I799-] 



OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 



5*7 



fully obtained. It was conje&ured, that this meafure of regiftering 

 fhips was preparatory to the eftablifhment of duties and a cuftom- 

 houfe. 



By the Walker four iron twelve-pounders were received, and in- 

 formation that copper coin to the amount oL 550I. was in the Por- 

 poife, whofe arrival might be daily looked for. This would certainly 

 have been a mo ft comfortable accommodation to the people in their 

 various dealings with each other; as it might have been marked, to 

 prevent its being taken out of the colony. If it mould ever be found 

 convenient by Government to order a frlver coinage for the ufe of the 

 fettlement, if it was fixed at not more than half or two thirds of the 

 mtrmfic value of what it might pafs for, fo as to render the lofs con- 

 ftderableto any one attempting to carry it away, it would be felt as a 

 confiderable advantage, and would effectually prevent the forgeries to ■ 

 which a. paper currency is liable. 



The wheat crops in this month, nearly ready for the reaper, wore 

 the moft promifrng appearance; the ftalks every, where, particularly 

 at the Hawkefbury, bending beneath the weight of the richeft ears of 

 corn ever beheld in any country. But, like other countries, a crop 

 was never to be reckoned in this, until it was gathered intothe barn. 

 About the middle of the month there fell a very heavy itorrn of rain 

 and hail from the S. E. that beat all the fruit off the trees, and de~ 

 ftroyed the gardens in and about Sydney, doing much damage to the 

 wheat, particularly at the Hawkefbury, where it likewife beat down 

 one end of the public {tore. This deftrudive weather, having fub- 

 fided for a day, recommenced and continued to rage, attended with 

 tremendous peals of thunder and flames of lightning, for the fpace of; 

 five days without intermiffion, when it again cleared up; and to in- 

 creafe the vexation, myriads of caterpillars were found deftroying the 

 young maize. 



That it might be exactly known what was the produce of this year's 

 harveft, proper people were appointed, by order of the Governor, 



to 



