convict settlers held farms of various areas, ranging from
70 to 30 acres, while one was limited to 20.
Naturally it was an object of intense anxiety with Phillip to supply his community with food;[1] but with roads to make, wharves, barracks, and houses to build, live stock to breed, and laws to administer, the progress of agriculture was slow. King was desired to report how soon Norfolk Island could maintain its inhabitants; whether it could absorb more; whether those already on the island were content to remain; what land was in cultivation (Aug., 1788); and generally on the state of affairs. He reported that in two years it might be hoped that the existing population might be maintained by home production; that with twenty more men and women he might make more rapid progress in clearing and cultivating; that he had not found one square yard naturally clear; that he had[2] "two acres and a-half in barley, and one acre in garden ground; in Sept. I shall have an acre in Indian corn and rice;" that there was no safe anchorage, and that vessels were compelled to remove to the lee side of the island as the wind changed; that the productions of the island were timber for shipbuilding, spars, and, "when the flax-plant can be worked, a sufficiency of cordage for the navy of Great Britain, which needs no cultivation, as the island abounds with it, and fresh leaves shoot from the roots;" that everyone was satisfied, and no one wished to be relieved; that occasionally when men could be spared to row, a plentiful supply of fish was obtained. Rats had been so destructive as to tax the ingenuity of the settlers to thin and destroy them.
It was plain that whatever might be done in after-years, an immediate supply of food was problematical. By Dec. 1791, nearly 1000 bushels of wheat and 500 of maize were harvested at Norfolk Island; but before
- ↑ Sir J. Banks told the committee of the House of Commons (1779) that a settlement "must certainly be furnished on landing with a full year's allowance of victuals, raiment, and drink." Lord Sydney, in 1786, told the Lords of the Treasury that "according to the best opinions that can be obtained, it is supposed that a quantity of provisions equal to two years' consumption should be provided." ("Historical Records of N.S. W.," p. 15.)
- ↑ Historical Journal of Transactions at Port Jackson and Norfolk Island," &c. By John Hunter, R.N. London: Stockdale, 1793.
