OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 217 



1826, at Port Stephens, to the north of Hunter's River, on a tract 

 selected by him and the surveyor-general ; he continued to manage 

 their affairs until 1829, when, in consequence of a misunderstanding 

 between Mr. Dawson and the Company, growing out of the unavoida- 

 ble difficulties he had to contend with, and the many misrepresenta- 

 tions made by his enemies, he was removed, and Sir Edward Parry, 

 the celebrated polar navigator, appointed in his stead. 



Sir Edward Parry continued in the management until 1836, when 

 he retired, and was succeeded by Captain P. P. King, the able sur- 

 veyor, and who still conducts the affairs of the Company. I regretted 

 much not having been able to accept of the pressing invitation to 

 visit Captain King. It affords me great pleasure to bear testimony to 

 the correctness of his charts and sailing directions, which I have on 

 several occasions been called upon to verify and trust to in navigating 

 the squadron. 



The difficulties encountered by Mr. Dawson, were chiefly owing 

 to the excessive droughts that occurred in the years 1827, 1828, and 

 1829. In these years there was in some districts an entire, and in 

 others a partial failure of the crops, while the pasture-grounds were 

 all dried up. 



At other times, continued rains would cause great floods ; whole 

 districts of country were overflowed ; and along the rivers, not only 

 stacks of grain, but the buildings, were swept away. From this it 

 may be easily understood what difficulties the settlers of this country 

 have to contend with. To these also are to be added the contests 

 between the two parties, as to whether this shall remain a penal 

 colony or become a free one. 



It is only to be wondered that it should have continued to flourish, 

 notwithstanding all the impediments it has met with from misrule 

 and anarchy, growing out of a neglect to establish any well-combined 

 system of policy in its early stages. The governors, for want of any 

 positive enactments, were left free to adopt such measures as circum- 

 stances might dictate, and having their attention engrossed by the 

 difficulties with which they were continually surrounded, were com- 

 pelled to neglect the improvement of society, and took no pains to 

 frame prospective regulations for the well-being of the colony. 



In 1831, Governor Darling was superseded by Sir Richard Bourke. 

 The country had, during the administration of his two predecessors, 

 improved rapidly by the aid of convict labour. When the latter gen- 



vol. ii. 55 



