The Present Picture of New South Wales (1811) by David Dickinson Mann

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Prices of Provisions, and Ration.

The following was the current price of Articles of Food, in
the year 1809:--Wheat 12s. per bushel; maize 5s.
per bushel; barley 5s. per bushel; oats 4s.
6d. per bushel; potatoes 10s. per cwt.; turnips
4d. per bunch; carrots 6d. per bunch; cabbages
3d. each; lemons 6d. per dozen; peaches 2d.
per dozen; apples 2s. per dozen; pears 3s. per
dozen; strawberries 1s. per quart; quinces 2s. per
dozen; water melons 9d. each; musk and other melons
1s. each; apricots 1s. per dozen; mulberries
1s. per quart; Cape gooseberries 8d. per quart;
native currants 8d. per quart; oranges, raspberries,
grapes, plums, almonds, pomegranates, limes, shaddocks, citrons,
pine-apples, nectarines, and guavas, are to be procured; but
their prices are variable, some of them being more scarce than
others. Cucumbers 1d. each, mushrooms 8d. per
quart, French beans 4d. per quart, onions 20s. per
cwt. peas 1s. per quart, beans 9d. per quart,
asparagus 2s. per hundred, artichokes 6d. each,
spinage 1s. per dish, pumpkins 6d. each,
cauliflowers 6d. each, brocoli 6d. per dish, figs
3d. per dozen. Beet-root, lettuces, raddishes, sallad of
all kinds, horse-raddish, samphire, watercresses, celery, endive,
and herbs of every description, are extremely plentiful, and to
be purchased at reasonable rates.

Animal food is to be procured at the following prices:--Beef
1s. 3d. per lb.; mutton 1s. 3d. per
lb.; pork 1s. per lb.; lamb 1s. 3d. per lb.;
kangaroo 8d. per lb. (the flesh of this animal is somewhat
similar in taste to English beef, but rather inferior, owing to
the want of fat); goat mutton 1s. per lb.; turkeys
10s. each; geese 8s. each; ducks 4s. each;
Muscovy ducks 5s. each; fowls 2s. 6d. each;
wild ducks 2s. each; teal 1s. 3d. each;
rabbits 4s. each; roasting pigs 5s. each; pigeons
1s. 3d. each; kids 5s. each; eggs 1s.
6d. per dozen; butter 6s. per lb.; milk 1s.
per quart; cheese 2s. 6d. per lb.; oysters
1s. per quart; and lobsters 1s. each.

Fish is exceedingly numerous of every description, and is very
good as well as moderate in charge. A turtle was caught recently
in Broken Bay, with a hook, weighing seven hundred weight, which
was retailed to the inhabitants at 4d. per lb.

The following is to be considered as a full weekly Ration,
which is issued from the stores whenever there is a sufficiency
without a prospect of want, to those who are in the employ of
government:--Seven pounds of salt beef, or four pounds of salt
pork; eight pounds of flour or meal, or an addition of a quarter
of a pound of wheat to each pound, if it cannot be ground; pease
or other pulse, three pounds; six ounces of sugar in lieu of
butter. The same quantity is to be given by their employer to
those who are indented to settlers, etc.; but as frequent
alterations are necessarily made, according to the pressure of
circumstances, the deficiency is generally made up with
maize.

Trade and Manufactures.

A manufactory has been established for coarse woollen
blanketing or rugs, and coarse linen called drugget; a linen of a
very good quality has also been produced, which has been disposed
of to settlers, etc. and issued from the stores to those who
labour for the crown. The spinning has been done by the female
convicts, and the weaving, etc. by the male. The person who
superintended this department, for some time, was George
Mealmaker, a well-known political character in North Britain; but
he has been dead some years, and the manufactory, which adjoins
the goal at Parramatta, has been almost entirely destroyed by
fire; consequently, the progress which would have been made in
this manufacture has been greatly retarded. When I left the
colony, however, a very deserving, respectable, and persevering
settler, at Hawkesbury, was about to commence in that way on a
very extensive scale; for which laudable purpose he had sown
several acres with flax and hemp, and I am hopeful his exertions
will tend to benefit the colony, to which the establishment of a
manufactory of this description has been long an object ardently
to be desired; and it is to be hoped, that the effort of this new
speculator will be crowned with that success which it so
eminently deserves.

