Chapter V Tribal Governments

Transcription - Page 14

9
In speaking of the [crossed out - Victorian] tribes of
[crossed out - Victoria] the South west of the State of Victoria

[Here - crossed out] I again 'quote' from the valuable work of the late Mr James Dawson
[crossed out - as to the]
[Head men tribes of south western Victoria- crossed out] 6B
Insert at A p7

[crossed out - Mr Dawson] who had full opportunities for becoming acquainted
with the customs of three tribes [crossed out - of south western Victoria], during his
residence in [that - crossed out] the S W district from the earlier times of settlement.
※ [with arrow down]

He says (1) that every tribe had its chief who is looked upon in the
light of a father and whose authority is supreme. He consults with
the best men of the tribe, and when he announces his decision
they dare not contaradict [crossed out - him] or disobey him.

If a chief leaves home for a short time he is always accompanied
by a friend and on his return is met by two men who conduct
him to his Wuurn (hut). When a tribe is moving from one
part of the Country to another: the chief, accompanied by a friend
precedes it and obtains permission from the next chief to pass
before his followers cross the boundary. When approaching a friendly
camp the chief walks at the head of his tribe. A strange chief
approaching a camp is met at a short distance by the chief
and invited to come and sit down, a fire is made for him
and then he is asked where he has come from, what is his
business.

When a chief dies, the best male friend of the deceased is appointed
to take charge of the tribe until when at the next great meeting of the
tribe, the sucessor is decided by the votes of the chiefs. The
eldest son is appointed unless there is some good reason for
setting him aside. Failing him the office goes to the deceased chief's eldest
brother, and his younger brothers and their successors.

All this is entirely in accord in principle with much that I know & have [seen- crossed out]
observed personally, but in these tribes the [2 words crossed out] transmittance of inheritance of the
office or power of the headman appear to have been established much more fully than in tribes where
have come under my observation, Mr Dawson had such exceptional opportunity of his being accepted
with tribes he describes that I accept his statements as accurate.

The practice of the Woe worung [crossed out - tribe] will serve
as an example of the [crossed out - Kulin male] tribe which form
Kulin nation. For reasons stated elsewhere I [crossed out - do not use] avoid the term 'chief'
[crossed out -use term chief], although [I - crossed out] have [quoted just down to- crossed out] now, noting
Mr Dawson's statements, [crossed out - but a more apprpriate and less misleading I like]
[crossed out - the term headman], the word occurs as used by him and not by me.

above at ※