NEW SOUTH WALES. 327 



it might afford a permanent supply, and the too 

 numerous males, at present afforded an agreeable 

 variety, to the rations delivered from the stores. 



The Hillsborough transport arrived from Eng- 

 land on the 26th of July, when she sailed, the 

 number of male convicts on board, amounted 

 to three hundred, but the gaol fever, breaking 

 out among them on the passage, ninety-five 

 died which number was encreased by six more 

 within a few days after they landed. 



The erection of the stone gaol proceeding too 

 slowly, the constables of the divisions of Sydney 

 were ordered to inform the inhabitants of their 

 divisions, that they must furnish from each, 

 viz. from King's, Nepean's, Banks's, and Mas* 

 kelyne's divisions, as well as from the Brick- 

 fields, five men each day and a watchman to 

 attend them. These were to be relieved by the 

 same number every day, as long as the work 

 should require such assistance. 



In the beginning of August the Governor 

 employed several days taking an excursion from 

 Prospect Hill to the settlement near George's 

 river. Having formerly surveyed the country 

 from Paramatta to that river, he determined to 

 trace it in another direction, and had the satis- 

 faction of finding, that it was equally favourable 

 to cultivation with that before taken notice of. 

 The distance from the hill was about five miles, 

 over very fine ground, adapted for cultivation 

 and pasturage, and equal to any part of New 

 South Wales. The settlers placed there were do- 

 ing very well, and had not been troubled for 



