230 J. H. MAIDEN. . 
such a vigorous attack was made upon Mr. Hart’s stock of 
wines that the cork-drawing volleys struck on the ear like 
file-firing on a field day. 
‘‘To sum up, the dinner was good, the wines were good, 
the music was good, the harmony was good, and the Society | 
is likely to be favoured with the votes and interest of a. 
greater number at the ensuing half-yearly dinner, if good 
eating and drinking on these occasions, be admitted to be 
a main prop of an institution.” 
It seems to me quite evident that it was not an educa- 
tional Society of the Agricultural, Horticultural and 
Philosophical class. 
The ‘‘Sydney Gazette ’’ evidently had not a representa- 
tive at the dinner, for in its issue of the 2nd August, 1831, 
under the heading “‘The Australian Society,” it quotes the 
**Monitor’s’’ report in extenso, and also reproves its wicked 
contemporary for making observations in brackets. 
I have not been able to trace a subsequent dinner, half- 
yearly or otherwise. 
In the Almanacs, e.g. the ‘‘Australian Almanac”’ 1831, 
we have its name correctly stated, and also the office- 
bearers :— 
“The Australian Society to promote the growth and con- 
sumption of Colonial produce and manufactures. President, 
Samuel Terry; Vice-President, Daniel Cooper; Treasurer, 
William Hutchinson ; Secretary, John Rickards.”’ 
I find its office-bearers given in the New South Wales 
Oalendar and Directory for 1831, 1833-1836. There is no 
mention of it in the Calendar for 1837. The word “‘culti- 
vation’’ is used in lieu of “consumption” in the 1833.. 
Calendar. 
The Society does not appear to have been a publishing 
Society, and it probably did its work in a political manner. 
