Lumholtz says: "The women are the humble servants or rather slaves of the native."[192] The women are ill-treated in the most cruel manner; he gives an example of a wife being awfully maltreated for a trifle.[193] But this happened among "civilized blacks." If she elopes she may be even killed. But sometimes they are examples of loving couples.[194] In another place we read of love and jealousy and of the great affection they are capable of;[195] and an example thereof is given. This statement suggests to us that much of the ill-treatment was due perhaps to the "civilization" of the blacks. [192] Lumholtz, p. 100. [193] _Ibid._, p. 161. [194] _Ibid._, p. 163. [195] _Ibid._, p. 213. An analogous statement in this regard is given by Palmer, concerning the tribes of Upper Flinders and Cloncurry River. The lot of the women is hard and they are often treated with club and spear. There are, nevertheless, happy and mutually regardful couples.[196] [196] Palmer, p. 28. Roth says[197] that among the North-West Queensland tribes the man has absolute authority over his wife. In another place we are informed, that "in the case of a man killing his own gin, he has to deliver one of his own sisters" to be put to death. And "... a wife has always her 'brothers' to look after her interests." Thus, in some extreme cases, the husband's authority seems to be limited by his wife's kindred, who protect her. [197] Bull. 8, p. 6. The women among the Cape York natives are reported to have a very hard life, but occasionally there exists a strong attachment between a married couple.[198] [198] Macgillivray, ii. pp. 8, 9. In West Australia the man is said to possess a full and inheritable right over his wife.[199] Grey says that they have very much to suffer, especially from the jealousy of their masters.[200] The authority of the husband appears also in the story, told in Chapter XVII, where the husband inflicts a severe beating on his two wives; nevertheless, he seems to display also a certain affection for them and great care, protecting them as far as possible.[201] [199] Grey, ii. p. 230. [200] _Ibid._, pp. 248, 249. [201] Compare Grey, ii. chap. xvii. p. 350, especially pp. 353, 354; point 3, p. 359.