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The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser (NSW : 1803-1842) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article626463
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SYDNEY
His Majesty's ship Buffalo and her small squadron taking advantage of the first favour able wind, got clear of the Heads at half past 11 in the forenoon of Monday last, and were out of sight by two in the afternoon.
On Monday last: John Maxwell, employed in providing fodder for Government cattle, was detected in having converted to his own pecuniary purposes the provender so procured to the extreme probable injury of the said cattle, in consequence whereof he was senten-
ced to and received a severe corporal punish ment;- The offender was then ordered in irons to hard labour on the hired Government
grounds at Cornwallis Place, as was John McLaughlan also, for aiding and abetting in the offence ; the purchaser being commanded to restore immediately the quantity so pur- loined. This example will, it is to be hoped shew the eccessity the strictest caution in purchasing or receiving,, under any species of pre.ence, this or any other article of which the smallest doubt of the propriety of its being vended can be formed, as the re- ceiver thereby becorne, accessary to the fact, though in some cares through thoughtless inadvertency ; and must in conscience reproach himself as the real cause of every affliction that may befal the thoughtless offender, who can alone be actuated by the accommoda- tion and encouragement held out as a reward to his guilt.
On Tuesday, night last a dreadful ravage was made at Long Cove by native dogs upon the joint flock of Messrs. Mann and Kable.
Six ewes were found dead, 11 others were torn and mangled so shockingly as that few were expected to recover from their wounds,
and 35 were at first missing, all but four of which have since fortunately been found.- The stock-keaper was in the course of Wed- nesday apprehended, on strong suspicion that the loss was occasioned by his total negli- gence of the charge committed to him. - Unwilling palpably to ascribe so serious a mischance to such a cause before it be re-
gularly ascertained upon mature investiga- tion, yet generally considered, there is but
little doubt that most of the accidents of the above kind are more or less to be attributed to the negligence of the indolent herdsman, in whom a want of vigilance is a crime, not to be measured by the extent of actual da- mage sustained, but by its possible conse- quences to a species of property, a strict at- tention to the care of which must in this
Colony be long considered an object, of the first importance.
The following are the particulars of the unfortunate circumftances attending the death of the child at Hawkesbury last Monday fe'nnight in consequence of the bite of a snake. Two sons of Mr. John Howorth,
settler, went together among some standing and fallen timber, to look after a small flock. The eldest boy, sitting near a large tree in which three apertures had been cut for the purpose of searching after the bandycoot, unhappily stretched one of his arms within the hollow, and suddenly withdrawing it much terrified, acquainted his brother that he had received a bite from a black snake. The poor little fellow, conscious or his dan- gar, with an air of despondency remarked that he should soon die; and complaining of sudden illness, made an effort to return home- ward. But his faculties yielding to irresist- ible lethargy and stupor, he lost his way be- fore he had proceeded many paces, and was observed by a neighbouring settler, who en- quiring what ailed him, received in a feeble tone the information of his illness, but with- out aligning any cause of complaint. The good man took him into his house, and lay him on his bed. The parents were made acquainted with the state the child was in, and immediately attended him ; but he was thse wholly insensible, and continued so du- ring the short remaining period of his exist-
ence. About four in the afternoon the dole- ful accident occurred ; and at about the same hour the following morning he expired, to the extreme regret of his parents, who were totally unacquainted with the cause of his death until after the event had taken place ;
when the other disclosed the above circum- stance, and the body being examined, a. wound appeared upon the Ieft arm, thro' which the noxious viper had poured the con- taminating fluid.
Among other instances of virulence in the poison of the loathsome repile is that of a valuable dog, bit some time since whilst in pursuit of a kangaroo. The animal made a sudden stand, foamed at the mouth, his eyes fixed and glaring ; and was supposed to have been seised suddenly with a hydrophobia expiring in less than five minutes from the first appearance of affection. The viper was shortly after discovered near the spot
upon which the dog had fallen, and was instantly killed ; but from which circum- stance it was concluded, that the departed animal had never stirred from the posture in which he received the contagion until he fell lifeless, when a quantity of air which had swelled him to an immoderate degree, instantly evaporated.
There are certain improprieties which we sometimes are induced to gloss over upon the scene of convenience, or perhaps necessity ; among the number of which is to be reckoned that of too early endeavouring to render use- ful, though as it may sometimes happen at the exposure of its life, the innocent to whom nature has endeared us by the strong ties of parental affection. The woods, particularly during the summer season, are known to be pregnant with danger, sometimes unavoidable to persons arrived to years of caution an dis- cretion. As this is too well known to be the case, from experience taught by many fatal accidents, how heedless, if not unjust and un- feeling must it seem, to expose youth and in- experience to the dangers of the talk ; inde- pendent of probable fatality in the perform- ance of which, we should be conscious that by
doing so the little creature must sustain ir- retreivable injury from the neglect of even a common education ; without which few dif-
ferences except in speech and form distinguish the human from the animal creation. Cer- tainly a proper care of those whom indulgent Heaven enables and requires us to provide would convey a far more grateful sentiment
to the liberal mind than could possibly be
derived form any little service that can be rendered by their incompetent exertion in agricultural or domestic concerns, at least until they arrive at a proper age to share our worldly labours ;- then should we be amply requited in a charming prospect, whose basis has been formed upon a virtuous early in-
struction.
