SOO On Norfolk Island, 



About a mile distant on the western side is the agricultural 

 station of Longridge, containing extensive farm buildings ; 

 and at the back of the island, or northern face, the long 

 since abandoned hamlet of Cascades : excellent roads lead 

 from one to the other of these places. 



The landing from boats is effected at the northern or 

 southern side of the island, according to the direction and 

 force of the wind. At Sydney Bay a small jetty has been 

 constructed, with a flag-staff, in order to notify to mariners 

 the condition of the water. Notwithstanding all precautions, 

 accidents are of frequent occurrence. At the Cascades, so 

 named from small streams of water falling over the basaltic 

 cliffs on the shore, the sea is generally smooth when the 

 wind is from the southward, so that landing can be easily 

 effected on some rocks that project into the water. Anson's 

 Bay is now deemed impracticable. 



Norfolk Island is abundantly supplied with water of 

 excellent quality. The streams are small and insignificant, 

 but fountains will rise from the rock in every direction, and 

 collecting, run as brooklets down the vallies. The rain 

 which falls during the year is moderate in quantity. 

 Sometimes, as might be expected in a country so near the 

 Tropics, it falls abundantly. Yet, however heavy or long- 

 continued the shower, no water accumulates, as the drainage 

 is thoroughly accomplished by means of the deep gullies 

 which radiate in all directions from the high land towards 

 the sea. Vegetation is hence most luxuriant. Eain falls at 

 all periods of the year, but chiefly during the winter. 

 Fogs and mists are unknown. But few days occur in 

 the course of the year in which the sky is not more or less 

 clouded, and the horizon rarely presents that clear defined 

 outline so common in the Australian Colonies.* In the 



* Top. & Med. Eeport, 1847-49. 



