THE AUSTRALIAN BLACK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10960, 1 May 1907, Page 1 (Supplement)

THE AUSTRALIAN BLACK.

: Some interesting particulars concerning the blacks who; are plentiful m the Northern Territoryj are given to the Adelaide Register, by Mr Bartle Rydn.^ "Tbe; .blacks,' .he says, "are. m 'most cases friendly.., In the back, country* it is necessary to let them see that cue carries firearms. They know what guns are, and stand m awe of therm ; Mosquito, nets fare necssary— not only for mosquitoes, but also for safety, as the natives have an idea that a person sleeping under a mosquito net is watching, and can see them ; r consequently they will not approach a sleeper. If a person shoots it is fatal to miss hitting the mark, for if it is missed the black says: 'Him no chucky fellow'— mean'ng that the gun cannot shoot straight; and m such case the black would probably give the shooter the point of a spearIf one is not a good marksman the best plan is not to shoot m their presence. These . blacks who have used rifles are splendid shots, and with a' couple of cartridges will frequently bag 20 or 30 wild geese. Asked for an explanation the reply is— 'Me -creep alonga him see him lot heads ; me fire, him all sit down.' The women haves ' fine figures, and -walk oerfectly straight. Perhaps a large snake may apepar m close proximity to one. 'Him cheeky fellow, all right fellow,'* they will say, and, catching the snake, will tie him backwards into a knot," aid throw him aside, remarking, 'Him go along Billy supper,' and will continue picking grass. These natives will; work for one perhaps 12 months m a house, but will suddenly disappear without notice. ; Their only remuneration are food and tobacco. Should one give them money it would only go m opium, whi?h the Chinese supply. Possibly the truant may reappear sometime later, and when questioned about the reason for his absence will give as an explanation, 'Me been, one longawalk about lot of moous, n\e sit down alonga Alligator River." They may, perhaps, ' stay • -fbrf a few weeks,, and) then depart, again, m the same manner. During .their sojourn with any one they frequenetly introduce their relatives to one. One feeds, them and gives them tobacco and some ffldur,; arid then they say, 'Good fellow you.'"' '