NEW SOUTH WALES. 309 



circumstance made it strongly conjectured, that 

 the earth contained a very large portion of salt, 

 as at this time the ponds on the high grounds 

 were even very far from fresh. All the woods 

 from Sydney to Paramatta were absolutely 

 completely on fire, the trees were burnt to the 

 tops, and all the grass destroyed. 



Tfl counteract if it was possible the vile in- 

 tentions of those wicked wretches who were 

 directly or indirectly concerned in setting the 

 gaol on fire, a strong building of stone, with 

 substantial walls, was began this month, which 

 was well calculated to defeat any future attempt 

 to reduce it by fire. 



The long dry weather which had prevailed, 

 to the great injury of cultivation, was succeeded 

 in the beginniug of March by rain for several 

 days, which much refreshed the gardens then 

 nearly burnt up, and revived at all parts of the 

 island the shockingly perishing vegetation. At 

 the Hawkesbury, a sad accident occured, which, 

 proved destructive to the settlers at that place. 

 The river suddenly, and in the course of a few 

 hours, swelled to the height of 50 feet from its 

 usual level, and with that rapidity as to carry 

 every thing that stood in the way before it. The 

 government store-house, erected at the first set- 

 tling in this part, was in the course of this in- 

 undation, swept away, with all the provisions 

 Jt contained. Several inhabitants were taken 

 from the ridges of their houses, by boats only 

 in time to save their lives; for most of the 

 dwellings were inundated, and the whole country 



