Only sixteen carpenters could be hired from all the ships; among the convicts no more than twelve were of this profession, and of them several were sick.

These therefore together formed but a small party, in proportion to the work which was to be done.

One hundred convicts were added as labourers; but with every effort, it was found impossible to complete either the barracks for the men, or the huts for the officers, as soon as was desired.

As late as the middle of May these were yet unfinished, as well as the hospital, and the storehouse for those provisions which were not landed at first.

The Governor himself at that time was still lodged in his temporary house of canvas, which was not perfectly impervious either to wind or weather.
14 February 1788.
On the 14th of February a party was sent out in the Supply, to settle on a small island to the north-west of New Zealand, in latitude 29 deg.