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of of the northern and interior regions of our vast
continent the practisce was not unknown. I have
however never been able to hear of any authentic case of
cannabalism on the East coast of New South Wales
either from my talks with pioneers of the north coast and [^or]
of the far south coast. Nor yet from written evidence
such as the "Tindal Letters" (Clarence and Hunter rivers 1843 to
1859) and Robert Dawson's book in which he writes very
fully on the subject in relation to the Port Stephens, and
adjacent, natives whom he had unique opportunities of
studying during the years 1826 to 1829. The gist of his
remarks is that he neither saw nor heard of any reliable
case of this revolting custom during his travels over the
A.A. Company's grant or even beyond its boundaries.
* Footnote
The half caste Freeburn told me that, in his boyhood, the
Yumbah tribe usually spent the winter some miles
inland getting their food supply from the forest
animals and other products of the bush.
When a certain plant, called or shrub, called
by them "nu-um-nu-um," came into blossom they knew
that the fish were beginning to run and that it was
time to shift camp to the Clarence Heads to enjoy
a change to fish diet. These they speared or netted
as the shoals swam in from the sea.