["The Kimberley Police District", The Western Mail (Perth, WA), Saturday 20 September 1902, page 24]
...
Pearling.--The pearling industry, with Broome as its centre, is also making great progress, there being at present 14 schooners and 181 luggers employed in the trade. The approximate number of men employed is as follows:--Whites, 100; coloured aliens, 1,109; and about twenty aboriginal natives. About three hundred and fifty coloured men are imported each year from Singapore and Koepang on three years and twenty months agreements respectively. During the last twelve months the number of pearling luggers have increased greatly, and are likely to continue lo increase for some time. Several new luggers are ordered from Fremantle, and local builders are busily engaged in making additions to the various pearling fleets. Shell is very plentiful, and is increasing in value, No. 1 shell having realised as much as £14 per cwt. at the January, 1902, sales. During the past year some record pearls were fished, one having been sold locally for £2,000 : a mother-of-pearl blister was also sold for £1,250, Mr. G. Buddivant refused a large sum for a pearl fished by one of his boats; and Mr. J. J. Eacott refused a local offer of £4,000 for a pearl brought in by one of his divers early last month.
