r the lighted grass with
a box of matches in his hand, and arrested him on suspicion. When
brought before the Police Magistrate, the man was charged under the
English Act against arson.

Through correspondence with the Attorney-General, it was learnt that the
English Act applied to artificial, and not to natural, grasses. The
offender was discharged with a caution, as the evidence was really only
circumstantial.

Shortly afterwards he was caught red-handed firing the grass on Warenda
Station, on his way to Boulia. He was brought before the Boulia
justices, who sentenced him to three months' imprisonment under the
"Careless Use of Fire Act." This was the maximum penalty that could be
inflicted. On completion of his term the grass-burner was liberated, and
vowed he would burn the whole of the d----d squatters out.

The pastoralists hearing of it, put men to watch him through their
respective runs.

I returned to Brisbane with the intention of defeating his designs. On
interviewing McIlwraith, he advised me to see Mr. Thynne (who was then
Solicitor-General), and explain matters to him, adding:--"Thynne will
draft a clause for you in the 'Injuries to Property Act.' You can bring
in the Bill for the Amendment yourself." I did so, and found I was
saddled with an amendment of an Act of Parliament without any previous
knowledge of procedure. However, through the kindness of Mr. Bernays
(the clerk of Parliament), I was instructed in this, and successfully
carried through the second reading of the amendment to the Act.

Under this a man found burning natural grass may be prosecuted under the
"English Act against Arson," which meant a maximum of 14 years'
imprisonment.

In committee, Sir Samuel Griffith suggested I should insert a clause
whereby it could be tried at a District Court, and so prevent witnesses
having to attend a Supreme Court, held on the coast. The Bill, with this
addition, went through committee. I was informed by Mr. Archer, M.L.A.
for Rockhampton, that this was the first occasion in Queensland for a
member to navigate a Bill through the House in his first Parliamentary
year.

I thought I had completed my work with the Bill, but was surprised when
Mr. Bernays asked me whom I had selected to take it through the Council.
I asked the Hon. William Aplin to pilot it through, and the amendment to
the "Injuries to Property Act" was assented to on the 23rd of October,
1888.

On the second evening after my arri