Correspondence Between Sydney May And F.J Watson Concerning Aboriginal Place Names (ITM489477)

I may mention that, in three S.E. Queensland distrinct native languages the names of the white-flowered teatree (Melaleuca leucadendron) are, respectively, (phonetically spellednamboor, ngoodoor and woodhooroo.

Incidentally, I might mention that "tee" is the Kabi (Wide Bay) name for the tallow-wood tree (Eucalyptus microcorys).

I have not committed the names Kuranda and Millaa Millaa to the usual forms as knowledge of the names is not personal.

Yours faithfully FJWatson Associate Member.

Grosvenor Street, Toowong, S.W.1. August 27th, 1940.

Mr. Sidney, May, Hon. Secretary, Queensland Place Names Committee, University of Queensland, Brisbane.

Dear Sir,

May I be permitted to point out that two errors occur in Bulletin No.8!

Under the place names derived from "buna" the botanical name, Eucalyptus pilularia appears. Buna, the red bloodwood tree is Eucalyptus corymbosa, while Eucalyptus pilularia is the black-butt tree.

The name, Woolloongaba, is shown as if derived from wongaree. Wongaree is the Logan River name for the whiptailed wallaby, but the local (Brisbane River) name for the said animal is wallon and the place name is thus Waĺlon-gúbā, the vowel u being a short one and the final a long.

Yours faithfully, FJWatson Associate Member.

18th July, 1940.

Mr. F. J. Watson, Grosvenor Street, TOOWONG. S.W.1.

Dear Sir,

At the last annual Meeting of the Queensland Place Names Committee on the 10the July, you were elected an Associate Member of the Committee. I enclose a copy of the Constitution, which will show you that it is an honorary position offered because of the great help you have been, and I hope will continue to be to the Committee.

Yours faithfully,

Hon. Secretary.

Grosvenor Street, Toowong, S.W.1. 12th July, 1940_

Mr. Sydney May, Hon. Secretary, Place Names Committee, University of Queensland.

Dear Sir,

In reply to your request of 11th instant, I shall be pleased to meet you at the University of 10_15 a.m. on Wednesday next. In the meantime I will try to get the meanings of the names you mentioned in your letter.

Yours faithfully FJWatson.

Grosvenor Street, Toowong, S.W.1. July 10th, 1940

Dear Mr. May,

With regard to your inquiry re. the origin of the place name Saraba, I do not know whether this place was named after any of the Franklin family. Mr. E Franklin's homestead is named Sarah Vale but it was so named in Mr. Franklin's fathers time, many years ago..

I wonder if you could do me a favour in connection with my research in S.E.Queensland aboriginal languages and place names.

Would you inquire of the University Libraries as to whether he could give me permission to see copies of the R S. proceedings, Lauterer's aboriginal languages of E.Australia; J.Shirle's vocabulary of Gowrburra and Coolabunia ( Advancement of sicence Vol. 6, and G.Watkins, proceedings, R.S. Vol. 8.

If you could get me permission to see this literature I should be much obliged.

Yours faithfully. FJWatson