The leather made from the skins of cattle, kangaroo, seal,
etc. are extremely good, and are tanned by a bark which grows
in the settlement, much sooner than a similar operation is
performed in England. The sole leather, in my opinion, cannot be
surpassed in point of goodness; and every improvement which can
arise from competition may be naturally expected, since there are
several persons who follow this line of business both at Sydney
and Parramatta.

Several potteries have been established; but the most
celebrated manufacturer of this description, named Skinner,
lately died. His dishes, plates, basons, covers, cups and
saucers, teapots, and chimney ornaments, were in a very superior
style of workmanship; and other useful articles equally
handsome.

Tobacco-pipes, which, some years ago, at the cheapest periods
cost sixpence each, are now manufactured in the settlement, of a
very good quality, and are retailed for one penny each. The great
propensity to smoking which prevails throughout the colony,
causes an astonishing consumption of this article, and has well
repaid the original speculator.

Salt is made in great abundance from salt water; and large
salt-pans have been erected at Rose Bay, whence, and at
Newcastle, great quantities are made and sent to Sydney. A plan,
however, had been proposed to the governor, for making it by
evaporation, which it was supposed would be carried into effect;
it was in agitation, and was nearly brought to perfection when
this statement was made.

Some very palatable beer is brewed in the settlement, at four
extensive breweries; one at Sydney, one at Kissing Point, one at
Parramatta, and the other at Hawkesbury; and a number of persons
brew their own beer. Some improvements here may yet be looked
for, since at present the grain is malted very badly in the
colony, which I attribute more to the want of proper utensils
than any deficiency of ability. In a short time also they will be
enabled to grow a sufficiency of hops in the settlement for every
purpose, without being compelled, as at present, to have recourse
to the mother country for this necessary article.

Eight wind-mills have been erected for the purpose of grinding
corn; and a water-mill, which had been erected at Parramatta,
has, most unfortunately, been destroyed by a flood, which came on
some time previous to my leaving the colony.

There are four auctioneers, or vendue masters, in the
settlements; two at Sydney, one at Parramatta, and one at
Hawkesbury: They usually charge five per cent. on sales.

The shops are particularly respectable, and decorated with
much taste. Articles of female apparel and ornament are greedily
purchased; for the European women in the settlement spare no
expense in ornamenting their persons, and in dress, each seems to
vie with the other in extravagance. The costliness of the
exterior there, as well as in most other parts of the world, is
meant as the mark of superiority; but confers very little grace,
and much less virtue, on its wearer, when speaking of the dashing
belles who generally frequent the Rocks, who may often be seen of
an evening attired in the greatest splendour, and on the
following morning are hid from public view with extremely mean
attire.

Spirits are also bought up with astonishing rapidity; and,
when prohibited, will ever be obtained by some means or other,
and I have known it to sell as high as thirty shillings per
bottle; the general price by the retailer, however, is from ten
to sixteen shillings per bottle. Most of the people in the
colony, male and female, give way to excessive drinking. Wines
are not so eagerly sought after, and are therefore more
reasonable than might be expected; but if the rage for luxuries
continues to increase in the same proportion as it has done for
the last few years, it must soon obtain an enhanced price, and a
more rapid sale. The evils consequent upon the unrestrained use
of these articles, are such as to justify the most poignant
regrets that they should be held in such estimation by all
descriptions of persons, since they have proved from their first
introduction into the colony, and still continue to be, the
fertile sources of social disorder, of domestic misery, of
disorders, and of death. It is to no purpose that the higher
orders set examples of sobriety and temperance; it is of no avail
that the governor uses every prudent exertion to restrain the
immoderate traffic in these pernicious liquors; threats,
intreaties, and punishments, are equally useless; and while
spirits are to be procured, the inhabitants will possess them at
the price of every other comfort of life.

While on this subject, I shall just take occasion to advert to
a singular circumstance respecting the specie of the settlement.
The copper coin which was sent out by government, and was
originally issued at the close of the year 1800, has most
surprisingly decreased, as very little indeed is now used
currently. This occurrence is so strange in itself, that I am
totally at a loss to account for it, on any principles whatever.
Considering its rapid diminution, I cannot conjecture by what
means the circulation is still kept up; nor, on the other hand,
can I suppose that the coin is caught up for the purposes of
exportation, as it was issued in the colony, in the first
instance, at one hundred per cent. above its real value. The
scarcity of this specie, at all events, operates as an
obstruction to trade; and I think that some steps ought to be
taken to remove the cause of complaint, by filling up the
deficiency which has so unaccountably taken place.

