126 HISTORY OP 



had been produced. Some kept it for distil- 

 ling and brewing, while others paid debts, con- 

 tracted by gaming with it ; for the last indeed, 

 some had gpne so far as to lose their farms, and 

 others absolutely losing their clothes off their 

 backs, wept naked. Ruse, the first settler, and 

 one Williams*, having imprudently sold their 

 farms, and spent the money they produced, 

 gained permission to begin new ones, about 24 

 miles from Paramatta, with some others who 

 were about settling. On the 12th of February, 

 the Francis returned from Norfolk Island. 

 The accounts from Governor King were highly 

 satisfactory, the harvest, which was abundant, 

 was all got in, and every store in such plenty 

 as seemed to defy any idea of future want; the 

 people were all in good health, and the live- 

 stock increasing rapidly. The two natives of 

 New Zealand, sent by the Shah Hermuzear, 

 answered the purpose so well, that though Go- 

 vernor King had few hands and bad materials, 

 a quantity of canvas was manufactured weekly; 

 but the New Zealanders, having shewn great 

 anxiety to return home, Governor King thought 

 the Britannia's calling at Norfolk Island a 

 favourable opportunit}^, and embarked with a 

 guard and the two natives for New Zealand*, 



* The following account of the Flax Manufactory, on the 

 New Zealanders leaving Norfolk Island, can hardly prove un- 

 acceptable : 



Not more than nine men and Dine women could be employed 

 in preparini; and manufacturing the flax, which barely kept 

 them in practice. There was only one loom on the jsl&nd, anc\ 



