292 NEW SOUTH WALES. 



during the season for operations in the high southern latitudes. The 

 necessity I felt of subjecting so many lives in so unworthy a ship, 

 caused me great anxiety during the whole cruise. The official 

 papers forwarded to the Secretary of the Navy, upon this subject, will 

 be found in Appendix XXI. 



All the vessels underwent the necessary repairs of calking, &c, 

 and the Flying-Fish was furnished with two new masts of the kauri 

 pine of New Zealand, some feet shorter and larger in diameter than 

 her former ones. 



A few days before our departure, the British frigate Druid, Lord 

 John Russel, commander, arrived from England, with Captain Hob- 

 son, R. N., the new Governor (under the name of consul) for New 

 Zealand. He was accompanied by a large retinue, and also had all 

 kinds of facilities for his permanent and comfortable establishment 

 there, among; which was a house in frame. 



The season of our visit to Sydney, was that of their summer (De- 

 cember), and it was somewhat difficult for us to realize the luxuriance 

 of vegetation about us. We could hardly become familiar with win- 

 dows and doors entirely open at Christmas time. Although it was 

 properly the out of town season, we found much gaiety existing, and 

 we have great pleasure in acknowledging the attentions and civilities 

 extended to us during the whole of our stay. 



The facilities for outfits here are such as are not to be found else- 

 where in the Pacific. The mechanics are good, but as artisans are 

 scarce their wages are exorbitant, and the employer is, for the most 

 part, compelled to put up with their demands. From our experience, 

 we inferred they are not to be depended on, and require to be well 

 watched to obtain the requisite quantity of labour from them. Their 

 rations of grog were always a stipulation made by them, and had to 

 be complied with. 



During our stay here, our men behaved well. They all received 

 leave in their turn to visit the shore, and I felt gratified in not having 

 a single case reported to me of bad behaviour on shore. 



As our departure drew near, one and all of us felt and expressed 

 regret at leaving such kind friends. In very many places and fami- 

 lies, we had found ourselves at home, and were always received with 

 that kindness that showed us we were welcome. The seasons, with 

 many other things, may be reversed, yet the hospitality of old Eng- 

 land is found here as warm and fresh as ever it was in the parent 



