section of Collingyvood, and is noyv cut up into a network of streets, one of yvhich was named "Ryrie." T h e communication is dated from Kalkite, Lindabyn, Neyv South AVales, 2nd August, 1882, and the following extract cannot be noyv perused without exciting m u c h interest, especially when the present and future prospects of the Victorian wine producing industry are taken into consideration—" Looking over some old papers I find that vines yverefirstplanted at Yering in August, 1838; for m y brother William and I, in May, 1838, left Arnprior, on the Shoalhaven River, near Braidwood, with sheep and cattle. A?e had a punt on one of the drays, which yve required to use at the Murrumbidgee, H u m e , Ovens, and Goulburn Rivers. T h e vines planted, taken from Arnprior, yvere the black cluster or Hamburg, and a white grape the Sweetwater. Are afterwards had sent from Sydney other vines taken from McArthur's vineyard, at Camden. T h efirstwine m a d e was in March, 1 8 4 5 — a red wine resembling Burgundy, and a white yvine resembling Sauterne, and both very good. Dardel, a Swiss, yvho had afterwards a vineyard in Geelong District, and perhaps has it now, used to come to Yering to prune the vines, and he also put us in the way of making wine." U p to and including 1851 the export of yvine was so trifling as not to exceed £ 5 0 in value for any year. It could hardly be said to have regularly commenced until 1852, during which 22,531 gallons, estimated at £ 6 3 5 0 , were exported. In 1849, 108 acres of land were under vine-growing, from the produce of which 6306 gallons of wine and 100 gallons of brandy resulted. There are no returnsfor1850, but in 1851 there were 161^2 acres of vine land, whilst produce fell to 4621 gallons, and the brandy increased to 286 gallons. T h e then incipient gold discoveries had doubtless something to do in the matter.
INDUSTRIAL RESOURCES OF PORT PHILLIP.
On the ist April, 1850, there yvas held at the Royal Hotel, Collins Street, a public meeting to consider the development of the resources of the district. T h e idea originated with Mr. C. J. Griffiths (long deceased), a gentleman of m u c h culture and acquirements. T h e attendance yvas influential and representative, and Mr. Griffiths was voted to the chair. " T h e Victorian Industrial Society" was pro forma inaugurated, and a Committee appointed to prepare a code of rules. T h e members' annual subscription yvas £ 1 ; £ 5 conferred a Life Membership ; and proxy voting was to be allowed. T h e objects of the Society yvere to hold periodical exhibitions of live stock and agricultural produce, combined with ploughing matches; improved farming implements; prize essays on important subjects; an experimental farm, in yvhich foreign grasses and plants could be introduced and their fitness for this climate tested; an improvement in pastoral exports, such as wool, by the exhibition of rams, and superior samples of fleece; attention to the breeding of cattle and the packing of tallow, whether in hides or casks; what indigenous woods were best adapted for cooperage ; and the extraction of gelatine or preserved meats. Special attention yvas to be devoted to agricultural resources, such as the production of the vine, olive, and mulberry; the brewing of good beer; the manufacture of leather, parchment, glue, starch, soap, earthenware, etc, and the growth of hops, madder, and flax. It was also stated that indications of gold, coal, copper, iron, tin, lead, and other minerals had been found. O n the 13th June, a meeting of the subscribers to the Society yvas held at the Mechanics' Institute, the Mayor (Mr. AV. Nicholson) presiding. Mr. C. J. Griffiths submitted a Report from the preliminary Committee, in which it was proposed to invite Prince Albert (the Consort ofthe Queen) to accept the office of Patron, and His Honor, Mr. Superintendent Latrobe, that of Vice-Patron. It yvas also recommended that the Society's Exhibitions be held alternately at Melbourne and Geelong. T h e adoption of the Report was moved by Mr. R e d m o n d Barry, seconded by Mr. James Moore, and agreed to. Rules were adopted, and the election of the first Board of Management was fixed for the 1st September. It yvas resolved to invite Prince Albert, and the Superintendent, to accept the offices assigned to them by the Report. A bottle of Victorian wine yvas exhibited by Mr. John Bear, the product of his vineyard on the River Plenty, a sample of yvhich would be sent to London for the Grand International Exhibition to be held there in 1851. O n the 27th July the Committee selected as Secretary, from 22 candidates, Mr. William Le Souef one of the original Assistant Protectors of Aborigines in the settlement, at a salary of £ 1 0 0 , and £ 2 5 for keep of horse, per annum, with an assurance that the former would be augmented to £ 2 0 0 if the Society prospered.
