—Mr. Service himself was returned for the then undivided constituency of Melbourne. … As Victorian Land Minister he left his impress on the colony, by introducing the first Land Bill, which contained the principle so dear to the Australian settler, of "free selection before survey." This liberal measure was thrown out by the local Upper House, in which body the squatters and their nominees were the predominant faction. Mr. Service promptly resigned, followed by his friend, the late Mr. Francis, a Victorian public man, whose name is still held in honour because of his bluff manly honesty and generosity, and, above all, his prompt refusal on two occasions of the dignity of knighthood. … Many years after this, Victorian politics resolved themselves into a sort of triangular duel between three men, all of whom were lately at the same time in England—Sir James M'Culloch, another prominent colonial Scotsman; Mr., now Sir, Graham Berry, at present Agent-General, and Mr. Service. After the elections of 1883, the two latter decided to unite their forces and jointly rule the the colony, Mr. Service having the place of honour as Premier. The future historian of Victoria will recognise that Messrs. Service and Berry governed wisely and well. They reformed the most corruptly, or at least stupidly, managed branch of the public
