was at all times conspicuous, directed that no alteration should he made in the ration to be issued to the women.  They were already upon two thirds of the man’s allowance; and many of them either had children who could very well have eaten their own and part of the mother’s ration, or they had children at the breast; and although they did not labour, yet their appetites were never so delicate as to have found the full ration too much, had it been issued to them.  The like reduction was enforced afloat as well as on shore, the ships’ companies of the Sirius and Supply being put to two thirds of the allowance usually issued to the king’s ships.  This, as a deduction of the eighths allowed by custom to the purser was made from their ration, was somewhat less than what was to be issued in the settlement.

Thus opened the month of November in this settlement; where, though we had not the accompanying gloom and vapour of our own climate to render it terrific to our minds, yet we had that before us, in the midst of all our sunshine, which gave it the complexion of the true November so inimical to our countrymen.

It was soon observed, that of the provisions issued at this ration on the Saturday the major part of the convicts had none left on the Tuesday night; it was therefore ordered, that the provisions should be served in future on the Saturdays and Wednesdays.  By these means, the days which would otherwise pass in hunger, or in thieving from the few who were more provident, would be divided, and the people themselves be more able to perform the labour which was required from them.  Overseers and married men were not included in this order.

On the 7th Captain Hunter brought the Sirius into the cove completely repaired.  She had been strengthened with riders placed within board, her copper had been carefully examined, and she was now in every respect fit for sea.  Previous to her quitting the careening cove, Mr. Hill, one of the master’s mates, having had some business at Sydney, was landed on his return early in the morning on the north shore, opposite Sydney Cove, from whence the walk to the ship was short; but he was never afterwards heard of.  Parties were sent day after day in quest of him for several days.  Guns were fired from the Sirius every four hours, night and day, but all to no effect.  He had met with some fatal accident, which deprived a wife of the pleasurable prospect of ever seeing him return to her and to his friends.  He had once before missed his way; and it was reported, when his loss was confirmed, that he declared on the fatal morning, when stepping out of the boat, that he expected to lose himself again for a day or two.  His conjecture was more than confirmed; he lost himself for ever, and thus added one to the number of those unfortunate persons who had perished in the woods of this country.

On the 11th the Supply sailed for Norfolk Island, having on board provisions and six male and eight female convicts for that colony.  She was to stop at Lord Howe Island, to endeavour to procure turtle for this settlement; a supply of which, in its present situation, would have been welcomed, not as a luxury, but as a necessary of life.