Box 4 Folder 2: New South Wales place names, 1899-1903 - Page 18

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Police Station
Milparinka
15th October 1899

Sen Const Wood, begs to report
that: he forwards herewith Return
referred to in telegram attached
by the earliest possible post. and to
state that it is very difficult to
ascertain from the Aboriginals names
of places and their reasons for so
naming such places.
The Sen Const. has also questioned
Station managers and others, and so
far is unable to furnish any further
information than contained in form
filled in and attached.
The Sen Const. begs to state that it
is hard to get meanings of names
from blacks, excepting extra intelligent
ones, and they are rare in these parts
- they have known names of places
from their childhood, but appear to
have never been questioned as to their
meanings and in lots of places the
names consist of two or more
syllables, or words having the same mean-
ing it takes tracing when you do
get them to understand what you
want to know. their names for wind, weather.
trees, animals & [?] they can readily give, but.
names of place & their meanings are very different.  

Wr. Sub- Inspt LeBoutillier
Wilcannia

W. N. Wood. S.C.