48 BY GEORGE WATKIXS. 



being named after the dead, such name was altered. In this 

 way an individual had frequently other names than the one cur- 

 rently in use. After a considerable time the original name was 

 generally reverted to. In course of time the death ceremonies 

 were carried out with less and less of the old forms, until at last 

 some wished to be buried in " white fashion " in the Dunwich 

 cemetery. 



As I knew them it was impossible to obtain information as 

 to their original religious beliefs. Only one or two young men 

 grew up requiring to be initiated in manhood, making " kipper " 

 as it was termed. In these cases the necessary ceremonies were 

 conducted in conjunction with the Nerang tribe on the mam- 

 land, the party being away some weeks. 



It is but fair to mention the accident of the loss of the 

 steamer Sovereign on the bar at the South Passage, while on her 

 w-ay to Sydney, 11th March, 1847. Out of fifty-four souls on 

 board, only ten were saved, and these in a great measure through 

 the instrumentality of the blacks, who swam out in the surf and 

 brought as many as they could to shore. In recognition of the 

 services then rendered, the Government, from time to time, pro- 

 vided them with a boat. 



Whenever a large camp was gathered together " corrobor- 

 rees " were held. These all had a meaning. Several of my old 

 friends were successful composers, and some of their productions 

 had a great run, and in course of time were carried to the 

 mainland and practised there. The composer first took two or 

 three friends into the bush for private instruction and rehearsal ; 

 these instructed others, and in course of time a full performance 

 came off, which would be repeated night after night for weeks. 

 One I remember had reference to the pelican, and the performers 

 were painted in white patches to resemble that bird. Another 

 had reference to a sickness, and the springing up of a wind which 

 carried it away. Another to the loss of a leading man while out 

 turtling. Several were comic in their character. The chief 

 performer in these was a well known character, Billy Cassim, 

 or John Alexander Cassim, Esq., as he called himself. A parody 

 on the shooting of a stranded turtle by a white man on More- 

 ton Island was always popular. A man on all fours acted the 