Population.

There are nine thousand three hundred and fifty-six
inhabitants in the settlement, out of which number upwards of six
thousand support themselves, and the rest are victualled and
clothed at the expense of the crown. Most men of a trade or
profession pursue their calling; and labourers are either
employed by settlers to cultivate their lands, and in various
occupations, or work in different gangs, where they can be
serviceable.

When a transport arrives with prisoners, their irons are
immediately knocked off (if this has not been previously done),
unless some powerful reason exists to justify an exception from
this rule. The muster is taken by the commissary, who gives
receipts for every thing belonging to the crown; the list, with
remarks, is given to the governor, who orders them to what part
of the settlement he thinks proper, where the deficiency of hands
in agricultural or other employments renders such an acquisition
desirable.

The behaviour of the prisoners has recently been much less
exceptionable than in the earlier days of the settlement, and
they seem to have accommodated their dispositions, in a great
degree, to their new situations; those who are guilty of theft
have latterly been transported to some remote settlement, and
this system of punishment has been found more efficacious than
the infliction of castigation, or any other corporal punishment,
since they feel an unconquerable repugnance to the idea of a
separation from their old connections and companions, and a
removal to a solitary scene, where they cannot hope for any
opportunities of re-commencing those pursuits which are so truly
congenial to their dispositions.

Natives.

Speaking generally of the natives, they are a filthy,
disagreeable race of people; nor is it my opinion that any
measures which could be adopted would ever make them otherwise.
Their wars are as frequent as usual, and are attended with as
much cruelty both towards men and women. They are still ready at
all times to commit depredations upon the Indian corn, whenever
there is a probability of their attempts being attended with the
desired success; and this predatory disposition renders it
frequently necessary to send detachments of the military to
disperse them; but the utmost care is taken to prevent any fatal
circumstances from attending these acts of needful hostility, and
orders are uniformly issued never to fire upon the natives,
unless any particularly irritating act should render such a
measure expedient. They are amazingly expert at throwing the
spear, and will launch it with unerring aim to a distance of
thirty to sixty yards. I myself have seen a lad hurl his spear at
a hawk-eagle (a bird which, with wings expanded, measures from
seven to ten feet), flying in the air, with such velocity and
correctness as to pierce his object, and bring the feathered
victim to the earth. This circumstance will tend to shew how soon
the youth of these tribes are trained to the use of the spear,
and the dexterity to which they attain in this art before they
reach the age of manhood. Indeed, instances are by no means
uncommon, where an army of natives is seen following a youthful
leader of fifteen or sixteen years of age, and obeying his
directions implicitly, because his previous conduct had been
characterized by remarkable vigour of body, and intrepidity of
mind--virtues which qualify natives of every age and rank for the
highest honours and the most marked distinctions amongst these
untutored sons of nature. Their attachment to savage life is
unconquerable; nor can the strongest allurements tempt them to
exchange their wild residences in the recesses of the country,
for the comforts of European life. A singular instance of this
fact occurred in the case of Be-ne-long, who was brought to
England by Governor Phillip, and returned with Governor Hunter.
For some time after his return, it is true, he assumed the
manners, the dress, and the consequence of an European, and
treated his countrymen with a distance which evinced the sense he
entertained of his own increased importance; and this disposition
was encouraged by every method which suggested itself to the
minds of those of the colony with whom he associated; but,
notwithstanding so much pains had been taken for his improvement,
both when separated from his countrymen, and since his return to
New South Wales, he has subsequently taken to the woods again,
returned to his old habits, and now lives in the same manner as
those who have never mixed with the civilized world. Sometimes,
indeed, he holds intercourse with the colony; but every effort
uniformly fails to draw him once again into the circle of
polished society, since he prefers to taste of liberty amongst
his native scenes, to the unsatisfactory gratification which
arises from an association with strangers, however kind their
treatment of him, and however superior to his own enjoyments.

