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The Anthropological Society of Australasia re particulars of native local names.
1. Referring to a Circular note by the Anthropological Society of Australasia, a few copies of which were sent to me for distribution by the Under Secretary, I have to offer the following remarks.
2. It is rather late in the day to make inquiry as to local aboriginal names, and their meanings; and in the Eastern Division it is almost impracticable to obtain any reliable information, on account of the few aborigines remaining and their ignorance or indifference on the subject. In the Central and Western Divisions it may be possible that particulars may occasionally be collected.
3. There are comparatively but few aboriginal names of which the real meanings have been recorded, and meanings now applied are frequently doubtful or fanciful.
4. There is a work upon the subject, viz Ridley's Kameleroi and other Australian languages (Sydney 1875) which as far as I know is hte only systematic attempt to explain the aboriginal language and their tribal laws. About Port Jackson and some of the coastal waters, a few local names and their meanings were recorded in a small book by one of the early surveyors, W E Larmer, but I do not know of any other attempt thus to preserve names.
5. The surveyors have little or no leisure to bestow to this inquiry in the Eastern Division, on account of the difficulty of getting the information but it is possible occasionally to obtain it direct in the Western Division and parts of the Central Division, were [sic] the aborigines may be found living somewhat in their former state.
6. I may mention that in the Departmental survey instructions
The Under Secretary