c) A half-caste who, otherwise than as wife or husband
of such an aboriginal native, habitually lives or associates
with such aboriginal natives; or
(4
A
2b GEORGII V, No.1048.
- |
( d ) A half-caste child whose age does not apparently exceedsixteen years
shall be deemed to be an aboriginal within the meaning of this Act and of every Act passed before or after this Act, unless a contrary
in tention | appears. |
(2) I n this section the term "half-caste" includes any person
either of whose parents is or was an aboriginal, and any child of
any such person.
Administration. 5, There shall be a department under the Minister, to be called
DepBTtrnent.
the Aboriginals Department, which shall be charged with the duty of | w.A., |
controlling and promoting the welfare of the aboriginals. |
6, The Treasurer of the State shall, in every year, place at theFundsto be provided
disposal of the Department such sums as are provided by Parlia- | |
ment, to be applied to the purposes of the Department. |
7. | I t shall be the duty of the Department- |
( l) To apportion, distribute, and apply, as seems most fit, under the direction of the Minister, the moneys at the disposal of the Department: | |
(4)
'10 provide, as far as practicable, for the supply of food,
medical attendance, medicines, and shelter for the sick,
aged, and infirm aboriginals:
(5) To provide, when possible, for the custody, maintenance and education of the children of aboriginals:
(6) To manage and regulate the use of all reserves for aborigi-
nals:
(7) To exercise a general supervision and care over all matters affecting the welfare of the aboriginals, and to protect
them against injustice, imposition, and fraud. | . |
8. (1) The Protector of Aborigines in office at the time of the
Chief Protectors. passing of this Act is hereby continued in office under the title of
Ibid., S- 7. " Chief Protector of Aboriginals," and the Governor may from time
to time ap~o in t such person as he deems fit to be Chief Protector
of Aboriginals. | (2) The |
2' GEORGIIV, No.1048.
Th Aborigines Act.-191 1.
The Chief Protector shall, under the Minister, be responsible for | ||
the administration of the Department and the execution of this Act. |
aboriginal iyld every half-caste child, notwithstanding that any such child has a parent or other relative living, until such child attains the age of twenty-one years, except whilst such child is a State child |
within the meaning of | The State Children Act, 1895," or any Act |
amending or substituted for that Act.
(2) Every Protector shall, within his district, be the local guardian of every such child within his district.
(3) Such local guardian shall have and exercise the powers and duties prescribed.
the State to be a district for the |
purposes of | this Act, and shall by such Proclamation assign |
a name to such district:
any district: | |
(c) Abolish any district. |
Removal o f Aboriginals.
12. (1) Any person who, without the authorityin writing of a Pro- |
tector, removes or causes to be removed any aboriginal, or any female | |
half-caste, or any half-caste child under the age of sixteen years from | |
one district to mother, or to any place beyond the State, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. | |
(2) This section shall not apply to the removal by any person of any child, of whatever age, of such person. | |
desiring the removal shall enter into a recognizance, with such surety | |
(2) Every such recognizance shall be in the prescribed form, and shall be taken in duplicate by a. Protector or police officer, who shall forthwith forward one part to the Chief Protector. |
.
(3) The
I |
1 The Aborigines Act.--1911.
(3) The Protector may dispense with such recognizance, in his
discretion, in any particular case:
Provided that in such an event the circumstances be reported to the
Chief Protector. | . |
Reserves and Insiitutions.
14, The Governor may, on a resolution of both Hotises of?;;zap
Parliament, by Proclamation- |
(a) Declare any Crown lands to be a reserve for aboriginals:
any reserve: | |
to be the Superintendent of a reserve. |
both Houses of |
Parliament, grant | leases of | any Crown lands to any mission or |
other aboriginal institution for any term not exceeding twenty-one
8. 89. years, at such rent and on such terms as he thinks fit, in blocks
not exceeding in any case one thousand square miles.
(2) Every such lease may grant a right of renewal, provided i t can be shown to the satisfaction of the Minister that the lands therein described are required for and applied to the use and entirely for the benefit of aboriginals or half-castes, or both.
caste to be kept within the boundaries of any reserve or aboriginal | |
institution, or to be removed to and kept within the boundaries of any reserve or aboriginal institution, or to be removed from one reserve or aboriginal instit.ution to another reserve or aboriginal institution, and to be kept therein. |
(3) Any aboriginal or half-caste who refuses to be so removed,or resists such removal, or who refuses to remain within or attempts
to depart from any reserve or institution to which he has been so
removed, or within which he is being kept as aforesaid, shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act.