On Friday fe'nnight information was re- ceived by the inhabitants of Prospect from several natives, of the dead body of a white man being in the woods ; and further that he had been an exile from society for a length of time, and had fallen a victim to grief and famine. This was probaoly one of the thoughtless bandits who in the beginning of March last joined the party of insurgents ; and fearful that after the expiration of the term limited by His Excellency for the exten- sion of mercy to those that should surrender themselves chose rather to perish in a state of misery the most deplorable that can be depictured to the mind, than prostrate him- self at the feet of an authority which has in- variably evinced a benevolent desire of snatch- ing the penitent from destruction and despair.
Strange, very strange that man should himself prepare the dreadful storm whose rage must fall upon himself alone.
We are sorry to state, that the late rains and heat have produced a number of destruc- tive grubs and flies, which have greatly da- maged the growing crops of all kinds, and more particularly the backward wheat, flax, and maize. As the early wheat is generally filled, it is hoped that grain will not suffer much ; bat it has been necessary to pull the half grown flax, and all the grounds planted in maize must be re-planted.
The Barley harvest has commenced at Hawkesbury ; but its produce will be small in comparison to that of former years, owing
to the rains and very mild weather in the winter and spring bringing that grain too far
forward.
Those whose crops are suffering from the grub and fly are recommended to turn all the poultry they can collect on their grounds, a similar method having preserved one year's crop of wheat on Norfolk Island in 1799.
"The discovery of a preventative to flies destroying turnip crops, for which two hun- dred, guineas were given at Mr. Coke's sheep shearing, is to sow two pounds oí radish seed on every acre of turnip land with the turnip seed, which is found so to attract the flies as to prevent their proving injurious to the turnips."
On Monday last a sawyer expired suddenly at the Hawkesbury, while employed in his profession.
Upwards of 2300 gallons of beer has been made at the Government Brewery at Parramatta, since it first began on the 16th of last month : the malt kilns and coppers, with the brewing materials and large premi-
ses allotted for that purpose, are capable of brewing 1800 gallons a week; and when
some additional working tubs are made, up
wards of 3000 gallons can be brewed weekly, provided the supply of barley and hops con- tinues. The raising and supplying of barley will greatly depend on the settlers ; in ex- change for which they are assured of beer :- And it is hoped, from the favourable appear- ance of the few hop plants, raised from seed brought in 1802, that the Colony will posses this necessary ingredient for ensuring that wholesome, cheap, and nourishing drink.
The following account of a Death copied from a London Paper, gives a strong in instance of the superiority of a malt liquor to any
other in preserving the constitution and hereby conducing to longevity:- " Died lately at Richmond, in the County of Surrey,
John Towers, aged 77 years: he was born in Winsham, near Bagshot, in the year 1725 ; by his first wife he had fifteen chil-
dren, the youngest of whom now twenty five years of age; by his second wife seven, the youngest of whom is three years old : he was a great grandfather ; had worked in the farming business all his life, and had been a useful member of society. In his hours of conviviality he drank ale only -- let the sqallid gin drinker copy his example. "
Last Monday eight Rams, of the Spanish and English breed, were sold by the hammer at the Green Hills, pursuant to advertise-
ment-- the net produce averaging 5 guineas
a head.
Last week we were favoured by a group of natives with a warlike spectacle, to the extreme danger and annoyance of every passenger. The opponent warriors had made choice of the new bridge for the cele- bration of the games, and the threatening spear whistled responsively to the uncouth jargon of a hundred tongues. Changing the scene of action to Bennelong's Point, they re- commenced hostility, which after a display of several hours terminated without blood-
shed. The obstinate fracas had originated in a cruel adherence to custom, no less bar- barous shan absurd. The lady of the cele- brated Wilhamanan had experienced the fate of a fair Sabine ; and after enduring the
brutal rigours consequent upon resistance, was forcibly borne off in savage triumph, and, agreeable to the rules of Chivalry, con- cealed from mortal eye within a subterranean recess. The champion sought her diligently, but with sentiments far different from those of Menelaus : for when in their high dis- pleasure the Fates consented to their inter- view, he requited an attachment manifested as hers had resolutely been almost at the expence of life, by darting a spear which pierced the unfortunate creature through the. body. Her death being reported gave rise
to the above conflict ; but as this report since
proves unfounded, custom is satisfied, and the general harmony once more established.