Commandant shortly afterwards retired from the service of the State.

Mr. W. Little, more popularly known on northern goldfields as Billy
Little, represented the electorate of Woothakata in the Assembly. When
speaking on the railway which it had been decided should start from
Cairns to Herberton, he argued, "S'help me G----, Mr. Speaker, they are
building a railway at Cairns over a mountain, down which a crow couldn't
fly without putting breeching on." The simile convulsed the House, but
did not affect its decision.

During this session I could not but admire the patience and courtesy
with which Sir Samuel Griffith treated all, even his opponents, after he
once expressed himself on a measure. Time and again he would point out
defects, which his legal mind detected in the wording of Bills, but
which were not perceptible to the ordinary lay mind.

In 1889, when the Estimates were being formed, Sir Thomas McIlwraith
insisted that L40,000 should be put on for building a Central Railway
Station in Ann Street, Brisbane. His colleagues dissented, holding the
view that the then existing station would serve for a generation, or
longer. McIlwraith resigned the premiership, but retained the office of
Vice-President of the Executive Council.

Mr. B. D. Morehead succeeded him as Premier, but there were no other
changes in the personnel of the Cabinet.

During the recess of 1890, I left Winton in March, after a good, wet
season, to make a tour of my electorate, visiting the townships and
stations throughout the district, and going close to Lake Nash, over the
border of the Northern Territory.

I held meetings at the places visited, covering a distance of 1,600
miles, yet I was unable to visit the whole district.

At Glenormiston, one of the stations visited, the blacks had just
returned from the Mulligan River, where they had procured their season's
supply of "Pituri." This is obtained from a small bush, and when
prepared for chewing, has an effect similar to opium. The "pituri" is
much prized by the blacks. It is prepared for use by the seeds being
pounded up and mixed with gidya ashes, which the gins chew until it
obtains the proper consistency. It then resembles putty, and when not
being used as chewing gum is carried by the blacks round their ears. If
the native offers one a chew it is a sign of friendship and hospitality.
This friendship was offered me, but declined with thanks. I obtained a
small bagful of the seeds, in