PABAMATTA BIVEB . 
167 
discovery of the eastern coast of Australia by Captain 
Cook ; so it was a festal time for the colony ; and the 
result of the exposition of Australian industry was 
a thorough success. Every year the Agricultural 
Society hold their exhibitions here ; and in this 
building the Society gave their annual ball, at 
which many of the “ Challengers ” had the pleasure 
of attending, as also those given by the officers of 
H.M.S. Pearl and the Hon. John Campbell. 
Belmore Park and a tract of 500 acres of land on 
the south-east side named Moore Park are the other 
recently formed reserves. 
I must not omit to mention the Masonic Hall, as 
it was here the Challenger s ball was given, proving 
a thorough success, and giving the greatest satis- 
faction to our large company. * * * 
Before closing my sketch of Sydney, I must return 
once more to the beauties of Farm Cove, and the 
pleasant times spent there. * * * 
Beyond our anchorage the harbour wanders in- 
definitely into all sorts and sizes of pretty bays and 
arms of the sea, the longest being that which finally 
ends in the Paramatta Biver, up which small steam- 
boats run hourly. The scenery on its shores is very 
charming ; passing rugged islands and cliffs and 
rocky tree-covered shores, dotted here and there with 
pretty villa residences. It was on its banks that I spent 
some of the most pleasing of my days in the colony. 
At about seven miles’ run is situated 64 Rhodes,” 
