quid in which he has no footing.

The coach camped at a wayside place that night. I walked on in the
morning; the coach overtook me eight miles from Normanton, into which I
rode, and was glad to reach the hotel and comfort once more.

During the week spent in Normanton waiting the return of Mr.
Bartholomew, and also the arrival of a steamer, I made the acquaintance
of Mr. Forsyth, who was the resident manager for Burns, Philp and Co.,
and later on sat in Parliament for many years.

At Thursday Island there was no jetty, so our steamer anchored out in
the channel. Here Mr. (now Sir Robert) Philp joined us from a tour of
inspection of the company's branches. He had not long before been
returned at a bye-election for Musgrave. When leaving, he and I boarded
the steamer in a boat belonging to the company, with a black crew
dressed in white shirts, which gave them quite a picturesque effect. On
reaching Cairns, Mr. Philp included me in his party to go by rail to
Redlynch, the then terminus of the line. The construction of the line up
the range towards the Barron Falls was then going on, but we were unable
to view the Falls.

On our trip down, Mr. Philp mentioned that the McIlwraith party would
require a representative for the Gregory in place of the late Mr. Thos.
McWhannell. He hinted to me that probably my name as successor would be
acceptable to Sir Thomas McIlwraith. I replied, "I know nothing of
politics, and have no desire to take them on."

I remained over Christmas in Townsville, and arrived in Winton to
celebrate the new year of 1888. Election news was the absorbing topic.

I asked Sir Thomas McIlwraith by telegram who was the party's accredited
candidate, giving certain names which were spoken of. He replied, "Know
nothing about the gentlemen mentioned; why don't you stand yourself?"
Mr. J. B. Riley, of Vindex, happened to be in town. I showed him the
wire, which he took, and went away.

In the beginning of March, Mr. Riley, accompanied by others, presented
me with a requisition to become the McIlwraith candidate. This was
signed by nearly all the inhabitants of Winton and pastoralists of the
district. When handing it to me, Riley said, "Now, I give you two hours
to consult your partner, and give me your decision." After consultation
with Mr. Campbell, my partner, I assented to the request, and called a
meeting of the electors, which I addressed in the Court House in April,
1888. I then started in my buggy a