Page:History of Australia, Rusden 1897.djvu/385

This page needs to be proofread.
357
357

PROMISSORY NOTES, &(J. 357 inhabitants may not lose their claims on each other, and for their future accommodation, blank printed forms" were supplied by the government. An Order in 1802 rendered it compulsory to register every assignment of property, un- registered assignments being made illegal. An Ordinance of 1801 prescribed that bakers should use only one quality of flour, Le.y of meal from which 24 lbs. of bran had been taken from 100 lbs. Offending bakers were to be fined £10, and their ovens were to be pulled down. The weight of the loaf was fixed, and (15th May 1801) a General Order notified that for selling a loaf 6 ozs. short in weight a baker's oven had been pulled down and he had been fined. " This notice is inserted to convince every description of persons that the Governor is determined on having his orders enforced." Butchers also were licensed. By a Proclamation (16th March 1802), King announced that he and the magistrates would license two butchers in Sydney and one in Parra- matta. Unlicensed persons would be fined £5 for each offence. No cow, ewe, or breeding sow was to be killed. Weekly returns of the male stock slaughtered were to be given to the Governor. Licensees were to give no more than 13d. per lb. for mutton, and 6d. per lb. for swine's flesh, and to "demand no more than 15d. per lb. for mutton and 8d. per lb. for swine's flesh." In Oct. 1804, the butchers having "combined with a few individuals," further Orders extended the number of licensed butchers to six in Sydney, two at Parramatta, and one at Hawkes- bury. The price of beef was fixed (from the average of tenders) at Is. 9d. per lb., of mutton at Is., and of pork at SJd. Each licensee was to pay £2 sterling to the Orphan Fund. A public brewery was established at Parramatta in 1803. King wrote (Aug. 1803): — "Much barley has been saved this year. I hope a final blow will be given to the desire of obtaining, as well as the importation of, spirits, the yearly difference of which your Lordship will observe by the enclosed return." It was difficult to keep watch over con- vict servants and overseers, and after a time the brewery was let at a rate which returned interest on its cost. Flax and woollen factories were established, and prices for their products were fixed. Salt was made in pans, both in