information as to his route on the occasion. We all know, without waiting
for that explanation, that his journey has conferred a most substantial
benefit on all these colonies. It has, there can be no doubt, very much
accelerated the formation of a great settlement in North Australia, which
may be expected to become, some day, a separate and independent colony.
In fact it has formed a fitting addition to the noble efforts which have
been made by this colony in the cause of Australian exploration. Those
efforts, as we all know, are now about to terminate. Instructions have
been despatched to Mr. Howitt to return as speedily as possible; and when
he brings back the remains of the lamented explorers, Burke and Wills, we
shall approach the closing scene of the great drama--or tragedy, as I
believe I may call it. I trust on that occasion the public funeral
promised to those brave men will be carried out with the enthusiasm which
was manifested a year ago, and that active exertions will be used by all
concerned to raise an appropriate monument to their memory. (Hear, hear.)
I have now great pleasure in handing to King, on the part of the Royal
Geographical Society of London, this watch, which bears within, as he
will find, an inscription setting forth that it was "Presented by the
President and Council of the Royal Geographical Society of London to John
King, for his meritorious conduct in the expedition under the lamented
Burke and Wills." (Great applause.)

John King, who seemed overpowered with emotion, replied in the following
terms:

May it please your Excellency, it affords me much grateful satisfaction
to receive this watch, which the Royal Geographical Society of London has
been pleased to present to me in recognition of my services during the
late Victorian Exploring Expedition, and particularly to the lamented Mr.
Burke in his last moments. In these particulars, your Excellency, I