Note 34 — Chapter III

The following was mentioned to me as the origin of the name given to this point. Governor Phillip, at an early period of the colony, formed a pic-nic party to proceed up the Paramatta river, and a person was sent on before to prepare kangaroo steaks. They landed at this point, and having regaled themselves, the gentlemen, following the maxims of John Hunter, laid down upon the grass, and aided digestion by falling asleep; the ladies finding themselves deserted began to propose winning gloves, and therefore kisses were taken, and on their awaking the forfeit was demanded, and of course not refused. Before leaving the place the governor wished some name to be bestowed upon the point, and one of the ladies being requested to do so, in consequence of the occurrence just mentioned, named it “Kissing Point.”