Settlers and land-holders in the region remained indifferent or largely unaware of the family for several decades. However the steady enlargement of the family, and the continuing spread of livestock stations in the region, led to increased sightings of the 'wild tribe' throughout the 1890s. By the 1870s, practically all fertile land in Australia had been colonized by whites. The frontier wars had long ended in New South Wales, and of the indigenous people of the state who had not died, virtually all had been relocated into missions or reserves. Local whites and authorities thus increasingly became concerned at the continued existence of this large family, now numbering thirty, outside of the now accepted system for Aboriginal people. Ultimately a party led by local station owners set out in 1893 to capture the Nanya family and have them returned to the settled areas. There were rumours of a reward offered by the Aboriginal Protection Board for the clans capture which may have inspired the change of policy of indifference to confrontation amongst the local landowners, but it was ultimately proved no such reward existed. In any case, the family were tracked down later that year and were coerced by the party to return to the Popiltah station.