Yet there are many of the natives who feel no disinclination
to mix with the inhabitants occasionally--to take their share in
the labours and the reward of those who toil. Amongst these there
are five in particular, to whom our countrymen have given the
names of Bull Dog, Bidgy Bidgy, Bundell, Bloody Jack, and another
whose name I cannot call to recollection, but who had a farm of
four acres and upwards, planted with maize, at Hawkesbury, which
he held by permission of Governor King; and the other four made
themselves extremely useful on board colonial vessels employed in
the fishing and sealing trade, for which they are in the regular
receipt of wages. They strive, by every means in their power, to
make themselves appear like the sailors with whom they associate,
by copying their customs, and imitating their manners; such as
swearing, using a great quantity of tobacco, drinking grog, and
other similar habits. These natives are the only ones, I believe,
who are inclined to industrious behaviour, and they have most
certainly rendered more essential services to the colony than any
others of their countrymen, who, in general, content themselves
with assisting to draw nets for fish, for the purpose of coming
in for a share of the produce of others toil.

The general pursuits of the natives, their manners and
customs, have been so accurately described by preceding writers
on the subject, that I shall forbear from entering into more
minute particulars, which would swell my sketch far beyond its
intended limits, and could add nothing to the knowledge of which
the well-informed reader is already possessed. It will be
sufficient to remark, that such as the inhabitants of the
interior of New Holland were represented ten years since, they
still remain, as the antecedent remarks must sufficiently
illustrate: The jealousy of the new settlers, which originally
existed, has indeed entirely vanished; but the proximity of a
civilized colony has not tended in the least to polish the native
rudeness and barbarism, which mark the behaviour of the original
inhabitants of this remote spot of the universe.

Climate.

Although the climate is variable, yet it is very healthy, and
uncommonly fine for vegetation. Most of the disorders which exist
in the settlement are the fruits of intemperance and debauchery,
the necessary result of that fatal addiction to drunkenness,
which produces mental imbecility and bodily decay. Frost is known
but little; at least, ice is very seldom seen; and, I believe,
snow has never yet appeared since the establishment of the
colony: Yet on the highest ridges of the remoter mountains, to
which I have had occasion to allude as never yet having been
passed, snow is to be seen for a long time together; and this
circumstance is a proof of their elevation. The usual weather in
New South Wales is uncommonly bright and clear, and the common
weather there, in spring and autumn, is equal to the finest
summer day in England. This purity and warmth of atmosphere, it
may be naturally inferred, must be particularly favourable to the
growth of shrubs and plants, which flourish exceedingly, and
attain to a degree of perfection and beauty which is unknown to
the inhabitants of this country. The woods and fields present a
boundless variety of the choicest productions of nature, which
gratify the senses with their fragrance and magnificence; while
the branches of the trees display a brilliant assemblage of the
feathered race, whose plumage, "glittering in the sun,"
dazzles the eye of the beholder with its unmatched loveliness and
lustre, and presenting, on the whole, a scene too rich for the
pencil to pourtray--too glowing and animated for the feeble pen
of mortal to describe with half the energy and beauty which
belong to it, and without which description is unfaithful.

Natural History.

This subject has been so well treated, and the various species
of animals, etc. have been so accurately described, by those
who have treated on the history of this colony, that it would be
superfluous in me to re-tread the ground which has been already
so ably trodden. I shall therefore content myself with describing
the few natural productions of the country of New Holland, which
have been discovered subsequent to the latest publication on the
subject, and concerning which, consequently, no information of an
accurate and public nature has yet been transmitted to this
country. The exploration of the works of nature in this immense
tract of the universe, is however still incomplete; and I have no
doubt but the lapse of a few years will tend greatly to the
augmentation of the knowledge we now possess on this interesting
subject, and will prove the fertile source of new delight and
instruction to the mind which can derive enjoyment from that pure
source, the contemplation of nature in her varied and astonishing
works.

The Koolah, or Sloth, a singular animal of the Opossum
species, having a false belly, was found by the natives, and
brought into the town alive, on the 10th of August, 1803. This is
a very singular animal; for when it ascends a tree, at which it
is astonishingly expert, it will never quit it until it has
cleared it of its leaves. It is mostly found in the mountains and
deep ravines to the southward and northward of Broken Bay, and
the natives instantly discover its concealment by observing the
leaves of the Gum-tree eaten off, this being the tree which it
usually selects. It is astonishingly indolent, and is uniformly
found with a companion, locked in each other's arms, as it were.
Its claws are very strong, and are of material service in
assisting it to climb trees; its length from eighteen inches to
two feet; and two stuffed specimens are to be seen in Mr.
Bullock's Museum.

