NORTH-EASTERN LINE
TASMANIAN NATIVE NAMES FOR STATIONS.
ITINERARY OF THE ROUTE.
Launceston.-Origin of name uncertain. First syllable supposed to indicate war-like propensities; the last commerce on a wholesale scale. It is a charming (at H.W.) and well-lighted city. Famous for its fine men, charming women, old wines, old cheese, and old ham. A small but interesting city in a certain "tight little Island," lat. 50deg. 38min. N., long. 4deg. 21min. W. is said to be named after it.
Mowbray.-The origin of this name is shrouded in the mists of antiquity. A philologist, of the genus flippant, suggests that scythes have been seen in use there in the remote past, and that quadrupeds race there, while bipeds put on their 'oof, usually on the wrong quadruped. Asinus est.
Rocher's Lane.-As famous as the rocky road to Dublin.
Nelson's Creek.-The unveracious chronicler says that Great Britain's famous hero was born here, and first learned the art of navigation in a dugout on this noble stream.
Turner's Marsh.-Named on the lucus a non lucendo principle.
Karoola.-On Piper's River, means a flute, a carol. It will be played 55 miles further on. "Battle of Boyne" strictly tattooed. "Wearing of the Green" may, however, be played pianissimo.
Lalla.-The ant with red body, black head and tail. Solomon studied its habits here. A visit to this place inspired Moore to write his famous poem.
Lilydale.-Noted for its fruit, pretty girls, and temperance. Hotels died for want of customers.
Tunnell.-After the aboriginal words "tun," a vessel to hold intoxicating liquor, and "ell," the measure of its diameter, 14ft.
Lebrina.-Hot; vowels more Franco non Anglice. Cross reference, Lietinna.
Denison Gorge.-Fitly commemorates a former Engineer-Governor. Playful allusion to big hampers brought by picnic parties.
Wyena.-Crooked like an elbow; a libel.
Golconda.-There is gold here, enough to swear by.
Greeta.--Gum tree. The name has a mournful sound, and is suggested by the wind sighing through the monarchs of the forest.
Lisle Road.--So called because the road threads its way through the bush to the Lisle gold field.
Timber Siding.-Sternly, utilitarian in name and purpose.
Lietinna.--Cold water for the engine, hot at Lebrina, lemons at Lalla, whisky at
Scottsdale.-A charming and progressive town with a strong ambition to have a deep water port of its own.
Tongawah.--Swallow, act of deglutition. A remote ancestor of Jack's giant lived here, and regularly swallowed a Forester as a pre-prandial appetiser.
Trewalla.-Erroneously said to be a corruption of Trevalli. The only fish here are lobsters. Fishy stories were told in the engineers' camp.
Kamona.-A venomous critic says this is a corruption of the Japanese Kimono. The modern aboriginals wore them, but called them blueys.
Tulendeena.-Formerly Old Dina, a corruption of "tile," the kind known as a Billycock, and Dinah, who was probably a "cullud pusson."
Ringarooma.-The aboriginal title of the Tasmanian national anthem. The words are lost to us, except the refrain.
Ringma, roomara,
Ringma, roomara, ad lib.
It means the housemother wanted elbow room when performing her house hold duties, while the picanninies stood in a ring looking on. History does not relate what Pa was doing. The ancient song "Everybody works but Father" may be a clue.
Branxholm.-A sturdy, progressive, and hospitable town. Formerly it was remote, unfriended, but never melancholy or slow. Under the natural law of etymology, the labials B and P are interchangeable. It is noted for its practical jokes, hence Pranxholm. Here the flutes will start to play, one at a time; first the big flute, then the lesser flutes, including the one from Karoola. Finally they will play in unison "God Save the King."
NORTH-EASTERN LINE (1911, July 12). Examiner (Launceston, Tas. : 1900 - 1954), p. 7 (DAILY). Retrieved November 10, 2019, from http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article50483468NOTES:
- lucus a non lucendo. Phrase. A form of illogical argument asserting that two things are related because they have opposite significations. An illogical explanation or absurd derivation, non sequitur. — H. O. Taylor https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lucus%20a%20non%20lucendo
- deglutition - the action or process of swallowing.
- H.W. means high water, I guess, on the Tamar River? "W. is said to be named after it." I have no idea what that means. Any suggestions.
- Moore's famous poem, Lalla Rooke.