VPRS 2895 Chief Protector Of Aborigines' Outward Letter Book (Refer to Microfilm Copy, VPRS 4467)

Full description

This series consists of an Outward Letter Book created by the Chief Protector of Aborigines (VA 512), and, subsequently, by the Guardian of Aborigines (VA 513). The Outward Letter Book contains a copy of the 1848 Chief Protector's Annual Report as well as copies of outwards correspondence from the Chief Protector of Aborigines.

The report covers the Mount Rouse, Goulbourn, Loddon, and Merri Creek Aboriginal Stations, as well as various missions and Native Police. Information for each Protectorate District (i.e. North Eastern, North Western, Western and Westernport) is recorded on the following subjects: personnel, medical, agriculture, stock, building and improvements, conduct of aborigines, births and deaths, expenditures, religion, education, native police and crime. Appendix to the Report includes information such as a list of Births and Deaths at specific Stations (which provides an indication of the name, tribe, age, marital status and date), numbers of days a specific individual was present or absent from a Station, and other statistical information.

Correspondence covers various aspects of business relating to the office of Chief Protector of Aborigines, such as those mentioned in the Annual Report. The letters from the 1850 time period relate to the final business of the Chief Protector's Department, carried over from its official abolishment in December of 1849.

The volume containing this series was also used as a stores requisition register by the General Branch of an unknown department in the mid 1850s. The reuse of volumes for purposes other than they were originally created for occurred frequently in Government as a cost-cutting measure.

Annual Reports sent from Robinson to the Superintendent of Port Phillip District can also be located in VPRS 10 Registered Inward Correspondence to the Superintendent of Port Phillip District relating to Aboriginal Affairs, VPRS 19 Inward Registered Correspondence and VPRS 4399 Duplicate Annual Reports of the Chief Protector of Aborigines.