18, The Minister may on the recommendation of the ChiefMinister msg allot or Protector and Surveyor-General allot to any aboriginal in a block
purchase land. not exceeding one hundred and sixty acres any Crown lands avail-
able for settlement, or may, on such recommendation as aforesaid,
purchase land for occupation by aboriginals, and allot the
same insuch blocks as aforesaid, and any such allotment shall be
upon suchterms and subject to
such conditions as may be prescribed by regu-
lation. |
2"EORGII |
- |
Exemptions from
(a) Who is lawfully employed by any person, or | |
question, or
('C) Who is a female lawfully married to and residing with ahusband who is not himself an aboriginal, or
(d) For whom, in the opinion of the Chief Protector, satis-
factory provision is otherwise made,
shall be exempt from the provisions of section 17.
reserve or inetitution.
Ibid., ss. 14and 15. enters or remains or is within the boundaries of a reserve oraboriginal institution, unless he is-
I.
An aboriginal, or
11. The Minister, or
111. A Protector, or Superintendent, or Police Officer, or
IV. A person authorised in that behalf by the Minister or bya Protector, or by the Superintendent of the reserve or
institution in question, or
v.
A person authorised in that behalf by or under the regula-tions,
shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Unlawfully removing
entices, or persuades an aboriginal to remove, from a reserve or |
aboriginal institution, unless such person is- |
I. The Minister, or
11. A Protector, or
1x1. The Superintendent of such reserve or institution, or
IV. A person authorised in that behalf by the Minister or by a Protector or by the Superintendent of the reserve or institution in question, or
v. A person authorised in that behalf by or under the regula-tions,
shall be guilty of | an offence against this Act. |
Onus of proof of
23. (1) Notwithstanding
2" GEORGII V, No.1048.
The Aborigines Act.-191 1.
1893,'' and '' The Mining on Private Property Act, 1909," or
g., ,,lsol, 16. either of the said Acts, or any Act amending or substituted for
No, b8, of either of the said Acts, no holder of a miner's right shall be entitled
No. 992 of 1909. to enter, or remain, or be within the limits of any reserve for
aboriginals except under the written permit of a Protector.
(2) In any case where such permit is refused or withdrawn the holder of the miner's right shall have the right to appeal to the Minister, who may confirm or reverse the decision of the Protector.
(3) Any such holder who, without such permit, the proof of
which shall lie upon him, is found on any such reserve shall be
guilty of an offence against this Act.
Hospital Accommodation.
24, The Governor may establish and maintain hospitals in suchHospitals may be
places as he deems proper for the purpose of treating sick, diseased, | |
and infirm aboriginals and half-castes, and may appropriate any parts of any public hospitals for the said purpose, and may cause such aboriginals and half-castes to be treated therein. |
Provisions for Treating Contagious Diseases.
25. (1) The Governor may, by proclamation, declare that anyProclamation of public hospital or other institution, or any part of any public hos-
10ck~hOs~i"B. pital or other institution, shall be a lock-hospital for the purposes of
this Act.
(2) The Governor may, in like manner, vary any proclamation made under subsection (1) of this section, or close any lock-hospital; and may direct the removal of the patients in any lock-hospital so closed to any other lock-hospital, and the Governor's direction shall
i | be sufficient authority for the removal of the patients as directed. | |
| ||
any other Act, the surgeon in charge thereof under that Act shall also be the surgeon in charge thereof under this Act, unless some other person is appointed to that office under this |
1 | ||||
i |
authorise any legally qualified medical practitioner therein named
&ongna18. 1 to medically examine any aboriginal or half-caste.
I
(2) Such writing shall be sufficient authority to the practitioner to enter any premises where such aboriginal or half-caste is, or is suspected to be, and to medically examine such aboriginal or half- caste in such manner as the practitioner deems necessary.
(3) If the practitioner on such examination finds that the aboriginal or half-caste is suffering from a contagious disease he may, by order signed by him, direct that such aboriginal or half-caste be removed to and detained in a lock-hospital until discharged therefrom as hereinafter provided. (4) Such1
GEORGII V, No. 1048. | ||
(4) Such order concerning any aboriginal or half-caste shall be sufficient authority for any Protector or any police officer to take and remove such aboriginal or half-caste to any lock-hospital, and to the surgeon thereof to receive, detain, and treat such aboriginal or half-caste therein until discharged as hereinafter provided.(5) I t shall be the duty of the surgeon in charge of a lock-hospital, as soon as any aboriginal or half-caste detained therein under this section is free from contagious disease, to report that fact to the Chief Protector, who may thereupon, by writing signed by him, dis- charge such aboriginal or half-caste from the lock-hospital.
