First Nations Language Collection

"Nyleta" Union Street, Toowong, S.W.I November 24th, 1942.

Mr. Sydney May,

University of Queensland,

Dear Sir,

I have to hand your letter of 20th instant relative to the place names Mt. Beppo, and Tin Can Bay.

I know of no authority as to the application of the n name Beppo to the mountain in question, but I have little doubt that it is derived from the Yugarabul (Brisbane River language) word "bippo" which itself means "mountain.

Re. Tin Can Bay.

Tin Can is a conversion, by "folk etymology" of the word "tintchin" --- approximate spelling ---- an aboriginal name for a species of mangrove, Bruguiera Rheedii. The meaning of the name was given to me, from a now forgotten source, some 55 years ago. Its earliest known history is connected with the early sawn timber industry of Maryborough, when Messrs Pettigrew and Sim of Dundathu Sawmill exploited it for soft timbers, chiefly kauri pine from which a local creek ---Kauri Creek-- was named. Much of this timber was rafted and towed by tugboats to Maryborough.

With the "cutting out" of the pine forests and the consequent waning of the timber industry at Maryborough the bay has become a station for fishermen, professional and amateur.

The shores of Tin Can Bay are swampy and the mangroves which abound therein doubtlessly inspired the name.

Yours faithfully, FJ Watson Associate Member Q.P.N.C

[left margin] To/ Mr. Sydney May, Hon. Secretary, Q.P.N.C. University, Brisbane.

COPY:

"Nyleta" Union Street, Toowong. S.W.I November 24th, 1942.

Mr. Sydney May, University of Queensland.

Dear Sir,

I have to hand your letter of 20th instant relative to the place names Mt. Beppo, and Tin Can Bay.

I know of no authority as to the application of the name Beppo to the mountain in question, but I have little doubt that it is derived from the Yugarabul (Brisbane River language) word "bippo" which itself means "mountain".

Re - Tin Can Bay.

Tin Can is a conversion, by "folk etymology" of the word "tintchin" --- approximate spelling --- an aboriginal name for a species of mangrove, Bruguiera Rheedii. The meaning of the name was given to me, from a now forgotten source, some 55 years ago. Its earliest known history is connected with the early sawn timber industry of Maryborough, when Messrs. Pettigrew and Sim of Dundathu Sawmill expoited it for soft timbers, chiefly kauri pine from which a local creek -- Kauri Creek -- was named. Much of this timber was rafted and towed by tugboats to Maryborough.

With the "cutting out" of the pine forests and the consequent waning of the timber industry at Maryborough the bay has become a station for fishermen, professional and amateur.

The shores of Tin Can Bay are swampy and the mangroves which abound therein doubtlessly inspired the name.

Yours faighfully, (signed) F. J. Watson Associate Member Q.P.N.C

COPY:

"Nyleta", Union Street, Toowong. S.W.I November 24th, 1942.

Mr. Sydney May, University of Queensland.

Dear Sir,

I have to hand your letter of 20th instant relative to the place names Mt. Beppo and Tin Can Bay.

I know of no authority as to the application of the name Beppo to the mountain in question, but I have little doubt that it is derived from the Yugarabul (Brisbane River language) word "bippo" which itself means "mountain".

Re - Tin Can Bay.

Tin Can is a conversion, by "folk etymology" of the work "tintchin" --- approximate spelling ---- an aboriginal name for a species of mangrove, Bruguiera Rheedii. The meaning of the name was given to me, from a now forgotten source, some 55 years ago. Its earliest known history is connected with the early sawn timber industry of Maryborough, when Messrs. Pettigrew and Sim of Dundathu Sawmill expoited it for soft timbers, chiefly kauri pine from which a local creek --Kauri Creek-- was named. Much of this timber was rafted and towed by tugboats to Maryborough.

With the "cutting out" of the pine forests and the consequent waning of the timber industry at Maryborough the bay has become a station for fishermen, professional and amateur.

The shores of Tin Can Bay are swampy and the mangroves which abound therein doubtlessly inspired the name.

Yours faighfully, (signed) F. J. Watson Associate Member Q.P.N.C