Toward the latter end of the month, the settlers at the northern farms were much annoyed by the natives, who came down in a body, and burnt several of their houses.  This was the more unfortunate, as those farms appeared to have had some industry bestowed upon them; and it had not been thrown away; for the land was of a superior quality, and the surrounding country exceedingly picturesque and well-adapted for cultivation.

The bricklayers were not idle during this month at the new granary at Sydney, and were also employed in erecting a house for the master boat-builder.  The timber carriages drawn by oxen were employed in bringing in the beams and joists for the new granary; and a gang was sent up the harbour to cut crooked timber for the boat-builder.  The maize granary at Parramatta was also in a state of forwardness.

On the 14th there was a squall of wind from the southward, attended with a shower of hall stones of an uncommon size, many of them measuring six inches in circumference, and appearing to be an accumulation of smaller hall stones, which had adhered together by the intensity of the cold in the higher region of the air, until they became of the above size.  Much rain fell in this month.

June.] His Majesty’s birthday was observed on the 4th, with all the respect and attention which were so peculiarly its due.

On the 6th, the governor went up to Parramatta, in order to travel into the northern district in search of a proper place for settling as farmers such of the missionaries, lately arrived from Otaheite, as were disposed to continue in the settlement.  He also proposed to fix there some free settlers* who had been lately sent out by the government, if he should find a sufficiency of good ground.  On a minute examination of the country, he had every reason to pronounce it superior to any that had been yet seen, and in quantity equal to the establishment of several families.  The land was not only good and well watered, but every where easily cleared, and at the convenient distance of five or six miles from Parramatta.  Being satisfied with the eligibility of the situation, he recommended it to the missionaries; but some of them appeared so undetermined, that there was reason to believe some officious person had been giving them advice which might not terminate to their advantage.  A few, however, resolved to settle there, and received such a proportion of tools, grain, and assistance, as could be spared them.

[* Of this description of people four had arrived, with their families, in the Barwell.]