1790.] OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 85 



their gardens. But, notwithstanding the evident neceffity that ex- 

 ifted for every man's endeavouring to affift himfelf, very few were 

 obferved to be fo profitably occupied. 



As every faving that could be made in the article of provifions was 

 of confequence in the prefent fituation of the ftores, it was di reeled on 

 the 3d, that fuch fifh as mould in future be taken by the public boats 

 fhould be iffued at the More, in the proportion of ten pounds of Mi 

 to two pounds and a half of pork ; and one hundred and fifty 

 pounds of fiih, which had been brought up before the iffuing of 

 provifions commenced on that day, were ferved out agreeable to 

 that order. 



At this time the Supply returned from Norfolk Ifland, with an ac- 

 count of a difafter which depreffed even the unthinking part of the 

 inhabitants, and occafioned univerfal difmay. A load of accumulated 

 evils feemed burfting upon their heads. The (hips that had fo long 

 been expected with fupplies were ftill an xi 011 fly looked for ; and the 

 Sirius, which was to have gone in queft of relief to their diftreifes, 

 was loft upon the reef at Norfolk Ifland, on the 19th of the pre- 

 ceding month. This was a blow which, as it was unexpected, fell 

 with increafed weight ; and on every individual the whole weight 

 feemed to have fallen. 



This untoward accident happened in the following manner : Cap- 

 tain Hunter had been extremely fortunate in a p adage of only feven 

 days. The foldiers, and mo ft part of the convicts, were landed in 

 Cafcade Bay, which happened at the time to be the leeward fide of 

 the ifland. Bad weather immediately enfued, and, continuing for fe- 

 veral days, the provifions could not be landed, fo high was the furf 

 occafioned by it. This delay, together with a knowledge that the 

 provifions on the ifland were not adequate to the additional numbers 

 that were now to be victualled, caufed him to be particularly anxious 

 to get provifions on fhore. The bad weather had feparated the Sirius 

 from the Supply ; but meeting with a favourable flant of wind on the 

 19th, Captain Hunter gained the ifland from which he had been dri- 

 ven, 



