On the 24th, King went on board the Supply, and sailed for Sydney, leaving a population of
He left with them 250 to 300 bushels of wheat, six bushels of barley, 130 to 140 bushels of Indian corn, and one acre of potatoes to be dug in May. There was a small stock of pigs, poultry, and goats, with one ewe. Without speedy relief starvation was sure.
Meantime in Sydney great efforts were made to eke out the scanty supply of food by substituting a proportion of ten pounds of fish for two and a-half pounds of pork. No pigs were allowed to be killed "under three months old," nor without information first given to head-quarters. "The provisions, when all collected under one roof and into one view, afforded but a melancholy reflection-it was well that we had even them."[1]
On the 27th March, no relieving vessel having arrived, the weekly rations were reduced to four pounds of flour, two and a-half pounds of pork, and one pound and a-half of rice, with a less proportion for women. In November, 1789, many convicts consumed their rations so heedlessly, that of food issued on Saturday none was left on Tuesday night, and in Nov., 1789, provisions were issued twice in the week. In March, 1790, it was found necessary to serve out the food "daily to every person in the settlement without distinction." Similar regulations were made by the Governor at (Rose Hill) Parramatta. "The garden ground was enlarged, those who were in bad huts were placed in better, and everything was said that could stimulate them to be industrious. The night-watch was in perpetual activity, for robberies were nightly attempted or committed."
- ↑ Collins.
