The Sydney Gazette 3 March 1805

THE very capital saltpan at King’s Town was erected in less than a fortnight within a few feet of an excellent coalmine from whence it is supplied with fuel and the water not exceeding four feet from its front. The prodigious utility of that and others sent out by Government, which is to be erected here will be generally felt as has the scarcity of salt hitherto severely been.

ON TUESDAY arrived His Majesty’s colonial vessel Francis, Mr. Edwards Master, from King’s Town with 27 fine cedar logs, eight tons of coal and five tons of excellent salt made there. She was absent from Sydney five days only and was only twelve hours on her return. Lieutenant Menzies, Commandant and Charles Throsby assistant surgeon came passengers.