? 



NEW SOUTH WALES. %6\ 



About this time, when certificates were to 

 be granted, a numerous body, particularly of 

 Irish convicts, many of whom had only lately 

 reached the country, asserted in the most tur- 

 bulent manner " their times were out," nor 

 would they at first he persuaded they laboured 

 under, a mistake ; when growing insolent, they 

 used threats ; on which some of the most daring 

 were secured and punished, after which they 

 went peaceably to their work. 



The unfortunate produce of the harvest, now 

 proved a most serious cause of regret, for the 

 wheat was little more than straw ; and the 

 maize burnt in the ground for want of rain. 

 Indeed from the establishment of the colony, so 

 long a drought and great continuance of heat 

 had not been known. The country was now 

 nearly every where in flames, and even the wind 

 was parching, and a very few showers which 

 fell proved of no advantage, being instantly 

 drawn up by the excessive heat. 



On January the 12th, arrived the Norfolk, 

 with Lieut. Flinders and Mr. Bass, from the 

 examination of Van Diemen's land, of which 

 voyage these gentlemen gave the following in- 

 teresting particulars : 



Sailing, as stated, in October last, on the 

 11th, when nearly off Cape Howe, they were 

 met by a fresh gale at S. W. on which they 

 bore up, gained, and cast anchor in Twofold 

 Bay. Mr. Bass had visited this Bay when on 

 the coast before in the whale-boat ; but had 

 not then an opportunity to examine it as he 



