Note 22 — Chapter I · EXPOSITION OF THE PROBLEM AND METHOD

Chiefs are reported by Taplin (Woods, p. 32); J. Dawson, pp. 5 sqq. But these statements, especially the latter, seem subject to doubt. Compare Curr, A.R., i. pp. 55 and 58. Howitt and his correspondents report chiefs among the Dieri, Tongaranka, Wiimbaio, Theddora, Yuin, Wiradjuri, Gurnditch Mara, Kulin, etc., Nat. Tr., pp. 297-320. Compare also Waitz Gerland, p. 790. But the term "Chief" appears somewhat vague; probably it is usually applied to influential individuals, whose importance is due to their personal qualities and not to their social position. The influence of old men, magicians and "doctors," is almost universally reported, and the council made up of them seems to wield the real power in the tribe. Compare Howitt, Nat. Tr., pp. 320-326, for some of the above references.