258 HISTORY OF 



cerned their own interest ; but it serves to shew 

 that those not anxious for the public good, were 

 careless even of their own. In the early part 

 of December, the thermometer at the Hawkes- 

 bury stood at 107 degrees. 



Many persons were much afflicted with in- 

 flammations of the eyes, accompanied with ex- 

 treme pain, which was supposed by the faculty 

 to be occasioned by the dry, sultry weather 

 which prevailed some time. Dysenteric com* 

 plaints, which were attributed to the water, 

 most of the runs and springs being nearly dried 

 up. The tanks cut in the rocks, below the 

 stream by order of Governor Phillip had proved 

 of the greatest utility. 



The seamen of the Supply finished a half- 

 moon battery this month, and part of that ship's 

 guns were mounted in it, and thus formed a 

 very respectable addition to the strength of the 

 colony's defence. 



Among other works, some were employed in 

 white- washing the houses in Sydney, and repair- 

 ing the buildings which required it; an highly 

 necessary attention once in very year, for the ge- 

 neral preservation; the re- construction of which, 

 if suffered to decay, was attended with a greal 

 expense both of money and labour, the latt< 

 of which was of more consequence than th< 

 former as there were but few comparatively t< 

 work, and small indeed was the quantity oj 

 it to be obtained from them, 