(6)
Any aboriginal or half-cagte who refuses to be examined or to be taken or removed as aforesaid, or to enter, remain, or be treated in any lock-hospital after order made as aforesaid, or attempts to depart from any lock -hospital until discharged as afore- said, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Employment ofAboriginals.
Inspection by Pro-
have access to any aboriginal or half-caste employed by such person, | |
caste to leave his or her lawful employment shall be guilty of an offence against this Act. |
Death in employment. 29, If an aboriginal or half-caste dies whilst in the service of anyIbid., a. 32, altered. person, such person shall forthwith, after the death, or, if thedeceased was employed on any vessel or boat, forthwith after the arrival of such vessel or boat at any port in the State, transmit to the nearest Protector, if practicable, or, if not, then to the Chief
and sllall forward to such Protector or to the Chief Protector any | Protector, notice of the death in writing signed by such person; |
wages due to the deceased, and auy moneys in the possession of the deceased at the time of his death. |
Blankets, &., supplied
to Abor&jnals.
Blankets, & c, issued
property issued by or under the direction of the Department to any | |
aboriginal or aboriginals shall be and remain the property of His | |
Majesty. | |
Aboriginal
2" GEORGIIV, No.1048.
The Aborigiw Act.-191 1.
Aboriginal Camps and Prohibited Areas.
(1) If | at any time he thinks it necessary so to do, a Protector |
may order and cause any aboriginals or half-castes who are camped, | or are about to camp, within the limits of or near any municipality, |
town, or township, to remove their camp or proposed camp to such distance from such municipality, town, or township as he directs; and all police officers shall assist the Protector in carrying out the provisions of this section. | |
32. (1) Any Justice or police officer may order any aboriginal orLoitering intown-
half-caste found loitering in any municipality, town, or township, or |
being therein and not decently clothe& forthwith to leave such |
municipality, town, or township. |
33, (1) The Governor may, bp Proclamation, whenever in theProhibited areas. interest of aboriginals he thinks fit, declare any municipality,
Ibid.,*. 39. town, township, or other place to be an area in which it shall not
be lawful for aboriginals or half-castes, not in lawful employment,
to be or remain.
(2) Every aboriginal or half-caste who, after warning, given in writing or verbally, enters or is found within such area without the permission in.writing of a Protector or police officer shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Female Aboriginals in Male Attire.
dressed in male attire and in the company of any male person other |
than an aboriginal or half-caste, she and the person in whose corn- |
pany she is so found shall each be guilty of | an offence against this |
Act. |
Curatorship of Aboriginals' Estates.
35. (1) The Chief Protector may undertake the general care,Chief Protector.
protection, and management of the property of any aboriginal or | |
half-caste, and may- |
I. Take possession of, retain, sell, or dispose of any such property, whether real or personal, and on any sale or disposition as aforesaid
a valid title to the property shall pase:
11. In hisown name sue for, recover, or receive any money orother property due or belonging to or held in trust for the
benefit of a n i aboriginal or half-caste, or damages for conversion of' or injury to any such property: |
rrr. Exercise, in the name ofany aboriginal or half-cast3, any power
which the aboriginal or half-caste might exercise forhis own benefit:
IV. In
B-1048
2 O GEORGII V, No. 1048.
- |
The Aborigines Act.-191 1. [v. In the name and on behalf of an aboriginal or half-caste, appoint any person to act as attorney or agent for any purpose connected with the property ot' such aboriginal or half-caste:
Provided that the powers conferred by this section shall not be exercised without the consent of the aboriginal or half-caste, except
so far as may be necessary to provide for the due preservation of | such |
property. |
(2) The Chief Protector shall keep proper records and accouuts of all moneys and other property, and the proceeds thereof, received or dealt with by him under the provisions of this section; and such accounts shall be audited by the Commissioner of Audit, who shall have and exercise, in respect of such records, accounts, moneys, and other property, and the persons dealing therewith, the same powers as are vested in the said Commissioner in respect of the public
revenue by " The Audit Act,, 1882," and any Act amending or substituted for that Act. |
Maintertnnce qf' Half-caste Children.
