XX. NORMAN SELFE. 



lished by Cooper and Levey along the Lachlan stream, were also 

 suppressed, and Sydney for many years had one of the purest 

 water supplies in the world from that source. 



The only other water mill near Sydney, of which the writer 

 can find any record, was at Paddington, in Barcom Glen, fitted up 

 by Thomas West in 1813. This mill, apparently, had an overshot 

 wheel, and must have been fed by a comparatively small stream. 

 No details have been found of this, but there is an illustration 

 of Lord's mill in the "Picture of Sydney," published in 1838, which 

 shows a large weatherboard building and a breast-wheel. The 

 accompanying description states that sixty persons were employed 

 at the works in the manufacture of wool into tweed, blankets, etc. 



The first settlers were much struck with the possibilities of 

 manufacturing flax from the native plants. In 1799 four men 

 were constantly employed making and repairing spinning wheels 

 and looms, In 1805 two flax looms were weaving fabrics, but as 

 we know the industry never became a permanent one. 



The First Steam Engine in Australia. — The first steam engine 

 in Australia, of which any record has been found, was imported 

 by Mr. John Dickson in the vessel "Earl Spencer." This was 

 erected soon after it was landed and started in the presence of 

 the Governor, on the 28th May, 1815, in what was then a large 

 mill which Mr. Dickson had built at the bottom of Goulburn-street, 

 close to the waters of Darling Harbour. It was for many years 

 afterwards known as " Dickson's Steam Engine," and is so indi- 

 cated on old maps of Sydney. Dickson's mill is still standing 

 and working, at the western end of Goulburn-street. Originally 

 it was near the centre of a grant of fifteen acres three roods 

 and four perches, and close to a wharf that ran a long way out 

 into waters of the harbour; but this water frontage has long since 

 been reclaimed, and the streets laid out upon it are a busy part 

 of the city now. May, of 1815, must have been a momentous 

 month for Sydney, because it not only saw the arrival of the first 

 steam engine, but witnessed the important journey of William 



