1825   1827   1828    1829   1830   1831    1832   1833    1837   1841  1842

1825

Bahtahbah - Land grant of 10,000 acres made to London Missionary Society. Mission closed in 1829 and land reverted to Crown

1827

FEBRUARY

On Sunday last at 20 minutes past 2 in the afternoon, the thermometer was up to 112 in the shade at Wilberforce. At the Steam Engine, in Sydney it was 114. At Newcastle our Correspondent writes, it was as high as 103 at half past 8 in the evening in a verandah. The gale that came on from the South east, however, assisted the intense heat, though the fires in the surrounding woods, and on the borders of Lake Macquarie, were kindled afresh, and presented hills covered with flames, which being reflected on the  lake, are said to have formed a truly magnificent scene.

At Moon Island, in the vicinity of Hunter's River, a number of hoops and staves have been picked up by the natives, and given over to the Rev. Mr. Threlkeld. A small oval water cask, with broad hoops and painted, apparently belonging to a boat, has also been found on the beach. Sydney Gazette 8 February 1827

 "A discovery which it is expected will turn out to be a valuable one, has been recently made by the Reverend Mr. Threlkeld, at Lake Macquarie, in the district of Reid's Mistake. He was about to build a chimney with what he considered to be a very fine black stone, which he had found in abundance in the neighbourhood of his dwelling, when, upon close inspection, he ascertained it to be what is called in England cannel coal (I think it is so spelt). The overseer of the Newcastle mines has been at Reid's Mistake to examine the coal, and he reports it to be of a very superior quality, far beyond the Newcastle coal. The vein lies almost on the surface of the earth, and can therefore be worked at a trifling expense. First comes a layer of inferior coal, three feet thick, which is immediately succeeded by another layer of excellent coals about five feet thick and then comes the cannel coal three feet thick, which can be taken out in solid masses a yard square. These coals have been discovered on the banks of Lake Macquarie, from which an  easy communication can be opened with another lake, only about one hundred yards distant, which the stockeepers say empties itself into the sea somewhere about Bungaree's Norah ( a bay a little to the southward of Broken Bay) but the black natives insist that the lake communicates with Broken Bay itself. Should this latter be the fact, and it will soon be ascertained, the facility of communication from thence to Sydney by water carriage will greatly enhance the value of the discovery; but should it turn out otherwise, still it must be considered important. The bar of the river at Reid's Mistake, communicating with Lake Macquarie has only four feet and a half of water on it at low water, but there is good anchorage outside for vessels of moderate burthen, equal, at all events, to the outer anchorage at Port Macquarie with any wind except a strong North Easter, or when blowing a southerly gale, in which latter case the port of Newcastle would be open for their reception. The Australian 13 June 1827

6 tons of coal; 93 bags of wheat; 1 pipe ditto; 1 hogshead ditto; 3 cases of cheese; 2 bags of maize; 1 ditto of potatoes; 1 cask of tallow; 1 cake of ditto; 11 kegs of butter; 6 harness casks of butter; 1 box of eggs; 1 tin case; 7 bullock hides; 3 bundles of kangaroo skins; 10 specimens of coals from Reid's Mistake; 7 Do. Do. from Do; 1 horse; Steerage Passengers, Five. The Australian 20 June 1827

1828

NOVEMBER

Convicts assigned to Rev. Threlkeld at Bahtahbah Mission (Belmont) in 1828:

Charles Adams, Michael Barry, Michael Dwyer, John McKar, John Ryan, James Silk, Elizabeth Smith - 1828 Census

1829

SEPTEMBER

Caution - I hereby caution all persons whose cattle and horses are now trespassing on my lands, situated at the head of Lake Macquarie, to remove the same forthwith as after this notice, I am determined to impound any found so trespassing. - James St. J. Ranclaud (Sydney) - Sydney Gazette 22 September 1829

OCTOBER

The following persons are permitted to Depasture their Live Stock on the Lands adjoining their respective Properties, as under mentioned, on the Conditions specified in the Regulations of the 16th October 1828, namely -

That they pay rent for the same, at the rate of two shillings and six pence sterling per annum for every hundred acres.

