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[Page 16]
by many that any thing is good enough for convicts. This may be viewed in various ways, relative to the sentence, or punishment; but if work is required from them, such treatment will not answer. But admitting this, have not those that are in a severe situation; and who have a claim upon the stores, a right to expect a better ration? In cases of necessity we are obliged to comply, though we may murmur. It is true, we have experienced a case of need; but it does not seem it originated from any other cause than mistaken policy. Since the store have allowed a full ration of wheat and pork, the quality has been worse in general. The weight is often deficient, I first attributed this to the wetness when weighed, but upon making some observations and trials with a pair of well adjusted scales, I frequently found it so when the meat was pretty dry, and likewise in the wheat at Hawkesbury some objections were made against the measures on turning grain into the stores. Upon an investigation, it was found the measures for receiving grain were too large, and that the weights for issuing the rations were deficient. Whether these errors or mistakes were done wilfully I cannot say, but it has long ago appeared to me, that on