they undertook the arduous task assigned them and faced its hazards.  They had to contemplate hard privations, and it might be disease, accident, or even a lingering and lonely death.  These were the terms—­the necessary terms—­on which they engaged in their uncertain and perilous speculation.  They went forth not knowing whither they went; but their Heavenly Father watched over them and protected them from dangers, seen and unseen.  He was especially struck with the providence of God in the case of McKinlay.  The flood of waters which troubled him might have been a deluge to sweep him away, but, by the gracious overruling providence of God his life was preserved, and he was now in their midst.  Both Landsborough and McKinlay had returned none the worse for wear, but fresh and blooming, he would say, for the tan which they got from the sun seemed to him to be the richest of blooms. (Laughter.) They were the very models of fine, stalwart men.  He thanked God for it, who was the author of all their talents and all their gifts.  Their wonderful success, under God, was attributable to their foresight, prudence, and for want of a better word he would say their bush experience.  From the energy, sagacity, and unwearied patience which they had exercised the public had learnt some new things.  From Mr. McKinlay they had learnt that it was possible to drive a flock of silly sheep all the way to Carpentaria and eat them up one by one at leisure. (Laughter.) They had further learnt that old horse was very palatable beef to a hungry man, and that boiled camel was a savoury morsel in a weary wilderness. (Renewed laughter.) From Mr. Landsborough they had learnt the important lesson that it was most wise to rest and refresh both man and beast upon that seventh day which had been ordained us a universal blessing. (Hear, hear.) He quite enjoyed hearing of Mr. Landsborough and his men luxuriating on a breakfast of meat and pig-weed, followed, after a due interval, by an epicurean dinner of cold rice and jam. (A laugh.) The result of their explorations had been immense, for they had probably tripled, or even quadrupled, the extent of territory in Australia available for settlement, and added greatly to the resources of the country.  The advantages thus secured for pastoral purposes were beyond all calculation, though they could not now be appreciated as they would be hereafter.  They deserved well of their country.  In all ages such services as they had rendered had been regarded as national benefactions.  The principle of the state rewarding such services had been recognised in this colony and had been reduced to practice.  Recompense was decreed by Parliament to the discoverers of new goldfields, and the admirable constitution of this colony had provided a most soothing consolation, in the shape of 1800 pounds per annum, to requite the devotion of those self-sacrificing spirits who consented to bow their studious heads and delicate shoulders to the responsibilities of government for