xvi Proceedings, &c. 



desirability of subscriptions being paid at the commencement of 

 each year, and they now desire to again urge the same. 



In their Report for 1860, your Council expressed a sanguine 

 hope that assistance would be granted by the Legislature towards 

 defraying the cost of publishing their Transactions, the more 

 especially, when it is considered that the Society has had to perform 

 services, and incur charges in connection with .the performance of 

 numerous duties of a public character, extraneous to the ordinary 

 objects of the Society, but this hope was not realized until 

 1861, when a sum of =£300 was voted in the supplementary 

 estimates for the year. 



The Prizes offered in 1860 by the Government, for Essays on 

 various important subjects, were awarded, and the Essays printed, 

 under the recommendation and supervision of members of this 

 Society and its Council ; and in consideration of the services rendered 

 by the Society, 200 copies of the Government Prize Essays were placed 

 at the disposal of the Council for distribution among the Members. 



Your Council refer with satisfaction to the successful results of 

 the Exploration conducted by the devoted Burke and Wills, and of 

 the various leaders of the several Contingent Exploration Expedi- 

 tions, although they cannot but deeply lament the heavy cost paid 

 for this extension of our geographical knowledge in the lives of so 

 many brave men. 



The Council, believing that no better or more faithful compendium 

 of the labours of this Society can be submitted to you than the 

 Progress Report of the Exploration Committee, have delayed their 

 own Report in order that it may be accompanied by that of the 

 Exploration Committee.* 



The Victorian Exhibition recently closed may justly be included 

 amongst the practical results of the Society's labours. The R,oyal 

 Commission which conducted it, having originated in a paper read 

 before the Society by one of its Members, who has since been 

 appointed agent to the Commission in London, the majority of 

 the Commissioners were Members of your Council, whilst the Jurors 

 were mainly selected from the Members of this Society ; and a dis- 

 tinguished Member of your Council now represents the Colony in 

 London at the great International Exhibition. 



The following gentlemen retire from office but are eligible for 

 re-election : — 



President : 

 His Excellency Sir H. Barkly, K.C.B., &c, &c, &c. 



Vice Presidents : 



Professor M'Coy. Charles W. Ligar, Esq. 



Treasurer : 



Rev. John J. Bleasdale, D.D. 



* Printed separately and presented to the Society on 20th August, i8G3. 