Latterly also, a species of the Hyena has been found at Port
Dalrymple, which is extremely ferocious in appearance, has a
remarkably large mouth, is striped all over, very strongly
limbed, and its claws strong, long, and sharp. This animal is
likewise of the Opossum kind, having, like the generality of
subjects found in New Holland, a false belly. Notwithstanding its
apparent ferocity, it has never yet ventured to attack any human
being, but has confined its ravages to sheep and poultry, amongst
which it has committed frequent and very serious depredations. No
one of these animals, I believe, has hitherto been brought over
to England, either alive or dead, since their native fierceness
renders them less easy of capture than the Koolah.

Flying Mice are likewise found, in considerable numbers, in
this country, of a very handsome appearance, and also of the
Opossum species. The tail of this interesting little animal
resembles a feather; its belly is white, and its back brown; and
it is covered with a down as soft as satin. It flies like an
Opossum. This subject is much regarded for its beauty.

The Porcupine Ant-eaters are found in most parts of the
country, and are esteemed very good eating; they burrow in the
earth, and have a tongue of remarkable length, which they put out
of their mouth, and the ants immediately crowd upon it, as if
lured by some particular attraction, and when it appears to be
pretty well covered, it is drawn in with rapidity, and the
insects are expeditiously swallowed.--Stuffed specimens of these
are also to be seen in the Museum of Mr. Bullock.

Black and white mottled Fern tree was found at the head of
Lane Cove, by Colonel Paterson, about five years since; but it
does not run to any considerable size. It is esteemed a very
handsome wood for the purposes of veneering.

The Spice tree has also been found to the southward: It is a
very strong aromatic, and possesses a more pungent quality than
pepper. This tree produces a berry, which, as well as the bark,
is of a very powerful spicy nature.

Fustic has been discovered at Newcastle--a wood which makes
the finest yellow dye; but it has been hitherto confined to New
South Wales. Indigo was also found in different parts of the
country; but, after a thorough trial of its properties by a
French gentleman of much patience and experience, as well as by
some other individuals of research, it was found impossible to
derive any benefit from it.

Native green currants grow wildly, and make an uncommonly fine
jelly. A wild cherry is also found in the settlement, growing
with the stone on the outside, of a red colour, but nearly unfit
to eat; as also a wild fig, equally nauseous, full of seed, but
eaten by the natives. Strawberries grow to fine perfection; but
no English currant, gooseberry, or cherry trees, are to be seen
in the country: Some were brought from England by Captain Kent,
of the royal navy, and were in a flourishing state, with some
gingers, from Rio de Janeiro, when a fire happened upon that
gentleman's farm, and consumed the whole, which has been a very
great loss to the colony. Pines, far exceeding in size those of
England, are now growing there, but they are scarce; melons, on
the contrary, are very large and plentiful. Botany Bay greens are
procured in abundance; they much resemble sage in appearance, and
are esteemed a very good dish by the Europeans, but despised by
the natives. The bark of a tree called Carajong, which grows like
a willow, is manufactured into ropes of considerable strength. A
single nectarine tree only has been known to bear fruit, which is
in the Government Garden. Some coffee trees were planted by a
Frenchman (Mons. Declambe), but he unfortunately died before he
could bring them to perfection.

The shrubs and plants of this country are all evergreens, and
numbers of them are to be seen, covered with beautiful blossoms,
at all seasons of the year. Jeraniums flourish in such abundance,
that, in various parts of the settlement, they are made into
hedges, and are so thick as to be almost impenetrable; they are
always in leaf and flower, and emit an odour of the most fragrant
nature, perfuming the surrounding atmosphere.

Cedar, and coals, of a very fine quality, are the produce of
the Newcastle district, and are procured with very little
trouble. Manna has also been found near Port Dalrymple, made by
the locusts on the trees, from which it drops in very
considerable quantities. But the most prizable subjects which
have been discovered here are, the valuable stones; of which the
white, yellow, and large brilliant Topazes, are considered of far
greater worth than those which are produced in any part of the
Brazils; since I was informed, when at Rio Janeiro, in the month
of August, 1809, by a number of gentlemen of the best
information, amongst whom were the Marquis de Pomball and the
Judge Consalvadore, that none which had been found on that coast,
could bear a comparison with those of New Holland.

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