Sydney Cove,Port Jackson,New South Wales.
October 1st,1788.Little material has occurred in this colony since the departure of the ships for England,on the 14th July last.On the 20th of that month His Majesty's ship Supply,Captain Ball,sailed for Norfolk Island,and returned on the 26th August.Our accounts from thence are more favourable than were expected.The soil proves admirably adapted to produce all kinds of grain,and European vegetables.But the discovery which constitutes its value is the New Zealand flax,plants of which are found growing in every part of the island in the utmost luxuriancy and abundance.This will,beyond doubt,appear strange to the reader after what has been related in the former part of my work:and in future,let the credit of the testimony be as high as it may,I shall never without diffidence and hesitation presume to contradict the narrations of Mr.Cook.The truth is,that those sent to settle and explore the island knew not the form in which the plant grows,and were unfurnished with every particular which could lead to a knowledge of it.Unaccountable as this may sound,it is,nevertheless,incontestably true.Captain Ball brought away with him several specimens for inspection,and,on trial,by some flax-dressers among us,the threads produced from them,though coarse,are pronounced to be stronger,more likely to be durable,and fitter for every purpose of manufacturing cordage,than any they ever before dressed.