TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SYDNEY HERALD" Lower Hawkesbury, Wiseman's, May 26, 1831 Mr. Editor, - You neglect noticing this interesting part of the Country, probably from your not having a Correspondent in this quarter. I purpose giving you now and then a sketch of the Lower Hawkesbury chit chat, should you deem it worthy of a corner in your much esteemed publication. Your's &c. FIDELIS. Police Report - The presence of a Magistrate here to day, enabled the overseers of the different iron and road gangs in this neighbourhood, to settle accounts with the refractory, who by the way, are becoming more bouncible since the publication of the late "Commission", and it is much feared that these gentlemen will never be better, or as well managed as they have been hitherto; however, this is digressing from our Police Report; - after disposing of several every day sort of cases, in which sundry fifties and twenty fives [lashes] were justly awarded &c. Richard MADDOX, an assigned servant to Mr. Solomon WISEMAN, our wealthy and respectable contractor, was charged with getting drunk during the absence of his master and mistress; falling over the table in the parlour, when in the act of waiting on an M.D.; neglecting to clean the gentleman's boots; and finally, to wind up his train of offences, for being seen escorting Miss Rosanna WHITE, a nymph of the kitchen, into the best bedroom, which had not long since been fitted up at a considerable expense, for the reception of an illustrious visitor. However, some discrepancies appearing in the evidence adduced against Dick, together with the Yokel's elegant defence, an award of 50 lashes only was given. Rosanna WHITE, and Catherine GILLMAN, both assigned servants to Mr. WISEMAN, next took Dick's place at the bar, when Elizabeth RYAN being duly sworn, deposed, that she had been left in charge of Mr. WISEMAN's bar, and now charged the prisoners at the Bar of the Court with drunkenness, neglect of work, and a total disregard to deponent's authority. The witness saw some drunken rascals in the tap-room, and detected them in the act of handing strong waters down the kitchen spout, which were drunk by the prisoners, despite of all remonstrance from deponent. Here Miss Catherine GILLMAN, alias Nosey, whose speech was someat defective, or of the nasal kind, arising from an accident which had occurred to her in the mother country, i.e. having the bridge of her nose broken at a wake in St. Giles's, addressed the Court most pathetically, and loudly protested against the charge of drunkenness, appealing to Mr. WISEMAN, who was in the Court, but whose testimony was more con than pro. And her feeling appeal, owing to her not being provided with an interpreter, was totally lost on her auditory. At this stage of the proceedings, Miss RYAN the prosecutrix, on being asked if she had any think more to say, "looked unutterable things", and was about to give a very lengthy descriptive detail of the amorous scene between Dick and Rosa in the best bedroom, but the Court was satisfied, and sentenced them to sojourn for two months each in the third class of the factory, and to be returned to the Government. Rosanna burst into tears at the idea of getting her head shaved, having but a few months to serve of her original sentence, and pleaded strongly that her only fault was being fond of a drop of liquor. Nosey seemed not at all discontented, and proudly cocking up the bit of gristle she had left on that part which once might have boasted a nose, evidently, by contempt, endeavoured to impress on the minds of the spectators, that she was proof against all the tortures her unhappy penchant for overproof was about to entail upon her and her sobbing partner. The Great North Road, leading hence to Maitland, Newcastle &c. is more frequented daily. Parties of pleasure now visit mine host of the Branch Inn in quick succession, and are delighted with the truly majestic and romantic scenery with which this part of the Country abounds. The descent into Wiseman's on the south bank of the river, and the ascent to Devine's Hill, are well worthy the attention of the traveller; on the latter, for a distance of two miles, the road is cut out of solid rock, a work of immense labour and perseverance, reflecting great credit on the ......... [obliterated] .... works have been carried on. The sound of the bugle announced arrival here, on Wedneaday last, of the amiable family of Archibald BELL Esq., late Police Magistrate at Windsor, and his suite, consisting of several vehicles and equestrians, returning from a visit to one of Mr. BELL's delightful farms near Maitland. The whole of the party seemed delighted with the excursion, and during their stay here, Wiseman's was a scene of festivity; they departed yesterday morning for Windsor. Another party arrived here last evening, consisting of Captain DUMARESQ, and lady, with others, amongst whom we noticed the Assistant Colonial Secretary. It is said, the noble Captain retires from "wars alarms" and is going to reside on one of his farms on the Great North Road - at all events he will not be a Dungaree settler. [Sydney Herald, June 13, 1831] Diane