ds much nautical skill and
the surmounting of many perils.

One of my duties was the selection of a site for the construction of the
highest power wireless station to be erected in the southern hemisphere.
An entertaining incident occurred in connexion therewith. Some thirty
miles inland from Port Darwin, in the neighbourhood of the railway line
to Pine Creek, lay an extensive lake, the waters of which were an
important adjunct to the requirements of the site. Accompanied by Doctor
Gilruth and other officials we proceeded to visit the locality. Leaving
the train we trekked through the bush to find the lake. By some means I
became detached from our guides and found myself alone with the
representative of our Naval Board. We were "bushed"--had no idea which
way to turn. I knew enough of bush life to remember that the best thing
to do when bushed is to remain quiet and not attempt to walk far, light a
fire and await the arrival of the rescue party. This we did, and when,
after waiting about an hour, our friends found us, we were actually only
about a quarter of a mile from the railway line and our train, where a
good luncheon was awaiting us. "Much ado about nothing."

On the return journey to Melbourne we visited New Guinea. What a
wonderful country! I would advise those who delight in good reading to
purchase Miss Grimshaw's books. Not only are they of overpowering
interest, but they are a living picture of the customs and habits of the
Papuan race.

On our arrival at Port Moresby, the seat of Government, Colonel Murray,
the High Commissioner, invited us to be his guests. Miss Grimshaw was at
the time Colonel Murray's guest also, and I had the pleasure of making
the acquaintance of the charming person whose intrepid and adventurous
nature had made us acquainted with the fascination of that hitherto
hardly-known island and its mysteries. Its orchids and butterflies alone
are sought for with the greatest zeal by the collectors of the world.

On my return to Melbourne I found that the inevitable was approaching.
Time, which has but little respect for persons, had moved on, and I was
close up to the age when the regulations demanded my retirement. On March
18, 1914, I would overtake my fifty-eighth birthday, and my active career
would close.

Our Government, however, had invited General Ian Hamilton, at the time
holding the appointment of Inspector-General of Oversea Forces, to make a
tour of inspection of the Commonwea