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Sydney, in the sixth year of its establishment, cost the Government £161,000 for that year. For this colony, £18,000 per annum is the allowance; but we hope for more encouragement.
8th.—Crossing the river after breakfast, on my way to Mr. Bull's, I had to walk across a tree, up to my middle in the water—this was more wetting than I had calculated on. On reaching the other side, I had to take off my trowsers and wring the wet out of them, and then sit in the sun in Highland costume, until they were dry: afterwards I dined at Mr. Tanner's. To-morrow I shall visit Guildford, to attend an agricultural meeting; and it is probable that I shall not be at home again for some days, as Tuesday next will be my court day.
I have just heard that H.M.S. Challenger, Captain Freemantle, has arrived from India, on her way from thence to Hobart's Town, Sydney, New Zealand, Otaheite, Pitcairn Islands, and South America; and that she has landed a seasonable supply of provisions.
Since Colonel Hanson left this, he has published in India a pamphlet, which I hope soon to see.
9th.—This letter, or diary, or whatever else you may please to call it, I shall dispatch by the Challenger to Hobart's Town, whence it will be forwarded, though it is difficult to say precisely when it may reach you; but in the hope that no accident will attend its transmission, I continue my journal.
Our Lieutenant Governor (Captain Irwin), Mr. and Mrs. Browne, and Captain Freemantle, made an excursion recently to the head of the river, in order to give the latter gentleman an opportunity of seeing the country: he was greatly delighted with it, and the weather was very favourable. Captain Freemantle went on the same day to his ship, and sailed the next morning, taking with him a select party of three convicts, whom we have transported from this, and sent to Van Diemen's Land.
