The Hawkesbury

The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser

3 July 1803

We understand His Excellency during his late visit to the Out Settlements, has given directions for making a more convenient road to Hawkesbury from Parramatta, by which the mischief occasioned to horses and carriages from the necessity of crossing the Seven Hills will be totally removed.

Ground has also been measured at the Green Hills, for building a school house 100 feet in length by 24. feet wide for the education of the youth on the banks of the Hawkesbury for which purpose Government has undertaken to make the bricks, and to give such other assistance as may be admissible, to effectuate so desirable and Institute in that quarter of the Colony.

Whilst every reflecting person must view the exertions now making by the settlers at Hawkesbury to forward the cultivation of their farms with that satisfaction that a liberal mind ever feels in the general welfare of a society.

Yet it is much to be lamented that the Settlers in that fertile Quarter, as well as in other parts of the colony have not turned their attention more generally to procuring cattle and ploughs, than in preserving in the toilsome, tedious, and ruinous expence of the hoe.

There are now two instances, which ought to serve as an encouragement to the industrious: the first is the Rev. Mr. Marsden, who, if we mistake not, has ploughed upwards of twenty acres this year; the second in Mr. Palmer, who has, very successfully and expeditiously ploughed three hundred acres of his farm at Hawkesbury, and sowed it with wheat.

When it is considered that the latter employed nearly a hundred men with the hoe, about a labour that has been performed this year with less than fifteen men; surely such great Savings ought to induce the settlers to endeavour at procuring their labour by similar exertions.

Although but a few among them may be able at present to obtain the requisites; yet the acquirement of them may in time be obtained by all who are habituated to industry and sobriety.

We hope some better informed correspondent will not think his time lost by recommending an implement, so valuable in agriculture, being brought into general use, which will be a principal means of bringing agricultural and consequently all other labour, to a more moderate price.