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“NATIVE NAME OF THE PIGEON HOUSE.
“The correct pronunciation of the native name of the Pigeon House will probably remain a matter of some doubt. It is evident that some uncertainty existed in the minds of the early surveyors as to whether the word began with a ‘t’ or a ‘d,’ and one can well understand their difficulty when listening to a thick-tongued blackfellow. The first recorded of the name is that given in Surveyor Florance’s field-book (no. 305, p. 36) in 1828 as Dithol, accenting the first syllable , Dit. The second regerence is that quoted by Surveyor Hoddle (F.B. 295, p. 100) in October, 1828, where he appears to have first entered Tytdel and afterwards as Diddel, the latter subsequently appearing on some of the early maps of New South Wales. The third record appears to be that given by Surveyor Rusden in 1833 on his plan of survey of the Pigeon House Range, and is spelt Tithal. From the care with which Florance recorded the various native names along the coast it is probable that his interpretation of the pronunciation is correct, and that Dithol is the aboriginal name of the remarkable peak which claimed Captain Cook’s attention.
“The Pigeon House is situated in the midst of romantic mountain scenery, overlooking the profound gorges which are still being carved out by the waters of the Clyde River, and having the great, steep battlements of Talaterang and the Castle (Cooyoyo) standing as mighty sentinels around. Its symmetrical, conical shape, and towering massive crown, often shrouded by mist and cloud, and sometimes crested with snow, make it an object of general interest in its majestic setting amidst surroundings of natural beauty and rugged grandeur.”
Cambage, R.H., Captain Cook’s Pigeon House and Early South Coast Explorers, Samuel Lee, Sydney, 1911. p. 21.
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