AU WA A1843 - ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE ALLEGED KILLING AND BURNING OF BODIES OF ABORIGINES IN EAST KIMBERLEY AND POLICE METHODS WHEN EFFECTING ARRESTS

Identity area

Type of entity

Corporate body

Legal Status Text

Royal Commission

Authorized form of name

ROYAL COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO THE ALLEGED KILLING AND BURNING OF BODIES OF ABORIGINES IN EAST KIMBERLEY AND POLICE METHODS WHEN EFFECTING ARRESTS

Other form(s) of name

Description identifier

AU WA A1843

Description area

Dates of existence

1927-01-26 - 1927-05-21

History

The terms of reference of this Royal Commission were to investigate:

1) The circumstances of the arrest, in June 1926, of the Aboriginal Lumbia on a charge of the wilful murder of Frederick William Hay;

2) The facts relating to the alleged killing and burning of the bodies of Aborigines, in or about June 1926, at Gotegote-merrie and Mowerie, in the Forrest River district, by native trackers and police boys when such Aborigines were about to be arrested by or while in the custody of Police Constables Regan and St. Jack, assisted by Special Constables O'Leary and Jolly;

3) The circumstances of the alleged killing of four Aborigines and the burning of their bodies at or near a place called Dala while in the custody of Police Constables Regan and St. Jack;

4) The disappearance of the Aboriginal Tommy, who was in the employment of Leopold Overhen and who, it is alleged, could give material evidence in this inquiry; and

5) The employment by the police of armed Aboriginal trackers and police boys in executing warrants for the arrest of Aborigines, such trackers and police boys not being, it is alleged, under the efficient and proper control of responsible officers.

George Tuthill Wood was appointed as Royal Commissioner.

Places

Functions, occupations and activities

Mandates/sources of authority

Internal structures/genealogy

General context

Relationships area

Related function

Related unit of description

Series S4614 - ROYAL COMMISSION REPORT, INCLUDING NOTES OF EVIDENCE

Role

Creation

Description of relationship

Dates of relationship

1927-02-25 - 1927-05-12

Control area

Rules and/or conventions used

Status

Final

Level of detail

Dates of creation, revision and deletion

Sources

Archivist's notes