( ix ) 



about. His one other" pet scheme was that of flood outlet 

 from the Kelani Valley. 



Nothing short of a book could do justice to the many things 

 the veteran colonist did for his adopted country, a brief 

 newspaper article is incapable of embracing them, they were 

 so many. Many we were thankf ul to say he sawf ulfilled, others 

 he would have seen had he lived. It was a life spent m the 

 service of his country, and it might be truly said that he died 

 practically in harness, still striving after that which would do 

 good to his f ellowmen . 



As a public orator, Mr. Wall always commanded attention, 

 and even to the end he was always ready and an interesting- 

 speaker. His last public appearance was in April last at a 

 dinner given in honour of one of the proprietors of this journal, 

 who was then about to depart for England, and to whom the 

 news, on his arrival in the Island a few weeks ago, of the 

 serious illness of his old friend and trusted ally came as a great 

 shock. In February last he was present at the complimentary 

 dinner given at Kandy to Sir (then Mr.) J. J. Grinlinton on his 

 return from Chicago, when Mr. Wall replied to the toast of 

 " The father and founder of the Planters' Association." As 

 an after-dinner speaker he was always brimming over with 

 humour. 



It is not generally known that even in his straightened 

 circumstances Mr. Wall was charitable to a degree. No 

 deserving charity list was without his name, and the quiet 

 way in which he dispensed other charities is only known 

 by those who enjoyed the most intimate acquaintance 

 with him. 



Mr. Wall was a most enthusiastic bimetallist, and his 

 frequent articles on the monetary question have been regarded 

 as some of the most able that have appeared either here or in 

 England. In politics he was conservative, but at the same 

 time held very strong views on the advantages of free trade, 

 and for his advocacy of the cause received the Gold Medal of 

 the Cobden Club, a most exclusive honour. 



Mr. Wall was a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, 

 Vice-President of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic 

 Society, and also a Fellow of the Linnean Society. 



3 • 6(6)20 



