n.
Fortunately for him he was the happy possessor of considerable private
means, which, needless to say, helps towards independence. But what about
tact? During his term as Commandant in Sydney he had several differences
with those in power. That he did not always succeed in getting his own
way goes without saying. But at any rate when he left New South Wales the
forces of that State were certainly more efficient than when he took over
the command. His experiences afterwards in Canada were undoubtedly of
value to him, though it would appear that an unfortunate disagreement
between himself and the Ministers there led to his resignation of that
appointment. Owing to these two former appointments, and to his having
had the command of the Overseas Brigade in South Africa, it was evident
that his claims to be the first Commander-in-Chief in Australia would
receive consideration. The first Minister of Defence appointed by the
Prime Minister, Sir Edmund Barton, was the Hon. Mr. Dickson, a
Queenslander, who unfortunately died within ten days of his appointment.

Sir John Forrest, who was afterwards raised to the peerage, and who since
died while on his way home to take his seat in the House of Lords, took
Mr. Dickson's place as Minister of Defence. I remember quite well dining
with him one night in Melbourne when he asked me what would I think if
Hutton were appointed Commander-in-Chief. I told him that it wasn't so
much what I thought, rather that, as he knew him personally pretty well
himself, what did he think? He answered that he thought it would be all
right. "Well," I said, "you know best. It's you, as Minister, that'll
have to battle with him."

"I won't quarrel with him. It takes two to make a quarrel."

"All right," I said. "I presume, from what you've told me, that the
appointment is practically made. Time alone will tell." General Hutton
was appointed, and within nine months the relations between him and Sir
John became, to say the least of it, more than strained.

Next in order of importance as regarded appointments was, to my mind,
that of private secretary to the Governor-General. If there is an office
that requires consummate tact, knowledge and even-minded temperament,
commend me to that of private secretary to a Governor-General. In his
case Lord Hopetoun was fully satisfied to avail himself of the services
of Captain Wallington, with whom he was already intimately acquainted.
Captain Wallington had served i