Contribution to
the cost of the Government of the St%te, a Protector may apply to a Justice for a summons to be served on the alleged father of such child to show cause why he should not contribute towards the support of such child. | ||
ceed to hear the matter of the complaint, and, if the paternity of the defendant and his ability to contribute to the support of the | ||
child are proved to the satisfaction of the Justices, they | ||
| ||
unless the evidence of the mother be corroborated in some material particnlar. | ||
(S) Any two Justices, on the complaint of any such father or of a Protector, while the first or any subsequent order continues in force, may make further inquiry into such father's ability to con- tribute as aforesaid, and may remit or lessen the amount of the weekly payment that has been adjudged by the last preceding order, or may increase the same if they see cause to do so, but so that the amount shall not in any case exceed the weekly sum of Ten Shillings. | ||
(4) Whenever, after the making of such order as aforesaid, it is made to appear to any Justice, by a complaint in writing and upon oath, that any weekly sum or sums to be paid in pursuance of such ord&has or have n i t been paid. or that the father named in such order is about |
of
The Aborigines Act.-191 1. of residence, without having first notified his intention to the Pro- tector for the district in which such usual place of residence is situated, or to the Chief Protector, or without having made due provision for the payment of such weekly sums, such Justice may, by warrant under his hand, cause such father to be brought before him or some other Justice to answer the complaint.
( 5 ) On the return of such warrant the Justice shall proceed toEnforcement hear the matter of the complaint, and, if the same is to his satisfac-
Order- tion shown to be true, shall proceed to levy or enforce payment of
the weekly sums then due bv distress or imprisonment for any
term not exceeding three months, and may also order such father to
make such provision for the payment of all such weekly sums there-
after to become due as the Justice deems sufficient.
father leaves. or attempts to leave the State, or removes, or | (6) If after such order to make provision has been made such |
attempts to remove, from his usual place of residence, without having made such provision, he s h d be guilty of an offence against this Act.
towards the support of a half-caste child shall be paid and expended | (7) All contributions and enforced payments under this ccection |
as the Treasurer of the State directs.
Accounts o f Department.
37. (1) The Minister shall cause accounts to be kept of all |
moneys received and expended by, and all assets and liabilities of
audit. the Department, and such other accounts and records (if any) as are
prescribed.
(2) The accounts of the Department shall once a t least in every
year, and also whenever the Governor directs, be audited by the
Commissioner of Audit.
The Audit |
Act,
1882," and any Act for the time being in force relating to the audit of public accounts.
Regulations.
38. (1) The Governor may make regulations, not inconsistent~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ a y m a k c
with this Act, prescribing all matters and things which by this Act | ||
are contemplated, required, or permitted to be prescribed, or which | ||
may be necessary or convenient to be prescribed for the effectual carrying out of this Act, including regulations for the following, | ||
amongst other purposes: - |
( a ) Prescribing the duties of Protectors and Superintendents, and any other persons appointed or employed under this Act:
( b ) Providing for the care, custody, and education of the chil-dren of aboriginals and half-castes:
(c) Fnabling
- |
(C) Enabling any aboriginal or half-caste child to be sent to
and detained in an aboriginal institution or industrial
school:
aboriginals or half- |
castes in aboriginal institutions and for the supervision
of such institutions:
( e ) Prescribing the conditions on which aboriginal or half-castechildren may be apprenticed to or placed in service with
suitable people:
(f) | Prohibiting the apprenticing or placing in service of aboriginal or half-caste children to or with persons of specified trades, or businesses, or races: |
(' g) Prescribing the conditions on which any aboriginal or half- caste prisoner may be placed under the custody of any officer or servant of the State, and for the employment of aboriginal or half-caste prisoners undergoing sentences of imprisonment, with or without hard labor:
( h ) Providing for the control of aboriginals and half-castes residing upon a reserve, and for apportioning amongst them, or for their benefit, the net produce of their labor:(i) For the maintenance of discipline and good order upon a
reserve:
( j ) Authorising entry upon a reserve by specified persons or classes of persons for specified objects, and the conditions under which such persons may enter or remain on a reserve, and providing for the revocation of such authority in any cases:(k) For the control of the receipt and payment of money, the
keeping of accounts and records, expenditure of money,
and all matters pertaining to the accounts and records |
of the Department: |
all or any of the |
powers, duties, and functions of the Department:
(m,) Imposing, and authorising a Protector to inflict, summary
punishment by way of imprisonment, not exceeding fourteen days, upon aboriginals and half-castes living upon a reserve or within the district under his charge, who, in the judgment of such Protector, are guilty of any crime, serious misconduct, neglect of duty, gross insubordinat,ion, or wilful breach of any regulation.
