a minority by three votes in
Winton, but the outside places returned me with a substantial majority.
Labour gained a few more seats at this election, and the verbosity one
had to listen to made an M.L.A.'s life, like a policeman's, not a happy
one.

Towards the end of the session the Minister for Railways laid the plans
and specifications of another section of the Hughenden to Winton railway
on the table of the House. Messrs. Kidston and Curtis, MM.L.A., led the
Central members in strong opposition to the proposal, but after a short
debate it was carried. This section when completed brought the line from
Watten to Manuka, or, as the station is now called, "Corfield."

The second sections of the railway from Hughenden to Winton were
constructed by the late Mr. G. C. Willcocks, and in a record time. He
had to carry ballast and water along the whole construction of 132 miles
from the Flinders River at Hughenden. His system was to plough and scoop
the bed for the permanent way. This being done, a temporary line was
laid down alongside, upon which trucks were run to carry on the advance
work, leaving permanent work to follow up. As a consequence he was two
months ahead of his time, and the line being available to carry traffic
on the unopened portion, the Government decided to give him a bonus to
hand the line over. Compared with present-day railway construction, as
regards expense in time and in money, the Winton line is a monument to
Mr. Willcock's ability and energy as a contractor, and to the relative
merits of contract and day labour.

In 1896, Sir Hugh Nelson had been appointed President of the Legislative
Council, and appeared in his Windsor uniform at the opening of
Parliament this year. Mr. W. H. Brown, the leader of the Labour Party,
who was sitting next to me in the Council Chamber, in a whisper loud
enough to be heard around, remarked:--"I am just thinking how many
ounces to the dish Sir Hugh Nelson would pan out if he were boiled
down." Sir Hugh gave dignity to his new position, which was the reward
of years of distinguished loyal and successful service to Queensland.

The Hon. T. J. Byrnes was now appointed to succeed Sir Hugh Nelson as
Premier, and shortly afterwards visited England. Mr. Byrnes' career and
successes were well known in that country, and these, aided by a frank,
charming manner, made his tour one of triumph. It was a blow to
Queensland that he did not long survive his return to the State.
Al