182 TRIBAL DIVISIONS OF THE 



Kelly (Evidence, Aboriginal Committee) states that 

 tlic West (Oast natives were a finer race than the tribes 

 in the interior, and had no intercourse with them. The 

 southern and western groups appear to have been quite 

 isolated from those on the eastern side of the island. 



3. Central Tribes. 



" Tribes from Oyster Bay to Pittwater." — Milligans 



Vocabulary. 



The interior and eastern parts of the island were 

 occupied by two powerful tribes — the Oyster Bay and 

 the Big River. Their northern boundary may be 

 roughly described as an irregular line beginning on the 

 East Coast south of St. Patrick's Head, passing along 

 the ranges to the south of the South Esk River to a 

 point at St. Peter's Pass (north of Oatlands), and thence 

 to the Great Lake. It was these two tribes who were 

 the most implacable enemies of the settlers, and it was 

 against them almost exclusively that Colonel Arthur's 

 " Black Line " operations were directed. 



(a) — The Oyster Bay Tribe. 



The Oyster Bay tribe or group of tribes occupied the 

 East Coast, and extended inland to the central valley. 

 They took their name from Oyster Bay (Great Swan- 

 port). The long extent of coast, following the inlets 

 and peninsulas from north of Schouten Main (Freycinet's 

 Peninsula) to Risdon on the Derwent, abounds in cray- 

 fish and in oysters and other shell-fish, affording an 

 abundant supply of their favourite food. On the East 

 Coast the hills lie some distance back from the sea, and 

 the country yielded a supply of game. Here the 

 natives were numerous, especially at certain seasons. It 

 is said that as many as 300 have been seen in one mob. 

 Robinson mentions two tribes on the coast — the Oyster 

 Bay proper and the Little Swanport tribes. Their 

 canoes were seen at Schouten and Maria Islands. The 

 latter was a favourite resort, and here Baudin's expedi- 

 tion (1802) fell in with a large mob, who showed them- 

 selves decidedly hostile. Marion came into collision 

 with them at Marion Bay in 1772. They roamed as far 

 south as Tasman's Peninsula, resorting to a spot near 

 Mount Communication to obtain " flints." Tribes 



