NEW SOUTH WALES. 59 



islands at a little distance, he named Phillip 

 and Nepean. The soil at Norfolk Island was 

 very rich, but the landing- dangerous at Sydney 

 Bay, as it is exposed to Southerly winds. The 

 flax plant, which was the object of this expedi- 

 tion, and which Capt. Cook remarked to: grow 

 spontaneously, had not been discovered by Lieut. 

 King when the Supply sailed. Lieut. Ball after he 

 left this harbour, soon discovered an uninhabited 

 island, smaller than Norfolk Island, abound- 

 ing with turtle and fowls, which were so tame 

 that some of the crew approached near enough 

 to knock them down with sticks, this place 

 Lieut. Ball called Lord Howe Island. The 

 pines on Norfolk Island grow to an immense 

 size, one measured nine feet round, and an- 

 other 180 feet in length. The Scarborough, 

 Charlotte, and Lady Penrhyn transports were 

 cleared and discharged. Several of the con- 

 victs came in from the woods wounded by the 

 natives. One of the wounded had been em- 

 ployed cutting rushes for thatching, and an- 

 other who was not well, had been collecting 

 vegetables. All our people denied giving 

 any cause, but as they well knew the conse- 

 quence that would result from offending the 

 natives, there could be no wonder that they 

 denied it, for the Governor had made known, 

 that any one, giving them offence, should be 

 subjected to a prosecution. There can be no 

 doubt but our people gave the first offence, .for 

 the Governor on his return from his excursion 

 about Broken Bay, ityind the natives very shy, 



