Philip King had returned to Norfolk Island…

Philip King had returned to Norfolk Island to find its nearly one thousand inhabitants torn apart by discontent after the strict regime of Major Robert Ross.

Setting about enthusiastically to improve conditions, he had encouraged settlers, drawn from ex-convicts and ex-marines, and had listened to their views on wages and prices.

The island is self-sufficient in grain by 1794, and surplus swine are being sent to Sydney.

The Lieutenant-Governor of New South Wales, Francis Grose, suggests the closure of Norfolk Island as a penal settlement as early as 1794, as it is too remote and difficult for shipping and too costly to maintain.

The number of people living off the government store is high, and few settlers want to leave.

King is faced in February 1794 with unfounded allegations by members of the New South Wales Corps on the island that he is punishing them too severely and ex-convicts too lightly when disputes arise.

As their conduct becomes mutinous, he sends twenty of them to Sydney for trial by court-martial.

There, Lieutenant-Governor Grose censures King's actions and issues orders which give the military illegal authority over the civilian population.

Grose later apologizes, but conflict with the military continues to plague King.