That they abandon the said Lands at any Time, on receiving one months notice and

That these Lands be distinctly understood to be still open to the Selection of authorised Grantees or Purchasers.

They are accordingly informed that they will be expected to pay the said Rent from the 1st of the ensuing month.

Lake Macquarie - J. St. J. Ranclaud, 2560 , Two thousand five hundred and sixty acres, adjoining the Western Boundaries of his grant, and that of the Land he has applied for Permission to purchase

1830

JULY

The following persons are permitted to Depasture their Live Stock on the Lands adjoining their respective Properties, as under mentioned, on the Conditions specified in the Regulations of the 16th October 1828, namely -

That they pay rent for the same, at the rate of two shillings and six pence sterling per annum for every hundred acres.

That they abandon the said Lands at any Time, on receiving one months notice and

That these Lands be distinctly understood to be still open to the Selection of authorised Grantees or Purchasers.

They are accordingly informed that they will be expected to pay the said Rent from the 1st of the ensuing month.

Northumberland -  Lake Macquarie - Jonathan Warner (5000) Five Thousand Acres, at Biddaba, bounded on the North by his own Land, and on the West by Lake Macquarie, having two sections frontage on the Lake

1831

MARCH

On Sunday last a small vessel belonging to Mr. Cape, of Sydney, was wrecked at Lake Macquarie. She was laden with shingles. The crew, consisting of four men, fortunately saved themselves by swimming; but the whole of the cargo, and everything else which the vessel contained, were lost. On the following day, the crew obtained some assistance, and succeeded in raising the vessel. Sydney Gazette 12 March 1831

CIVILIZATION OF THE BLACKS

To the Editor of the Sydney Gazette

Sir,

Several letters having recently appeared respecting the aborigines of this colony, allow me to contribute my mite of opinion respecting the sable tribes. Five years have elapsed, during which period my attention has principally been, and continues to be, directed to the attainment of their language preparatory to the instruction of the blacks in the knowledge of the Sacred Scriptures, and I am often surprised at the strange opinions broached respecting the natives. Some affirm that they have "no religious superstitions - no idea of a Supreme Being, or even of a false god" - no notion of any religion, whether false or true, and this has been urged as "the greatest impediment to their civilization and moral improvement". That erroneous impressions should arise, when the means of thoroughly investigating have not been obtained, is a natural consequence few will deny, and such has been universally the case in this instance from ignorance of the language by which alone satisfactory evidence cold be obtained. I would not presume to intimate that my present acquirements are sufficient to enter largely on this intricate subject, but hope by steady perseverance to be enabled in a few years to obtain every necessary information. That the blacks have an idea of a supernatural being. I have been long informed, and on reading the passage referred to above, I immediately went to an aged black named Moses, and enquired respecting Kon (pronounced Cone) a being of which they are in continual dread. The following questions and answers being given in their own language, our mutually understanding each other need not be questioned.

Q. Why are the blacks afraid to die? A. Why should they be (an usual answer to any question)

Q. Tell me why are they afraid? A. Because of Kon

Q. Who is Kon? A. Who can he be?

Q. Tell me in your language, who is Cone? A. Kon is a savage being

Q. Did you ever see him? A. No

Q. Where then is he" A. He is in the woods everywhere, pointing with his hand

Q. Then how is it that you have never seen him? A. Whenever he sees the blacks coming, for he always looks about, he goes down into the ground