(2) Regulations so made may impoee penalties for the breach of the same or other regulations, not exceeding for any one offence the sum of Twenty-five Pounds, or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for any term not exceeding three months.
GEORGII |
I | f |
91 1. --
(l) All regulations so made shall- | |
I | 39. |
(a) Be published in the
Government Gnzette ;
I | (6) Take effect from the date of such publication, or from a |
later date specified therein; and
(c) Be laid before both Houses of Parliament within fourteen days after publication, if Parliament is in Session, and if not, then within fourteen days after the commencement
of the next Session of Parliament. |
(2) If either House of Parliament passes a resolution disallowingDisallowance by
! | any such regulation, of | which resolution notice has been given a t |
any time within fourteen sitting days of such House after such regillation has been laid before it, such regulation shall thereupon cease to have effect, but without affecting the validity or curing the invalidity of anything done, or of the omission of anything, in the meantime.
This subsection shall apply not withstanding that the said fourteen sitting days, or aome of them, do not occur in the same Session of Parliament as that in which the regulation is laid before such House.
Obstructing Oficers.
40. Any person who obstructs or hinders any Protector, Superin-Obstructing oi8cerr. tendent, police officer, medical practitioner, surgeon in charge of a lock-hospital, or other person in the exercise or execution of any power or duty under this Act, or in carrying out any provision of this Act, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act.
Legal Proceedings and Penalties.
warrant any person whom he has just cause to suspect of having |
committed or being about to commit any offence against this Act. | |||
!
42. I t shall not be obligatory upon any police officer to serve anyservice of summons,
summons, or to execute | arrest, against an aboriginal |
or half-caste in respect of any offence against this Act beyond a
Ibid., a. b7., distance of fifty miles from the place where such summons or war- rant was issued, except when specially so directed by a Special Magistrate.
43. At the hearing of any proceedings in respect of an offence~; ~; ~ ~ ~ n ~ ~
against this Act the Magistrate or Justices may permit any person | |
to address him or them, and examine and cross examine witnesses on behalf of any aboriginal or half-caste. |
#. |
gation in the information that any person named or referred to
aboriginal.
therein is an aboriginal or half-caste, or is of or under an age | |
specified therein, or the reference in the information to such person |
as
GEORGII | ||
as an aboriginal or half-caste, or as being of or under an age specified therein, shall be sufficient evidence of the truth of such allegation or reference, unless the contrary is shown to the satis- faction of the Magistrate, Justice, or Justices.
or otherwise, if the Court, Judge, Coroner, Magistrate, Justice, or | |
Justices do not consider that there is sufficient evidence to determine | |
the question whether a person concerned in or in any way connected with the proceedings or inquiry is or is not an aboriginal or a half- caste, or whether, being or being determined to be an aboriginal or half-caste, such person is or is not of or under a specified age, such Court, Judge, Coroner, Magistrate, Justice, or Justices, having seen such person, may determine the question according to his or their own opinion. |
this Act, whether by act or omission, shall be guilty of an offence against this Act, and any person convicted of an offence against this Act shall, except in cases where a different penalty is specifically provided, be liable to a penalty not exceeding Fifty Pounds, or to imprisonment with or without hard labor for any period not exceed- ing six months. | |
|
Justice or Justices with respect to any conviction under this Act, or any order dismissing any information for an offence against this Act, or any other order made on any such information.
Full Jurisdiction |
nearest to the place where the conviction or order was made, or to
the Local Court of Adelaide in its Full Jurisdiction.
(3) Such appeal shall be regulated by the said Ordinance No. 6 of
1850 and The Justices Procedure Amendment Act,1883-4," or any Act for the time being in force regulating appeals to Local Courts: Provided that the Court on such appeal may make any order as to costs which it thinks fit, althoughsuch costs exceed Ten Pounds,49.
(1) The
GEORGII V, No. |
49. (1) The Local Court may state a special case for the |
opinion of the Supreme Court. | |
paid out of moneys provided by Parliament for the purposes of this
parliament, Act.
In the name and on behalf of His Majesty, I hereby assent to
this Bill.
DAY H. BOSANQUET, Governor.
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