Early History

Superintendent’s Report for year ended June 1891.
It has not been marked by glowing success, but steady progress has been made.

General Health good -- no serious outbreaks of sickness.

Improvements to property - placing of porch to most cottages. Additions to church building - including reading room (also used as a classroom), a room on opposite side of church - used as study office and dispensary. The late Mr. F. Taplin started the scheme by which the larger portion of funds were raised - the balance by the AFA …

About 50 yards from the present school buildings and nearer the lake at one time stood a fine sheoak tree, the traditional site of the first school room (a tent). The tree having died and fallen was again erected by natives and a circular block of masonry built to support it.

Mr Gregory’s health and competence seems to have deteriorated rapidly from 1891 and Blackwell was thoroughly dissatisfied with his performance by the end of 1892. He seems to have been past middle age, although he still had three young children. At the end of 1891, Blackwell recommended a salary increase, but expressed his misgivings:

2 December 1891

Dalton

Re application of Mr. C.W. Gregory for an increase in salary - the application is reasonable as the work has increased. There is some doubt if Mr. Gregory will be able to continue very long. At times lack of management and discipline is noticeable and it is likely to interfere with the success of the work. I suggest a deputation to visit the school before the holidays beginning December 25th.

The matter is delicate to handle but very important to the general success.

At the end of 1891, Mr Stanton, Chief Inspector of Schools, examined the children and Mr Gregory’s running of the school and appears to have been quite satisfied with the standard and quality of education that the children were receiving.

6 April 1892 E. Hamilton, Protector of Aborigines Aboriginal John Finke wishes me to ask you to procure a small Harmonium. As he has already drawn some of his money, it would be as well to let him have his wish. Can you get one with 2 pedals or foot-boards, compass four and a half or five octaves in plain oak case for say, £ 7, [$ 400] it would do. Blackwell

In early 1892, dissatisfaction with Blackwell, perhaps with much else to do with the Mission, was becoming evident: reports reached the AFA that the people were fed up with Blackwell’s seeming lack of concern for some of their major problems: he did not visit the sick or attend to their needs; he had not attempted to revive the system of native counsellors which George Taplin had introduced, but which had lapsed under his son. It was clear, as the AFA minutes record, that David Blackwell did not have ‘the respect and confidence of the men.’ Blackwell’s wife had just had a baby, but he sent in his resignation in late April, 1892:

27 April 1892

Dalton

Re yours of 21st. I feel bound in the light of recent events to come to the conclusion that it is almost hopeless to overcome the settled determination on the part of the greater number of the natives to oppose my remaining here.

It is with deep regret that I feel constrained to place my resignation in your hands, and in doing this my only wish is for the good of the work. I may say that some of the men say they will take the matter to the Government if I remain here against their wish. Take that for what it is worth.

but on consideration, the AFA requested him to withdraw it and weather out the crisis. However, there is no record that he attempted to re-constitute the counsellors’ system before his untimely death in January 1893.