1788.] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 2g 



Governor until the government-houfe could be erected, was laid on 

 the Eaft fide. 



The large flore-houfe being completed, and a road made to it from 

 the wharf, the provifions were landed from the victuallers. The ne- 

 ceffary work of covering in the hofpital was likewife completed with 

 fhingles prepared for the purpofe, and which were fattened on by pegs 

 made by the female convicts. 



The timber that had been cut down proved in general very unfit for 

 the purpofe of building, the trees being for the moft part decayed ; 

 and when cut down they were immediately warped and fplit by the 

 heat of the fun. A fpecies of pine appeared to be the beft, and was 

 chiefly ufed in the frame-work of houfes, and in covering the roofs* 

 the wood fplitting eafily into fhingles. 



The Supply returned on the 25th from Lord Howe Ifland ; but, to 

 the great diftrefs of the invalids and difappointment of every one, with- 

 out procuring any turtle, the weather being much too cold and the 

 feafon too late to find them fo far to the fouthward. 



To the fouthward and eaftward of Lord Howe Ifland there is a 

 rock, which may be feen at the diftance of eighteen leagues, and 

 to which, from its fhape, Lieutenant fBall gave the name of Ball 

 Pyramid. 



Farther and flill more unpleafant confequences of the ill-treatment 

 which the natives received from the new inhabitants were felt during 

 this month. On the 21ft a convict belonging to the farm on the Eaft 

 fide was brought to the hofpital very dangeroufly wounded with a. 

 barbed fpear, which had entered about the depth of three inches into 

 his back, between the moulders. The account that he gave of the 

 tranfaction was, that having ftrayed to a cove beyond the farm with 

 another man (who did not return with him), he was fuddenly wound- 

 ed with a fpear, not having feen any natives until he received the 

 wound. His companion ran away when the natives came up, who 

 flopped him of all his clothes, except his trowfers, which they did 

 not take, and then left him to crawl to the camp. A day or two after- 



1 wards 



