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its settlement been so long without arrivals of ships and supplies, consequently the prices of such things as we cannot grow here are exorbitant. There has not been for a long time any supply of soap; some few pounds have been sold at 10s. or even 12s. a pound. Salt meat is 1s. 2d., and fresh meat 1s. 8d. It is well for those who have not to go into the market largely. Having my own sheep and my own flour, I feel these prices but little. This ship brought literally nothing but the sheep for us. It is absurd to look into the dealers' shops now; there is not so much in them all as would fill a cobbler's stall. The Governor and Mr. Roe are on a little excursion to the south. We have got our Council business over, and there is now a cessation.
July 3rd.—My last letter was closed on Friday, and sent by the Tamar, which sailed on Monday for the Isle of France. I went down to Perth on Sunday night, in order to be there in time for the sessions, which commenced on Monday morning. There were but five persons to be tried. One white man, for larceny, received a sentence of six months' imprisonment. A Lascar was also found guilty of larceny and was sentenced to twelve months' imprisonment, this being his third offence of the same nature. Two of our own aborigines were indicted for house breaking, and one of them received a sentence of seven years' transportation, and the other twelve months' imprisonment, the latter being but a boy. Another native, for murdering a native woman in the street, was condemned to be executed, but I suppose he will be reprieved. This was all our business. It was all over by one o'clock. The Governor, not having yet returned from the south, and having nothing to detain me long in Perth, I came away yesterday evening, fearing that this day would be very unfavourable, as a storm appeared approaching. The storm has come on; there has been much rain to-day. Killed a wether this morning, weighing 34lbs. We consider that a good weight at this time of year; it was not a year old. I
