W. W. (ATTKitWARDs LORBJ ORENVILLE ON NORFOLK Id. 83 in lieu of those which the masters of the transports had originally left behind, an oath might be administered about the facts, and that, to those petitioners '* whose behaviour merited such indulgence," King might grant lands to be cultivated for the benefit of the grantees. If their allega- tions about their sentences should be found true, their grants would be increased; if found untrue, the penalty i would be loss of the land and severe punislimentJ Cultivation of gardens was sedulously promoted in the' meantime. In Nov., 1789, Phillip congratulated King on the success attained at Norfolk Island, adding, and I am, sir. sensible how mneh it is owing to your good conduct and persever* ance." The richness of the soil, though the area cultivated was small, gave hope of abundant crops at the island, and the maize especially aroused hopes. ^' Fis!img-!ines had been made of the native flax, but the manufacture was not understood, and King suggested that information as to the Maori iiietliods should be obtained (6th Dec, 1789). The island with a doubtful supply of daily bread had nOj charms fur some of the convicts. xgam Phillip wrote* (Jan., 1790): ** Those convicts who say their times are expired and wish to return to this settlement shall be sent for as soon as 1 hear from England, till when it is not possible to know whose times are expired, or the time for which any convict has been sentenced." It jars upon the feelings to find that women were flogged upon some occa-i sions. On Christmas Day some attempt was made to arouse kindly feelings proper to the day. Divine service was performed at ten o'clock. Two pigs were killed, and an extra allowance of meat and flour was issued to all on the island.
- " It excites a Bmile to uotice that the Secretary of Stat*" (Greoville),
cheered V>y the accounts of the little island, wrote (June, ]789) that, hut for the great labour and expense already incurred at Sydney, he would, owing to ita fertility, have been *' inclined to recommend that Norfolk Island he made the principal settlement." Phillip wrote (June, 17W) that there was one itiBurmoiintahlti objection — '* there is no harbour or goodj roadatead^ and landing provisions is attended with aonie dififioultiea" — andX added that King, ** who made the settlement — an officer of merit and who could ill be spared, *waa on his way home' to give that utoi«iXwv '^^^x'cJtL could not BO well be conveyed id letters."
