n several occasions this has necessitated journeys out of Sydney on the writer's
part. With the object of making inquiries into the fish supply of Melbourne,
also, a special visit was paid to that city. And further, in order to gain an
insight into vineyard work and cellar management, an instructive time was passed
at Dr. T. Fiaschi's magnificent Tizzana vineyard on the Hawkesbury River.
It may seem to savour somewhat of boldness, yet I hazard the opinion that the
real development of Australia will never actually begin till this wilful violation
of her people's food-life ceases. For let us suppose that the semi-tropical
character of our Australian life was duly appreciated by one and all. If such
were the case--and I would it were so--there would be a wonderful change from
the present state of affairs. But as it is, the manners and customs of the Australians
are a perpetual challenge to the range of temperature in which they live. Indeed,
the form of food they indulge in proves incontestably that they have
