THE TROPICAL AGRICULTURIST. 
79 
Aug, 2, 1897.] 
Ceylon Planting affairs and Eailway Extension) 
which 1 read with much interest. 
“ We must work away again at ths Railway Ex- 
tension. We may yet get it I think. My idea is 
an Extension on any gauge that may be feasible. 
I have not as yet had any conversation with the 
Governor on the subject. I may be in Colombo 
about the end of the month, and shall hope to sse you. 
— Yours truly, B. Beauchamp Downall.” 
An interval of a couple of years of hard lighting 
in Council and the Press followed, and to show 
that Uva planters were not uninterested, we may 
give the following, not published before ; — 
“Badulla Planters’ Association, Badulla, 20th Sept., 
1886. 
“ Messrs. A. M. & J. Ferguson, ‘ Ceylon Observer ’ 
Office, Colombo. — Dear Sirs, — I have much pleasure 
in forwarding copy of a resolution passed at a 
General Meeting of this Association held in Badulla 
on Saturday the 11th September current. — I am, yours 
faithfully, Alexandeu T. Eettie, Secretary. 
“ Copy of resolution ref erred to'. 
“ Resolution proposed hy R. P. Macfarlane, Esq., 
seconded by A. T. Rettie, Esq., and carried with ac- 
clamation ; — ‘ That this Association desires to ex- 
‘ press its deep sense of the exertions made by the 
‘Editors of the “Observer” in the cause of extending 
‘the Railway to the Province of Uva, and more 
‘ especially the late exertions of Mr. John Ferguson 
‘to whom this Association desires to express its 
‘ best thanks.’— A. T. R.”* 
Still, there were two more weary years to fol- 
low — the more trying, because of “ the split in 
the camp ” which sent a number of the Badulla 
planters especially, after a narrow gauge to which 
Governor Gordon said at once he would be no 
party under any circumstances, — that is so far 
as to break gauge at Nanuoya. So decided an 
expression of opinion on the part of the Gover- 
nor settled the matter in Mr, Downall’s judg- 
ment, and he and the Observer with the majority 
of Uva men, never swerved in tlieir support 
of Sir Arthur Gordon who was now deeply 
committed to Railway Extension xvithout break 
of gauge until Uva was entered. Here is a letter 
written after a great meeting in Kandy where 
the Badulla representatives were induced to give 
support to a general resolution in favour of Ex- 
tension : — 
“ The Hill Club, Newera Eliya, 25th February, 1887. 
Dear Mr. Ferguson, — I have just read your railway 
articles with much interest and satisfaction. The 
resolution in Kandy was carried nit merely nem, 
con ; but unanimously. Messrs. Rettie, Hoseason, and 
other Badulla representatives agreeing to the wording 
as finally adopted without any hesitation. 
“I think the o] iuions I heard expressed after our 
P. A. meeting are correct ones, that the proceedings 
generally were characterised by moderation and 
common sense. Entre nous — H.E. is 'witli us on this 
medical question. — Yours fnithfully, 
“ R. Beauchamp Downale. 
“H.E. was quite satisfied with the railway resolution, 
at least he told me so. — R. B. D.” 
* These are given as bearing on Railway Ex- 
tension and coming from Uva with which Mr. 
Downall was so closely identified : on February 
17th, 1879, a formal Resolution to the same effect had 
been carried in the Parent Association, Kandy. 
At length in March 1888— sixteen years after the 
commencement of the agitation and nine years 
after sanction to Nanuoya — came the telegram 
from Sir H. Holland (afterwards Lord Knutsford) 
to Sir Arthur Gordon sanctioning Extension to 
Haputale, the Despatch being dated Feb. 20th. 
Here was Mr. Downall’s genial deliverance on 
the achievement of a result for which he had 
worked and fought and waited so long: 
Dambateune, Haputale, 19th March, 1888. 
“Dear Mr. Ferguson,— Congratulations all round- 
please accept mine yourself and convey them to 
your senior. It is indeed satisfactory to know that 
the great question is now undoubtedly settled, and 
that the Despatch is quite unconditioual and un- 
qualified, for it sanctions Extension to Haputale on 
the present gauge; of course that was a foregone 
conclusion.— Yours faithfully, 
“R. Beauchamp Downall.” 
It was characteristic of the writer that in the 
same letter he should make inquiry about the 
Collectorate of Canara whither he intended pro- 
ceeding on a shooting expedition thougli far from 
well. Indeed, for some years Mr. Downall had 
been suffering from the after-effects of a dysen- 
teric attack (we believe) that would have made 
anyone less high-spirited and plucky, extremely 
careful ofhimself. Nothing could keep hinifromhis 
usual active pursuits. After he took uphis residence 
in Haputale, he became the very life and centre 
of the district, showing a bright example of 
attention to planting duties, but at the same 
time ever ready of a Saturday afternoon for the 
local cricket practice or match, or ready at 
intervals to captain the district team in competi- 
tion with other districts or town teams. But 
this was not all ; he would also have his occa- 
sional sporting tour either to the lowcountry or 
to India, in either case running risks which 
were not for him in those latter years in view 
of internal trouble. We recall well a pressino 
invitation he gave us to visit him at Dambatenne 
in Feb. 1886 ; he was expecting Governor Gordon 
on his first visit to Haputale via Ratnapura and 
Balangoda, and on his way to inaugurate the 
new Province of Uva. With great regret we 
had to forego the Dambatenne visit, only having 
time to get direct to Badulla for the vice-regal 
tamasha. Riding down from Nuwara Eliya, half- 
way to Wilson’s Bungalow, we met Mr. Downall 
riding up. He had entertained the Governor 
the night before, the whole disirict gathering 
to present an address, and after seeing His 
Excellency and suite start for Badulla, he 
(Mr. Downall) had left the estate and was ou his 
w.ay to Southern India. Questioned as to his 
object, at a time when we knew he w’as in 
far from robust health, he said he had never 
shot a bison, and must do so before he went 
home, so he was on his way to its native haunts. 
It was again characteristic of Mr. Downall that 