Q. How can he go down; has he not a body like mine? A. No

Q. What is he like? A. He is like the rainbow, like your horse, he can go any where

Q. Who was his father, his mother? A. We do not known; he had none; he lived before us; all the blacks are afraid of him. There is another being. Pirrirore, they are afraid of, who eats, they say, children in the woods, and his wife, it is said, is sometimes seen. The abstinence of the blacks on particular occasions from Kangaroo, fish, birds, etc is surely an evidence of religious superstition, as well as the ceremonies used at the Interment or burning of the dead. Transmigration or ideas very near akin to it prevail. Their pretensions to stop the sun in his course, to cause rain or wind, and numberless other vain customs, prove they have notions very superstitious. Were it not derogatory to our belief in the all sovereign power of the Gospel, it might be reasonable urged, on the principles of the wisdom of the world, that in the absence of "religious principles strongly interwoven into all their systems of government and transactions with each other, and being without a priesthood where craft would be in danger, the liveliest hopes may be entertained of their reception of the truths when presented in their own language to their unfettered, though unenlightened minds. To a few imperfect attempts to instruct, they have listened, but not sneered; they have often forgotten, but observe, we shall know all by and bye when the book is done, alluding to the translation of Lake, and in no instance have they boasted of their systems as the infuriated priests in the islands have before the reception of the Gospel. "I" says an old Hierarch of Raa, "knew Jehovah; before ever he was born I was in heaven, and I will drive him from the heavens, banish him to the utmost stretch of the skies, and bake his baptized followers in that flaming oven!" Surely the absence of such ideas, or such systems, or such a spirit, ought not to be deplored or urged as one of the greatest impediments to their moral improvements! It is further asserted as another difficulty, that their native character is opposite to the South Sea islanders. Now, making allowances for localities, it does not appear to me, after many years residence amidst each, that such is truly the case. The soft wood of the bread fruit tree was formerly adzed out with a stone to form a canoe, and the sour bread fruit was buried in a pit, but further than this, there was no mechanic, no storehouse or barn, the seasons and native habits required them not. And the Australian black, amidst forests or iron wood, strips the bark, forms a canoe, and soaks a kind of nut in swamps or water holes, until wet or windy weather prevent their hunting labours. Thus their daily wants being daily supplied, there exists necessity for tomorrow's care. "It is true, there are in the islands which have embraced Christianity, native mechanics of various trades; carpenters, sawyers, smiths, boat builders etc" but it must never be understood that they existed previously to the national rejection of idolatry. Many years had elapsed before ever the natives could be persuaded "to work with their own hands" "that if they did not work, neither should they eat". ..........

.........At this moment I have Mcgill, a depraved black as to morals, one brought up in the barracks at Sydney, dwelling for years at the penal settlements, where, in a fit of intoxication, he lodged the contents of a musket in the breast of his wife; yet, for weeks together, for the last four years, has he sat with me in my study, and many hours each day has passed in the dry study of their language, than which nothing can be more irksome to a thirsty barbarian. Some times he is naked, having disposed of his clothes, or lost them when inebriated, during his absence; but when remonstrances are used against his intemperate conduct, his only reply is "When away I am a fool". Had I not the assistance of this black, who, through the lamentable contact, is contaminated by the vices of depraved Europeans, never could I hve detected the spurious language used be the English, conjugated a verb throughout all its moods and tenses, traced the various roots from which their particulars are derived, or completed a first translation of the Gospel of St. Luke in their hither to unknown tongue. To represent a mission as having failed, under these circumstances, betrays an ignorance of the object and employment of the present instrument engaged in the work; and had that instrument been placed in any other part of the colony, excepting this vicinity, the friends of missions might have had, with himself, at this time real cause to deplore the want of success in obtaining the means of instruction in their native tongue. I mention these circumstances to show what has been too often found, by experience, to be correct - that the speculations of the parlour and dining room, in civilized society are not often realized, in fact, by those whose lives are devoted in the service of barbarians - and that those circumstances which, at first sight, are most appalling, eventually have, in many instances, proved the very means of accomplishing the desire I object. Against human speculations on the subject the language of our Sovereign is "Go forward" "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight and the rough ways shall be made smooth, and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. L.E. Threlkeld

1832

July

Salary and Allowance to Rev. L.E. Threlkeld, employed in Civilization of the Aborigines, and acquiring a Knowledge of the Native Language, for the years 1830 and 1831 - £272 10 4d

1833

MARCH

Sale of Land and town allotments by auction.

Northumberland, Lake Macquarie. 100 One hundred Acres, more or less; a promontory running into Lake Macquarie, opposite the North-east side of the Reverend L. E. Threlkeld's farm; and bounded on the north by the Section line about a mile and a quarter South of Mr. Ranclaud's Southern boundary; on the other sides by the waters of the lake. Applied for by John Herring Boughton. Price five shillings per acre

1837

OCTOBER

On Sunday the 24th September at noon during divine service, a sudden terrible explosion took place over the dwelling house of the Rev L E Threlkeld, living at Lake Macquarie. The electric fluid shivered the post of a small windmill erected but a few yards from the house, scattering the splinters to a considerable distance. A small iron pin in the vane attracted the lightening although the fans of the mill were much higher, the staff was broken and the fluid parted in its descent through the steel mill without doing it injury, but the post to which the mill was attached was rent from top to the bottom, nearly twenty feet. Providentially no personal injury was sustained. There was no storm of thunder or rain, either before or after the clap. Only very distant thunder was heard. - Sydney Herald 2 October 1837

1841

OCTOBER

The Splendid Estate of Hampton - Divided into twenty five Village Allotments and Thirty Farms, situated upon the left Bank of Cock Creek, Lake Macquarie.

Mr. Samuel Lyons has received instructions from the Trustees to the Estate of Messrs. G. and E. Weller to offer for public competition on Thursday the 14th October at 11 o'clock the whole of the splendid estate of Hampton situated upon the left bank of Cockle Creek which empties itself into Lake Macquarie and is navigable for boats of some tonnage. The depth of the Creek as shown in the plan varying from five to ten feet; upon its bank is laid out The Village of Hampton

in 25 allotments of half an acre each, some a little more and some a little less. There is a reserve for wharf and market of better than one acre and about two acres for Church and Parsonage.

This estate is generally well watered, as shown by the plan. The southern boundary is a range of hills, on the surface of which is found plenty of coal; the remaining portions of the Estate are undulating and well timbered particularly with blue gum

Hampton is situated about ten miles from Newcastle. The thirty farms vary in extent from 31 to 151 acres bounded by the lands of W. Brookes, J. Warner, and J.B. Weller, and Crown Lands. Newly arrived emigrants with a small capital have here presented to them the opportunity of embarking it in the only field that now affords the prospect of remuneration for their outlay and something to boot, while the mercantile worlds is almost paralyzed, to what can we look forward for profit but Agriculture, and those who have thought deeply upon the subject or taken the trouble to think at all upon the matter have arrived at the conclusion that it is only by the cultivation of land that  a real independence can be realized for themselves and their offspring. Sydney Gazette 2 October 1841

NOVEMBER

It is one of the most indispensable duties of the Press, especially in a country, like ours comparatively new, to take every opportunity to direct the attention of the public to its unemployed productive resources. Under this impression we shall adopt every means to obtain information on such subjects, and communicate that information for the public advantage. In the present article we intend to submit to our readers such particulars as we have been able to obtain relative to the workable coal seam lately discovered by the Rev. Mr. Threlkeld, and to the progress of the operations entered on for the purpose of rendering the coal available to the public service. We have been kindly furnished with the following information:

The Ebenezer coal works originated in the following manner: A seam of apparently cannel coal broke out at the water's edge, running into the salt water lake, and has been known to exist for some years. The A. A. company advertised that no coal could be supplied for exportation. Several gentlemen proposed plans to obtain coal in different parts of the colony, but it so happened that restrictions in the working of coal prevented mines being opened in different situations, whilst the grant at Lake Macquarie, named Ebenezer, was, providentially for the grantee, given before the restrictions took place. On digging the cropping out coal to ascertain the depth of the seam, it was found to be nearly five feet thick, and after raising a number of tons which were sent off immediately to Sydney to convince parties of the existence of coal, it was found to terminate in a fault or throw down. (It appears rather to be what is technically called by the British miners a saddle back - Ed). It was thus necessary to sink a shaft some little distance on a hill, and it was supposed that at twenty five yards the seam would be found, but at twelve and a half yards depth the miners came to a fine seam of coal five feet thick, with a good roof and sort of sand stone floor. It was then deemed most advantageous to run out a funnel to the water's edge, which was effected, and after laying down a railway, the miners commenced and delivered the coals at the mouth of the funnel to the barges which lay alongside in seven feet water. The first sample of coals proved prejudicial to the concern, in consequence of being surface coal and necessarily of an inferior quality to the main seam, the coal from which is now making its way rapidly amongst the families in Sydney As respects its quality for steam engines, it is found to be much improved, and one engineer who has tried it gives his decided opinion that it will ultimately prove excellent coal for the steamers; but, like all new comers, it has to encounter prejudices, which a little time will no doubt remove. It was feared that the seam was only a small vein running across the peninsular part of the grant, but on running a tunnel some few yards under the hills, about two miles distant inland, from the shaft the seam was entered and appears of a bright and excellent quality. The principal obstacle to be overcome is the trans shipment of the coal in barges to vessels lying at anchor in 6 or 7 fathom water outside the bar entrance to the lake, to avoid which, if sufficient encouragement is given to the sale of coal, vessels of a peculiar construction might be built, to bring up the coal direct to Sydney, and thus ensure a constant supply at a steady price for the consumers here. The works can be extended to bring out any amount by only increasing the number of miners, the local situation being such as to afford the greatest facility at a small expence without the aid of expensive machinery - an advantage in which the public partakes by the coals being delivered at two shillings per ton under the present Newcastle price.  The Colonial Observer, Thursday November 25, 1841

DECEMBER

To be Let for a Term of Years

Part of the Ebenezer Estate, consisting of about one thousand acres of land, adjoining the newly established Ebenezer coal Works, Lake Macquarie. There is a good, near, comfortable family house, eighty feet by twenty seven feet six inches, containing ten rooms, small pantry and dairy, with verandahs. The out houses are, kitchen, store, barn sixty by forty feet, three huts for men, two stockyards, milking sheds, piggery, and other conveniences. The garden of about three acres, is well stocked with fruit trees of every description, and vines of fifty varieties. There are eight paddocks, about three hundred acres, enclosed with a secure substantial four railed fence. subdivided by three rail fences, of which, five paddocks are cleared for cultivation - two are in British grasses. There is also a quantity of first rate brush land not yet brought into cultivation. The place is admirably adapted for breeding choice stock, horses especially, for which there is every convenience, or for a dairy, there being an extensive run adjoining, A thorough bred Colonial horse and mares, together with some milch cows and other suitable stock, may be taken at a fair valuation; likewise the household furniture, together with a team of bullocks, dray, cart, and farming implements; and immediate possession may be given. There is a convenient bathing house, and the property is admirable suited for a family, or for an invalid desirous of a beautiful healthy residence on the margin of a lake extending upwards of twenty miles. The distance from Newcastle, by a bridle road, is about sixteen miles, but the carriage road is twenty four miles, north to Newcastle or Maitland, and seven miles south to the township of Newport. There is now a weekly conveyance by the cutter Thomson to and from Sydney, connected with the Coal Works adjoining the reserved part of the grant, the which conveyance will become more frequent, as soon as the coal vessels adapted for the navigation of the entrance of the Lake are completed. The increasing population at the Colliery will occasion a demand for produce irrespective of the Sydney market. To persons possessing agricultural experience, intending to breed select stock this property is strongly recommended. Further particulars may be known at the office of Messrs. Foss and Lloyd, George St. Sydney or of the proprietor on the premises.

Colonial Observer 23 December 1841

1842

FEBRUARY

I have only just returned from a tour round Lake Macquarie of which I would have sent you an account but that I am not yet recovered form the fatigue. However, in my next you may depend upon an accurate report made from surveys at the bar, and at Reid's Mistake

It is at present contemplated to cut a new channel into the lake for the purpose of entering it safely, and on this subject, I shall also pass my remarks. In my next, I intend treading on the subject at length. Sydney Gazette17 February 1842

FEBRUARY

As I promised you in my last, I now subjoin a short account of my trip, in company with a friend or two, to Newport and Lake Macquarie - hoping that the same may not prove uninteresting to some of your readers.

The road from Brisbane Water to Newport lies through a most delightful country, occasionally passing by highly cultivated farms, at other times running through a most luxuriant and heavily timbered bush. I need hardly say that we enjoyed our ride in every way, the beauty of the varying scenery, which on all sides surrounded us, was alone worth the trouble of a voyage.

On arriving at the township of Newport, we met with a kind reception from Messrs. Carter, Smith and Vogan, to whom it is but due to pay this deserved tribute for their well known hospitality. They even went to the trouble of procuring a boat for us, with five stout hands for its management, and consequently, on the day following our arrival, we started on our visit to the entrance of the Lake. After pulling across this magnificent sheet of water, a distance of 25 miles, we brought up at the heads. It was then young flood, and there was two feet of water on the bar. It is high water on the bar 9 hours 45 minutes, full and change. The rise and fall is 5 feet four inches. The channel on the bar is evidently shifting from its present north easterly direction, and opening to the south east. In the north east channel, there is good anchorage under an island called Little Bird Island in between six and seven fathoms, well sheltered from southerly and westerly winds.

The channel is not safe for a stranger to attempt, under any circumstances, or at any time of tide; but one well acquainted with the entrance might take small craft in after half flood, though not before, for the tide, in consequence of the outlet being so small for so large a body of water as that contained in the Lake, ebbs out with a force that is most astonishing, running out during nine hours at the rate of four knots per hour. We perceived ourselves that the current was running ebb during the whole of the flood tide, and a Lake fisherman informed us that it had been running so during seventy hours preceding.

During the time we were waiting for the rise of tide, a spot presented itself to our notice as most favourable for the cutting of another and a new channel into the Lake. The spot we fixed upon, is at no great distance form the bar, and is not more than seventy five yards across from the sea to the lake and consequently might be cut through at a very trifling expense. We found 1/4 less 4 fathoms of water to seaward close on the shore and two fathoms in the lake just at that spot, thus giving a depth of water sufficient for any craft that would require to enter the lake. At a short distance out, the water is of course still deeper, and were it considered necessary the channel could be deepened by the addition of a very trifling expense to that of the cutting through. There is no doubt that, were this channel cut, there would be no bar on at all, for the strong current that is running out for so long a time would always keep the sand from washing up. The old entrance would then in a short time fill up altogether from the large body of water that would be taken off from the lake by the new channel, a straight and convenient entrance would thus be opened into the lake, which would deepen daily, from the almost continued ebb current.

With regard to timber and other materials for the construction of a firm embankment, all these may be found in any part of the neighbourhood, thus rendering the cost fro materials a mere trifle. What would be the result, could steamers enter Lake Macquarie, as by the channel I propose they might do? Need I ask the question? The benefit to Newport, nay even to Sydney would be incalculable. The farm and dairy produce of the district would be sent thence to Sydney at a small cost, thus giving to the farmer a ready market for the produce of his industry, and to the people of the metropolis it would open another district to which they might look for a cheap, regular and continual supply. The township, already a beautiful spot, would then flourish still more, and we should have many of the wildly luxuriant spots which surround the Lake converted from comparative deserts to gardens from whence the tables of the good folks of Sydney could be supplied.

The land throughout the district is of the finest description, and well fitted for the production of every species of fruit and vegetables, whilst timber, both for sawing and shingle splitting, may be found in abundance. There are also some very extensive sheep walks in the neighbourhood and round the borders of the Lake.

The surface of the water is alive with black swan, cranes (amongst which, the native crane may be numbered as he may be seen standing in solitary sadness on some rock, whose head just breaks the curling waters, looking steadily into the deep, as though admiring his own lank figure) wild duck, divers, snipe and every species of water fowl; whilst the waters teem with the finny denizens of the deep. Heaps of shells, quite clean and almost fit for the kiln, lie in immense quantities around the borders of the lake, above high water mark, thus opening another store of wealth to the industrious workman.

It is subject for regret that no inn has as yet been established in the township of Newport, though a license has been granted for one by the magistrates - we were therefore obliged to quarter with Mr. Carter, who did the honors of his house in such a manner as to win the esteem of his visitors. The time occupied in the ride home was passed pleasantly enough in admiration of the beautiful scenery that surrounded us, and in dwelling on the various capabilities of the thriving township we had left.

For several days past, an immense quantity of rain has fallen here, and from the accounts received form travelers, has been general throughout the district, I need not tell you how much this has delighted our dried up settlers.

Sly grog selling seems the order of the day here, but I shall descant on this subject anon, as I think I have sent you sufficient for the present, and the steam boat has made signal for started. Sydney Gazette 25th February 1842

APRIL

Lake Macquarie Coals

A Vessel will be in from Newport, Lake Macquarie in the course of a few days with Coals from Mr. Threlkeld's. Parties desirous of making trial of them (and they will find them fully equal to the Newcastle Coals) are requested to make early application to Mr. Samuel Miller, Erskine Street (Sydney).

P.S. On an early day of which due notice will be given, Mr. Stubbs will sell by auction a few building allotments in the above township of Newport than which a more favourable opportunity for the judicious investment of capital could scarcely present itself. Sydney Gazette 22 April 1842

MAY

Newport, Lake Macquarie

HAILSTORM - On Monday last, this township and neighbourhood was visited by one of the most tremendous hail storms which has been known since the foundation of the colony. I have not heard of any lives having been lost, but the damage done to property is very considerable. Every square of glass in the south end of the Newport Hotel was broken, and the roof of the punt house was blown off, and carried as far as Dorah Creek. The size of the hail stones was almost incredible, some measuring eight inches in circumference. The extent of injury done to the maize crop is not yet sufficiently known, but it must be very considerable

On Tuesday we had heavy rains during the whole of the day, which continued throughout the night, accompanied with a heavy gale from the SW veering sometimes to S 1/2 E. The Lake seemed like a boiling cauldron, and there was a heavier surf on, than I or the oldest residents recollect

PUBLICAN'S LICENSES

Monday was the day appointed for granting publican's licenses to the various applicants in this district. The following is a list, which was granted for the townships of Gosford and Brisbane Water &c.,:

Fox Under The Hill, Mr. Taylor

Masons' Arms, W. Baker

Family Hotel T. W. Toby

Queen's Hotel, Mr. Frazer

Wisemans Ferry, Queen Victoria, David Cross

Mangrove Creek, Lower Bank, The Greenman, J. Taylor

Township of Newport (On the Maitland road) the Newport Hotel. W.G. Boyce

I understand that it is contemplated by certain enterprising parties in this district to avail themselves of the immense quantities of shell which abound on the banks of the Lake and neighbourhood, which they intend to burn, and send the lime to Sydney .This branch of our export trade conjoined to our other exports of coal, maize, &c., cannot fail of rendering the banks of Lake Macquarie a favourite place of residence for the active and enterprising, who, in a short time, by prudence and attention may realize an independence. A party will shortly leave here to look out for a dray road from Lake Macquarie to the Wolombine; this will be the second attempt, and I trust a successful one. - Sydney Gazette 3 May 1842

MAY

Newport Hotel

The Proprietor of the above Establishment bets leave to intimate to the settlers and the Public generally that they can be accommodated with every comfort for themselves and good stables for their horses. W.J. Boyce Sydney Gazette 10 May 1842

JULY

Newport - Our correspondent in this flourishing township writes to us as follows: "A plan, dawn by Mr. Boyce, has been forwarded to the police magistrate of Brisbane Water, at his request, for cutting a channel through the Land Spit, into Lake Macquarie, for the inspection of His Excellency the Governor, as also the estimate of expenses; the estimate will not, however, be made public, until His Excellency has communicated with the authorities on the subject. The vegetable crops are abundant - green peas are selling here, at 6d. per peck. Several parties have travelled the new line of road from the Wollombi, and all pronounce it to be a great benefit. A store is much wanted here. I am sure it would pay well - Sydney Gazette 9 July 1842

OCTOBER

New Insolvents - The following persons filed their schedules during the week: William Thomas Boyce of Lake Macquarie, settler and innkeeper. Sydney Gazette 13 October 1842