VI. T. W. KEELE. 
but in Captain Stokes’ ‘‘ Voyage of the Beagle,’’ there is a 
distinct assertion of the total absence of rain for a period 
of perhaps eight or nine months. He says, “‘ For some 
time previous to our former departure from Sydney, during 
the whole of our absence, and for several months subsequent 
to our return, not a drop of rain fell.’’ Now the Beagle 
left Sydney on 11th November, 1838, and returned 10th 
March, 1839. The close of the above period must have 
been May 29, for he finds this record in the Herald of May 
31: “It rained very hard in Sydney on Wednesday night, 
blowing a perfect gale of wind.’’ It is usually stated, 
however, that the drought did not break up until October. 
It will be seen in the diagram (1), tbat there is a gap in 
the record, no rainfall being given for 1839; but from the 
above account, it is probable that the curve would have 
been drawn down as low, if not lower, than in 1835. 
“There is evidence,” Professor Smith goes on to say, ‘ that 
during this distressing period, the Tunnel never altogether stopped 
running, although the supply became scanty.” 
Even so early in the drought as 5th November 1838, he 
finds this statement in the Herald :— 
“Great distress exists in Sydney especially at the northern end, 
in consequence of the scarcity of water. The stream from the 
pipes on the racecourse is very small, sosmall that the men cannot 
fill the watercarts without waiting four or five hours for a turn. 
Threepence per bucket is the price now asked, a heavy tax upon 
poor people. I have been assured by a gentleman who lived in 
the northern part of Sydney, at that time, that he had to pay as 
much as sixpence per bucket.” 
The increasing deficiency of water led the authorities to 
look about for some fresh source, and the dam at Cook’s 
River was begun about that time, with a view of increasing 
the supply. Speaking of the disposal of some prisoners, 
the Herald of 13th May says, 
