tsteps and _occupy his chair_ as Commandant of
Victoria, set me thinking.

I certainly could not follow General Downes again to higher positions;
his retirement from active military work was final. It was useless to
seek for a second "vision," but it was in my power to renew the
resolution I made years previously, and, remembering Gordon of Khartoum's
maxim, "Never allow your pleasure to interfere with your duty," I fully
determined there and then not to rest until I had reached the highest
position in the military forces of the Commonwealth, and justified
Kingston's prophecy.

On being elected to the Federal Parliament Kingston severed his connexion
with the South Australian Government. It was not long before he made his
mark as a member of the Federal Cabinet. The influence of his strong
personality, his high attainments and sincere belief in the splendid
future of the young Commonwealth, marked him as a coming Prime Minister.
When this reward seemed to be within his grasp a serious illness overtook
him. After a long spell of enforced idleness he returned to Parliament.
He was a changed man. His constitution had been impaired beyond recovery.
A relapse followed which resulted fatally. A great man cut off in the
prime of his life--regretted by all--a loss to the Commonwealth.

CHAPTER II

COMMANDANT OF VICTORIA

My wife and I took up our residence in Melbourne, securing a comfortable
house not far from "The Grange," which had been the official home of the
Commandant of Melbourne in the earlier days and was then occupied by
General Hutton.

Four years of steady, solid work followed, during which General Hutton
laid the foundations for a sound organization of the future forces of the
Commonwealth. Contingents of Federal Troops were raised, trained and
dispatched to South Africa. It was a time worth living for from an
official point of view.

Two special occasions are worth noting: one the presentation of colours
to the units which had taken part in the South African War, and the other
the visit of the Japanese Fleet. With regard to the former, King Edward,
ever ready to recognize the services of those who had joined the armies
to fight for the Empire, presented Colours to such units of the mounted
Commonwealth Forces which had sent volunteers to the war. The Colours had
arrived in Melbourne, and Colour parties from the units concerned
throughout the Commonwealth were ordered to assemble in Melbourne for t