65

"Nyleta",
Union Street,
Toowong,
October 1st, 1940.

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

Dear Sir,

Relative to the meanings of the place names Kuranda and
Millaa Millaa and of the spelling of the name of the ti-tree, or
tea-tree, referred to at the last meeting of the above Committee, I
beg to present the following information.

Re. Kuranda -- On the authority of E.Cowley, Kuranda, vide
F.M.Bailey's "Queensland Flora, 1899" ,kuranda is the name of an
indigenous, acorus leafed plant, Helmholtzia acorifolia, whose
habitat is Kuranda as well as other northern places. From
the description of this plant with its long, sword-like leaves
and its pyramidal, long panicled flower head, it must be a
conspicuous feature of bush still life which would suggest its
name as a place name.

Re. -- Millaa Millaa-- This name is, no doubt, a corruption
of millai millai, the native name of an indigenous species of
oleaster, a shrub or tree, Elaeagnus latifolia, whose habitat,
vide Bailey's "Queensland Flora" is the Atherton Table-land.

Re. Titree or teatree, which name has been commonly applied
to various species of melaleuca or paper-bark trees-- it has been
recorded (I regret that I cannot recall the authority) that the
members of an early Australian exploring party suffered from
scurvy and that, for the relief thereof, a decoction or "tea" ,made
from the leaves of the tree ,was experimented with.

Also, vide Bailey's "Queensland Flora" , according to --Palmer,
the young leaves of the white-flowered tea-tree were crushed in
water and the water was drunk for the cure of head-ache, colds etc.

I am therefore of opinion that the vernacular name should be
tea-tree.

(I may mention)--