Hi Mick,
Sorry no luck with Kidson's bio but winging its way to you by email is what I have on Kidson.
Below please find what I have on Cronin and Nipper as extracted from the CSR book.
Cronin, Dan.
A member of Kidson’s Magnetic Survey Expedition up the CSR in 1914; he also travelled back down the CSR, with the camels used by Kidson. Cronin was a camelman on Snell’s 1929
well reconstruction party and a camelman teamster on Canning’s 1930–31
Well reconstruction party.
Nipper
A
Kimberley Aborigine, Nipper came to
Perth with the 1906–07 Survey team when they returned from
Halls Creek to
Wiluna. He then worked with the 1908–10
Well construction party as a general hand and shepherd. He left
Wiluna in 1908 with 500 goats to herd; these would be used for milk and food by the
well construction party during the upward leg to
Halls Creek. On the return leg to
Wiluna he had 150 goats to herd, these were also purchased for milk and meat. In addition to the goats Nipper assisted Magee with the 50 bullocks Canning purchased for food for the return leg.
Nipper spoke excellent English and his conduct was exemplary. Upon his return to
Perth, he worked with the police at Roe Street. In 1914, Nipper was a member of Kidson’s magnetic survey from
Wiluna to
Wyndham via the CSR.
cheers
Phil