Austral English Part 127

"Mr. Ireland: Yes; after the claim is `jumped.'"

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `The Miner's Right,' p. 37:

"If such work were not commenced within three days, any other miners might summarily take possession of or jump the claim."

ibid. p. 52:

"Let us have the melancholy satisfaction of seeing Gus's pegs, and noting whether they are all en regle. If not, we'll `jump' him."

Ibid. p. 76:

"In default of such advertis.e.m.e.nt, for the general benefit, they were liable, according to custom and practice, to have their claim `jumped,' or taken forcible possession of by any party of miners who could prove that they were concealing the golden reality."

1875. `Melbourne Spectator,' August 21, p. 189, col. 3:

"Jumping selections ... is said to be very common now in the Winmera district."

Jumpable, adj. open to another to take. See Jump.

1884. Rolf Boldrewood, Melbourne Memories,' c. xvi. p. 114:

"The heifer station was what would be called in mining parlance `an abandoned claim' and possibly `jumpable.'"

Jumper, n. one who jumps a claim. See Jump.

1890. Rolf Boldrewood, `Miner's Right,' c. xii. p. 127:

"Come along, my n.o.ble jumper, you've served your injunction."

Jumping-mouse, n. See Hapalote.

June, n. a winter month in Australia. See Christmas.

1886. H. C. Kendall, `Poems,' p. 132:

"Twenty white-haired Junes have left us Grey with frost and bleak with gale."

Jungle-hen, n. name given to a mound-building bird, Megapodius tumulus, Gould. See also Megapode. The Indian Jungle-fowl is a different bird.

1890. Carl Lumholtz, `Among Cannibals,' p. 97:

"But what especially gives life and character to these woods are the jungle-hens (mound-builders) ... The bird is of a brownish hue, with yellow legs and immensely large feet; hence its name Megapodius."

Juniper, Native, n. i.q. Native Currant (q.v.).

K

Kahawai, n. Maori name for the fish Arripis salar, Richards.; called in Australia and New Zealand Salmon (q.v.).

Kahikatea, n. Maori name for a New Zealand tree, Podocarpus dacrydioides, A. Rich., N.O. Coniferae. Also called White-Pine.

See Pine. The settlers' p.r.o.nunciation is often Kackatea. There is a Maori word Kahika, meaning ancient.

1855. Rev. R. Taylor. `Te Ika a Maui,' p. 439:

"White-pine, Podocarpus dacrydioides--Kahikatea, kahika, korol. This tree is generally called the white-pine, from the colour of its wood. The kahikatea may be considered as nearly the loftiest tree in the New Zealand forest; it often attains a height of little less than two hundred feet, and in that respect rivals the n.o.ble kauri, but the general appearance is not very pleasing."

1875. T. Laslett, `Timber and Trees,' p. 304:

"The kahikatea or kakaterra-tree (Dacrydium excelsum or taxifolium). This majestic and n.o.ble-looking tree belongs to the natural order of Taxaceae, more commonly known by the name of Joint Firs. Height 150 to 180 feet, rising sixty feet and upward without a branch."

1876: W. Blair, `Transactions of New Zealand Inst.i.tute,'

vol. ix. art. 10, p. 160:

"This timber is known in all the provinces, except Otago, by the native name of `kahikatea'. I think we should adopt it also, not only on account of being more euphonious, but for the reason that so many timbers in other parts of the world are called white-pine."

1873. `Appendix to Journal of House of Representatives,'

vol. iii. G. 7, p. 11:

"On the purchased land stands, or lately stood, a small kahikatea bush... . The wood appears to have been of no great money value, but the natives living in Tareha's pa depended upon it for their supply of fire-wood."

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, p. 124:

[It is Sir James Hector who a.s.signs the tree to Coniferae, not Taxaceae.]

1888. Ca.s.sell's' Picturesque Australasia,' vol. iii. p. 210:

"The White Pine or kahikatea is a very beautiful tree, and droops its dark feathery foliage in a way which recalls the graceful branches of the English elm-tree."

Kahikatoa, n. Maori name for /a/ New Zealand shrub, but no longer used by the settlers.

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, p. 126:

"Kahikatoa, tea-tree of Cook. Leptospermum scoparium, Forst., N.O. Myrtaceae."

Kahikomako, n. Maori name [shortened into kaikomako] for a New Zealand timber, Pennantia corymbosa, N.O. Olacineae; called also Ribbonwood (q.v.).

1883. J. Hector, `Handbook of New Zealand, p. 130:

"Kahikomako, a small, very graceful tree, with white sweet-smelling flowers; height twenty to thirty feet.

Wood used by the Maoris for kindling fires by friction."

Kai, n. Maori word for food; used also in the South Sea islands. Kai-kai is an English adaptation for feasting.

1807. J. Savage, `Some Account of New Zealand,' Vocab.

p. 75: