Previous to being used for cordage, Mr. Maclaren has the flax well hackled, which materially improves its quality and appearance: could it be exported in this improved state, it cannot be doubted that much of the prejudice now existing against its use would be removed; for the epidermis of the leaves being entirely removed when the flax is well cleaned, the fibres will, as a matter of course, unite closer together, affording a united and stronger resistance; but Mr. Maclaren informs me that the expense attending the hackling in this colony would not repay him at the price the material at present obtains in England, or even were it to advance to its former high price.
At present this gentleman cannot manufacture cordage at a less price than a ship from England could bring it out as stores, but still at a lower rate than the Europe cordage sent out on freight for sale; in the colony it is therefore cheaper to colonial vessels, and is found very durable. It has been used three years and upwards as running gear for shipping, and highly approved of; from the flax having been sent home in an uncleaned state, it has been rendered almost unsaleable, and gave an opportunity for those prejudiced to depreciate its value. From the natural indolence of the New Zealanders, it is difficult to procure the flax from them in a better dressed state, until some of them are taught the art of hackling it, which would be advisable to be done immediately. To attempt to clean the flax from the epidermis in any but during the recent state, is a labour of difficulty, from its close connexion with the fibres, by which a great loss in weight would necessarily be sustained.
Captain P. P. King, R. N. (who may be considered high authority,) when on the survey of the Australian coast, used rope manufactured from this flax, and he commends it highly for running rigging. I was also informed by a mercantile gentleman, that from its unclean state (as well as from bending the fibres in packing, by which the edges decaying, the length of staple is diminished one-half) it has become quite unsaleable at home, and the opposition to it by the Riga flax importers tends still more to crush it, the badly cleaned state of the flax giving them a strong ground for its condemnation.
On the 9th of September I left Sydney, with the intention of calling on my friends in the vicinity, and then proceeding into the interior of the colony. I passed an agreeable day with the amiable family of Major Lockyer, at his pretty residence at the Field of Mars, near Kissing[34] Point, and situated upon the banks of the Paramatta creek or river.[35]
After an agreeable day’s sojourn I left for Paramatta, calling at the “Vineyard,” the residence of Hannibal M’Arthur, Esq. The habitation was delightfully situated on the banks of the Paramatta creek, or river. His gardens, annexed to the house, were extensive, and richly stored with many valuable shrubs and plants, and a brilliant display of hyacinths, anemones, jonquils, and other annuals, usually the ornament of our gardens, brought forcibly to our minds the recollection of our spring and summer seasons at home. Salt provision becoming an article of colonial export, Major Lockyer, Mr. H. M’Arthur, and many other gentlemen, settled in, and possessing large estates in the colony, are profitably employed in salting provision, both for the commissariat department of the colony, as well as for exportation. The Liverpool is preferred by some to the salt of colonial manufacture, from its being of a stronger quality.
The woods in the vicinity of the “Vineyard” abounded with numerous plants of the Orchideæ family, growing in a very barren soil. One of these, that has received the colonial appellation of “native hyacinth,” was just developing its beautiful cærulean blossoms, and another its flowers of a bright yellow, spotted internally with brown. These latter Orchideæ are named “boyams,”[36] having their bulbous roots filled with a viscid mucilage, which renders them an article of food among the aborigines: they are also sought after by the colonial children, who are fond of collecting and eating them; the little creatures would readily recognize their favourite “boyams” among the specimens I had collected. The Emu flowers, (Richea glauca,) were now abundant, and in full blossom; the colonial appellation has been given from the emus feeding upon them, that is, when emus were to be seen, for they have been driven by encroaching settlements far into the interior of the colony, and before long an emu will be as great, if not a greater rarity, at Sydney than in England, for in the latter country I am happy to see they are endeavouring to, and I hope will, succeed in breeding them.
The acacias (of the species floribunda and fillifannilius) were abundant, and covered at this season with a profusion of delicate golden flowers, imparting to the otherwise sterile aspect of the woods, a gay and animated appearance, as well as diffusing a grateful fragrance around, wafted by the gentle breezes to a still greater distance; their drooping branches, thickly studded with pending clusters of blossoms, decorated the sides of the roads, gardens, barren plains, and banks of rivers, being the only trees that at one period of the season bestowed some life to the usual uninteresting character of the scenery, at some parts aided by other flowering shrubs in full blossom, among which those of the Epacridæ family were most profuse.
Paramatta is a pretty village situated in a vale, and has some well-constructed public buildings—as the government-house, orphan-school, commissariat stores, female factory, &c. The situation of the village renders it exceedingly sultry during the summer months. The government-house is well-situated, and the building is of neat construction; the grounds about it are well laid out, and it has become the favourite residence of the present governor; and when compared to the government-house at Sydney, well merits his choice.
Swallows were numerous at this season of the year, and were now busily engaged in constructing their nests under the eves of houses; the nests differ from those of the European species, in having a bottle-shaped neck.
I had no opportunity of ascertaining whether the species were the same; but from casual observation I should think they were different. When these little birds are not in the vicinity of the dwellings of man, they construct their nests in the hollow trunks of trees, or under overhanging rocks, but always seem to prefer the society or protection of the human race: many are seen busily engaged in the construction of a nest, forming a “co-operative society;” when the nests are constructed in a situation about the dwelling, where, being built of mud, the appearance is unsightly, they are frequently knocked down; but this will not deter the industrious little creatures from re-building in the same situations, until, being repeatedly destroyed, they are obliged to seek for another place of refuge.