The weather was cold and variable. The day-time and night-time
temperatures ranged between as high as 60 degrees and as low as 35
degrees at night. (15.5 C to 1.6 C) The tidal range of the spring tide
was found to be 11 feet (3.35 metres).
It was estimated there were about 1,500 Aborigines living in the
County of Cumberland.
Two store houses were completed. Huts for the batallion
were under construction by 70-100 convicts. Also under
construction was an observatory for
Lieutenant Dawes
on the western point of Sydney Cove and a house for
Major Ross.
The lack of limestone to make mortar
was a major impediment to building despite the ready availabilty of
good stone and brick.
There was been no sign of the missing cattle and most of the sheep
had died but the pigs were thriving.
At Farm Cove the rice, wheat and barley looked promising. Officers were
each allowed 2 acres for a farm in addition to the small garden next to their huts.
There was a great deal of petty crime which was difficult to stop as
the convicts protected each other. None of the officers liked being on the
magistrate and crimanal courts. There were tensions between
Governor Phillip and
Major Ross
and also between Major Ross and some of the officers.
A stuffed kangeroo, an emu skin and botanical specimens were packed for
shipment to England.