Many of those around me are natives of Western Australia; and although I am proud of Old England, my native country, I should have been glad to boast of having been born in the same colony as John Forrest.

All of his fellow-colonists should be proud that Mr.
Forrest has accomplished a feat which the whole civilized world must admire.

(Cheers.) I did think that the Surveyor-General would have considered it worthy of his coming here to-night to join us in doing honour to Mr.Forrest, and that he would have introduced you to a gentleman connected with the Government of Victoria, now in this colony--Mr.Wardell, the Inspector-General of Public Works, for whose services we are under deep obligation.

I believe him to be an excellent engineer, and in examining our harbour at Fremantle he will be the right man in the right place.

Had he, however, been in his right place to-night, he would have been here amongst us, introduced by the Surveyor-General, and we should thus have an opportunity of publicly thanking the Victorian Government for granting us the benefit of his services.