gn my
seat. I explained the position to Fraser, who consulted my supporting
committee. It was decided that as the promise given to me by McIlwraith,
who was still Premier, as regards the Hughenden-Winton line was not
kept, and as they could not ask me to sit opposed to the Government,
they considered there was nothing for me but to retire from the House
altogether. I submitted the letter to Nelson, who then laughed, and said
he had gone into the whole question, and found that McIlwraith had
pledged himself. It appeared that Byrnes was in his confidence, and
"looking at it again," Nelson said, "it is a good policy in western
interests, but what a howl there will be in Rockhampton." Finally, when
the railway policy was made public, it was found that the first section
of a line towards Winton was proposed.

I do not think that any railway proposal received such a searching
criticism from its opponents. It was very amusing to see an immense map
of Queensland hung in the chamber, and one of the Central members with a
long pointer showing the boundaries of the several districts, and how
Rockhampton rights would be encroached upon. However, in spite of all,
the line eventually reached Winton, but that was the only part of
McIlwraith's scheme which became finalised, which I think is a matter to
be regretted.

In later years a scheme was adopted which put Sydney as near to the Gulf
Territory of Queensland as Brisbane, and which, if carried out, will
make the first-mentioned the Port of Western Queensland. The
construction of the lines under Denham's and Kidston's schemes, is,
however, making such slow progress that there is a hopeful probability
that they will never be completed.

The Parliamentary session of 1894 was, I think, the most exciting in
happenings and bitter in feelings than any I experienced during my time
in the House. This state of affairs arose out of the shearers' strike,
which existed in the Mitchell, Gregory and Flinders districts. So
serious was the position of affairs in those districts that the Ministry
felt it was absolutely necessary to introduce such exceptional
legislation as would give far-reaching powers to the Government and its
officers for the preservation of peace. Considerable damage had happened
to the property of pastoralists in those districts by fire. In one or
two places firearms were used.

When Nelson asked for the formal leave to introduce the bill, Mr.
Glassey, who was leader of the