AUSTRALIAN BLACKS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 2 May 1907, Page 4

AUSTRALIAN BLACKS.

SOME OF THEIR LITTLE .WAYS. Somo Interesting Particulars conjemintf the blacks who are plentiful in tho Northern Territory, aro given in iho Adelaide '"Register," . by Mr Bartlo Ryan. "Tho blacks," j he says, ''are in most cases friend- j ly. Iv vhe back country it is neces- j snry to let them see that one car- j ries firearms. They know what guns } are, and stand in aire of them. Mosquito nets are necessary— not^ only for mosquitoes, but also for safety, as tdie natives have an idea that a person sleeping; undei- a mosquito Ilet is watching, and can see them, consequently they wull not approach -a sleeper. If ft person shoots it is fatal to miss hitting tile mark, for « it is missed tha black says: 'Him ao chucky fellow' —moaning- that .he g» m caftnot shoot straight; and in such a case the black would probably give tho shooter the point of a spear. If one is not a gbod marksman the best plan is not to shtfdt fal tboir presence. These blacks who httvo used rifles are splendid shots, and with a couple of cartridges will frefrequently bag 2«> >n :'.'> wild K uCse - Asked for an explanation, the reply ris — Mo creep along 'him see Wim lot jieads; me fire/ ihim all sit down.' The womeil have fine figures, and ' tvaik jJeWeetly straight. Perhaps a ' large snake may appear in close! proximity to one. 'Him cheeiiy fellow, all rigiht fellow," they will say, and, catching the snake, will , tie him liackWtirds into a knot, and thrbw kirn agide, -emStt'kilvgp 'Him ff o alonga Billy supper,' and will continuo picking grass. These natives will work for one perhaps 12 months in a house, but will suddenly disappear -without! notice. Their only remuneration are food and tobacco. Should one give their money, it would only go in opium. ' which tho Chpin.se supply. Possiblj tho truant ma.v reappear someti.iu latei', nnd when nuestioncd about ' the reason for his absence will f-.ivi dn explanation; ile ijd-rl one lulls; walk alout lot of moons; mc si down alonga Alligator River.' TW.-j may, perhaps, stay -i fp «' weeks and, then depart again in the s;im< manner. During their cojo'irn win any one they frequenl'.y introduce aU their relatives to ona. One feed: thorn jrives them tobacco and' somi Jlctu-. ««n<J t_w..y .;..?-. -p>'ooU _vtlo_ you."