97

[JW? Mi?]

I am sure that this will interest you.

At the farewell to the Governor General the Cherbourg blacks
sand,according to newspaper reports,

Gnurri yarrum barrvon brung
Khung bung gun gorrenda thangoon. Si. Si.

And the interpretation given was-

"We are sorry friends to say Goodye.
May the SpiritFather go with you to your homeland is our
wish."

I wonder if the G.G. took the interpretation with him.
I give my interpretation and corrected spelling hereunder.

Ngairi Yaman barbvon byrunga kung
We tell father remember ( on )water

bangun guran-dya dhungan
much long way watch over.
(Aboriginal short hand).

No doubt some inflections have been missed.

[in pencil box]
I am sure [Mr Firman McKinnon] would be interested.

[FJ Watson]