248 ACCOUNT OF THE ENGLISH COLONY [February, 



maize and wheat ; in addition to which, the Lieutenant-Governor 

 fuppofed that he mould have that feafon, after referving five hundred 

 bufheis for feed, fufficient of that article for the confumption of fix 

 hundred and ninety-nine perfons *, the whole number of people 

 victualled there from the (tores, for fourteen weeks, at the rate of ten 

 pounds per man per week ; and fifty-eight weeks' maize, at twelve 

 pounds per week. He had befides, at the eftablifhed ration, twelve 

 weeks' beef, twenty-nine weeks' pork, five weeks' molafles, and thirty 

 weeks' oil and fugar. The whole forming an abundance that feemed 

 to place the evil hour of want and diftrefs at too great a diftance to 

 excite much alarm or apprehenfion of its occurring there. 



The fettlement had been fo healthy, that no lofs by death had hap- 

 pened fince their laft account ; and when the fchooner failed very few 

 were fick. Only fixty-three perfons had died in the laft two years 

 and fixty-three days ; in which time ninety-five children had been 

 born j\ Every defcription of ftock, except fome Cape flieep which 

 did not breed, was equally healthy as the inhabitants, and were in- 

 creafing faft. 



The two natives of New Zealand, who had been fent to Mr. King, 

 having completed the purpofe for which they had been fent (by giving 

 fuch inftru&ion in the procefs of preparing the flax-plant, that even 

 with very bad materials a few hands could manufacture thirty yards 

 of good canvas in a week), and having manifefted much anxiety, on 

 the appearance of any fhip, to return to their friends and native 

 country, though treated with every attention and kindnefs that could 

 difpel their fears and conciliate their good opinion, Mr. King thought 

 this a favourable opportunity of gratifying their willies (the Britannia 

 having called at the ifland in her way to Bengal). That they might 



* The whole number in the fettlement amounted to one thoufand and eight perfons. 



f By the CommilTary's books there were, on the 20th of February 1794, two hundred and 

 fifty -four children in the three fettlements at Port Jackfon. On the 30th of January, by Lieu- 

 tenant Governor King's return, there were one hundred and forty- eight children at Norfolk, 

 making a total of four hundred and two. 



not 



