grown to pay. We all know that by a large expenditure of money and labour the poorest soils may be rendered productive, but the farmer expects a monetary return for his labour and outlay.

Although the chairman, in proposing the toast of my health, confined his remarks almost exclusively to my connection with our Agricultural Society, he incidentally referred to other services which he stated I had rendered to the district. With the permission of the company I should like to say a few words in reference to the Magistracy with which I have been so long associated. It is close on forty years since I first took my seat on the Camden Bench, and as I have been a pretty regular attendant during that lengthened period, it is no mean record of gratuitous service. In looking back through such a long vista of years, I am forcibly reminded of the flight of time and the inevitable changes which have taken place in our community. Of all those who occupied a seat on the Bench when I first took my seat amongst them, I am the only survivor; and it is not without a feeling of sadness I occasionally recall their names, as examples that might well be followed. Such men as Mr. James Macarthur and his brother Sir William, Sir Charles Cowper, Sir George

Macleay, Mr. John Oxley, Mr. Downes (the much respected father of our good chairman), Mr. Thomas Barker, and later on Captain Onslow and Mr. Thomas, would have adorned any Bench in the colony, and some were distinguished in the Legislature of the country. It might be thought that with the removal of such men the glory of the Bench had departed; but in justice to myself and my present colleagues, I venture to think that, although we may not possess the culture or social position of some of those whose names I have mentioned, the administration of justice has not suffered at our hands, and the public still retains confidence in our acts and decisions. Speaking for myself individually, I can conscientiously assert that, although I may occasionally have erred in judgment, I have without fear or favour endeavoured to decide justly all cases that have ever come before me. For many years the Bench had the advantage of the services of a most excellent and efficient Clerk of Petty Sessions in the person of our old friend, Mr. John B. Martin, who, I am sorry to say, has been prevented from being present this evening through indisposition. He was so well versed in Magisterial Law and the procedure of the Court that in all cases of doubt we could

always rely on him for advice and assistance. With such an adviser always on hand and ready to help, I never thought it necessary to study the law as I should otherwise have done-which has seriously impaired my efficiency on the Bench and latterly caused me much regret. It may interest more present to hear that during my long period of service on the Bench there has never been, so far as I can recollect, a single capital offence brought before the Court, and comparatively very few indictable offences or cases of serious crime. This, I think, speaks well for the moral tone of our district, and the law-abiding character of the inhabitants.

I will not detain you with any further remarks; but I would repeat my sincere and grateful acknowledgments of the high compliments you have paid me this evening, and the pleasure it has afforded me to see so many friends, both old and young, gathered around to do me honour. As time rolls on the old ones pass away, carrying with them the pleasant memories of early days; but I am glad to think I still retain the faculty of attracting those much younger than myself; and I am happy in being able to say I reckon amongst them some of the dearest and most valued friends I possess.

To them I would say: "Always reverence those of riper years, remembering that nothing gives the aged a keener pleasure than a kind word or a kindly action coming from the young. I can say from my own experience, in grateful acknowledgment, that they have done much to brighten my life, and make me think better of humanity. Gentlemen, I most sincerely thank you.

SPEECH AT THE OPENING OF A BAZAAR IN CONNECTION WITH THE R.C. CHURCH.

(Camden, November 22, 1899.)

I have come here to-day in compliance with an invitation conveyed to me by your respected priest, the Rev. Father Sheridan, who informed me that the committee had expressed a desire that I should open your bazaar. I am highly sensible of the honour you have conferred upon me. I regard it not only as a personal compliment, but as an evidence of those friendly relations which have always existed in this district between the members of my own communion and the Roman Catholic Church. The first impulse to this friendly feeling was given, I believe, by Mr. James Macarthur, the father of Mrs. Onslow, when many years ago he supported the candidature of Mr. Roger Therry (a Roman Catholic gentleman), and by his influence was chiefly instrumental in having him returned for this constituency to the first elective legislature of the colony. Civil and religious liberty