228 



THE FOUNDING OF HOBART. 



having been enabled to fix the settlement advantageously, 

 and in a situation blessed with that great comfort of life, a 

 permanent sujiply of pure running water, and cautioned 

 the people against polluting the stream. On the third 

 day the hours of labour were fixed. The Lieut.-Governor 

 having thus given his people some elementary lessons, 

 enforced by appropriate sanctions, on the mutual rights 

 and duties of the individual and the State, proceeded to 

 care for their spiritual requirements, and on the fourth 

 day issued an order for a general muster of the prisoners, 

 and notified that on Sunday, weather permitting, divine 

 service would be performed, at which all were expected 

 to attend. 



Hunter's Island had been appropriated for the site of 

 the store tents, for which purpose it was admirably 

 adapted, not only on account of its handiness as a landing 

 place, but also because its isolated position made it com- 

 paratively safe from plunderers. All available hands 

 were now employed to discharge the stores. The ships 

 were moored at a short distance from the shore, and the 

 cargo taken off in boats. A wharf was begun at the 

 landing-place on the island, and a way was formed along 

 the sandspit by means of which the mainland could be 

 more conveniently reached at low tide. These works 

 were placed under the superintendence of Mr. William 

 Collins, the hero of the boat expedition to Port Jackson, 

 and who had already given the Governor many proofs 

 of his capacity. Even the Chaplain, usually the only 

 idle man in the settlement, found employment during 

 the first week. His diary tells us that it cost him three 

 days' work to prepare a sermon worthy to be the first 

 preached in the new colony. On Sunday, then, under 

 the gum-trees on the slope near the Governor's tent, 

 overlooking the waters of the Derwent sparkling in the 

 bright February sunshine, the military paraded, the 

 prisoners were drawn up? the officers and settlers formed 



Knsipwo.od, ^ gJ'oup apart, and the Rev. Robert Knopwood conducted 

 the first service in Tasmania. '' The sermon, by request 

 of the Lieut.-Governor, was upon the prosperity of the 

 new settlement, and to pray to God for a blessing upon 

 the increase of it." This first Sunday had, however, 



Ocean's Log. practical duties, and after service the Oceari's boats 

 moved the settlers, with their families and baggage, to 

 the spot which had been fixed upon for them on the 

 shores of New Town Bay, then known as Stainsforth's 

 Cove, not far from where the Risdon Road leaves the 

 Main Road. 



