"No; this day's muster gave only 460. The rest are either sick
and removed to the hospital, or are run away in the woods."
"How much is each labourer's daily task?"
"Seven rods. It was eight, but on their representing to the governor
that it was beyond their strength to execute, he took off one."
Thirteen large huts, similar to those beforementioned, contain
all the people here. To every hut are appointed two men, as hutkeepers,
whose only employment is to watch the huts in working hours to prevent them
from being robbed. This has somewhat checked depredations, and those endless
complaints of the convicts that they could not work because they had nothing
to eat, their allowance being stolen. The working hours at this season
(summer) are from five o'clock in the morning until ten; rest from ten to two;
return to work at two; and continue till sunset. This surely cannot be called
very severe toil; but on the other hand must be remembered the inadequacy
of a ration of salt provisions, with few vegetables, and unassisted by
any liquor but water.
Here finished my remarks on every thing of a public nature at Rose Hill.
But having sufficient time, I determined to visit all the private settlers
to inspect their labours, and learn from them their schemes, their hopes
and expectations.
