Q. 10.  What live stock do you wish to have sent you?

Ans.  Stock of any kind would be acceptable for breeding.  I have no she-goats.  The leaves of the trees and underwood, afford ample and wholesome food for many animals, and the fern-tree, which is very plentiful, is very good food for hogs.

Q. 11.  Are those who are with you satisfied, or do they wish to be relieved?

Ans.  Every one is satisfied, and no person wishes to be relieved.

Q. 12.  What weather have you in general?

Ans.  During the months of March and April, we had very fine weather; since when, it has been variable; and when the wind has been at south, and south-west, the air was raw and cold.  The full and change of the moon has generally been accompanied with very heavy gales of wind and torrents of rain, from the north-east, or south-west, both of which have been very violent at times.  We have had no thunder or lightning, nor ice.

Q. 13.  What are the prevailing winds?

Ans.  The winds have been variable:  westerly winds appear to be most frequent during the winter, and I have great reason to suppose easterly winds are constant during the summer.

Q. 14.  Have you been at the small islands?

Ans.  I have been round Nepean Island once, but could not land on it, the wind being westerly, which made a great break in the small sandy bay which lies on the south-west side of that isle.  My not having men to row, and the uncertainty of the weather, has prevented my going to Phillip isle.

Q. 15.  Are there any animals on the island, and of what kind are they?

Ans.  None but rats, which are distructive, and have been very numerous; but now they are much thinned.

Q. 16.  Have you found any lime or chalk stone?

Ans.  None.

Q. 17.  Have you been supplied with fish?

Ans.  Fish in great numbers, and of a large size, abound all round the island.  Some turtle were caught soon after I landed, but the approach of cold weather drove them off.  I have not been able to send the boat off so often as I wished, not having men to row, but when she has gone out, a plentiful supply of fish has been obtained.

* * *

At sun-rise on the 12th of August, we hoisted the colours, in observance of the birth-day of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales; and the same day a rood and an half of ground was sown with a peck of seed wheat, which I received by the Supply.

From this time till the 17th, every person was employed in clearing a piece of ground to sow the remainder of the seed wheat, which was brought by the Supply; and this being completed, I sent the labourers to clear away, turn up, and plant half an acre of ground in Arthur’s Vale, with Indian corn.