extract from a lecture on the Aborigines of New South Wales by Edward J. Hill, Esq.:—'The canoes of the natives are of two kinds. Those intended for a mere temporary purpose—to cross a river or lagoon—are formed from the bark of a gum-tree, simply tied together at the ends, with a piece of stick to keep the sides from coming together. When intended for fishing or permanent use, much more trouble is taken. A large sheet of bark is taken from the stringybark-tree; the outer side of the bark, which is very rough and stringy, is carefully removed; it is then slowly, and with very great attention, passed over a blazing fire until it has become thoroughly hot through, which makes it very pliable; the ends of the bark are then brought together and laced with a cord made from the same description of bark; the gunwale is strengthened by a band of rushes laced along the edge; and two or three stretchers are placed, according to its length, to keep the canoe in shape. A canoe of this kind is usually occupied by two men—one at the stern, who propels it with a short paddle in either hand, and the other at the bow, armed with spears, with which to strike the fish. When crossing a river or lake, four or five persons may be conveyed in one of them with safety. When employed in fishing, a flat stone is placed in the centre, on which a small fire is always kept burning, on which they can cook their fish when they catch them.'
"Mr. Hill speaks the language and knows the customs and habits of the Aborigines thoroughly, and may, therefore, be considered an authority. In 1834 I saw the natives using the large canoes outside both Jervis Bay and Twofold Bay, and the large fish which were brought in by them clearly proved to me that their canoes must have been very buoyant and strong. Any one acquainted with the strength and tenacity of stringybark would not wonder that a primitive people without metal tools should use it for boats in preference to wood, which could only be hollowed out in a rude manner and with immense labor. On the Murray, Murrumbidgee, and other interior rivers, the bark canoe was used; and all who have seen much of the natives, especially on the coast, will admit that they are skilful men in a boat.
"What Mr. Brierly states about the canoes on the north-east coast I believe to be correct, but I cannot vouch for its accuracy from personal observation. The north coast of Australia is regularly visited, I believe, by the Malays for the purpose of trepang-fishing. If Mr. Jukes will be good enough to examine the Australian timbers, and the description of them in the Catalogues of the Great Exhibition, he will find the doubts expressed in the P.S. of his letter fully answered."[1]
Mr. Brierly, in another letter, makes the following statements:—
"I cannot but feel flattered by the testimony of so eminent an authority as Mr. Jukes to the truth of my observations about the canoes of Australia, and well remember the interest with which (on board H.M.S. Rattlesnake) we used to consult his valuable work upon that part of the world during our surveying cruises over much of the ground which he had visited in H.M.S. Fly before us; but I think in the observations which he makes for the purpose of stating
- ↑ Athenæum, p. 364, 15th March 1862.
