lxvi Reports of Committees. 



would be secured by a successful exploration of this vast continent, 

 and the duty of this colony to contribute for this purpose. 



" We earnestly beg, however, to direct your attention to the gene- . 

 rous offer of .£1,000 that has been made, on condition that £2,000 

 should be subscribed within twelve months. About £1,000 only 

 have as yet been obtained, and that chiefly in Melbourne ; and as 

 only one month remains to complete the required amount, we venture 

 to make this personal appeal to you, in the full assurance that you 

 will appreciate our efforts to accomplish an object of so great national 

 importance, and that you will not refuse to aid us with a contribution 

 to the Exploration Fund. 



" We have the honor to be, Sir, 



" Your very obedient servants, 



"WILLIAM F. STAWELL, 

 JOHN HODGSON, 

 FERD. MUELLER, 

 JOHN MACADAM, 

 DAVID E. WILKIE. 



"The favour of an immediate answer is respectfully requested, 

 addressed to the Hon. Treasurer, David E. Wilkie, Esq., M.D., 

 106 Collins street east, Melbourne." 



Within one week our prospects began to brighten, and within the 

 specified period of twelve months the subscription list amounted to 

 £2,199, exclusive of the handsome offer of Messrs. Turnbull and 

 Cadell to subscribe £500 in carriage of goods on the Murray and 

 Darling rivers for the exploring party. 



Among the names of the subscribers your Committee has much 

 pleasure in referring to the liberal donation of £50 by His Excellency 

 Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., who has always evinced the warmest 

 interest in Australian exploration. 



Among the earlier subscribers should also be honorably mentioned 

 the name of Henry Hopwood, Esq., of Echuca, who, in the kindest 

 manner, and under a strong sense of the importance of the object, at 

 once forwarded the handsome subscription of £100: 



Honorable mention should also be made of the names of J. A. V. 

 Bruce, Esq., of Messrs. Cornish and Bruce, who veiy liberally subscribed 

 £100 ; of Samuel W. M'Gowan, Esq., General Superintendent of 

 Electric Telegraphs, who, at no inconsiderable personal sacrifice, col- 

 lected the sum of £79 6s.; of Messrs. Winter Brothers, who subscribed 

 £55 ; of P. A. C. O'Farrell, Esq., who subscribed £52 10s. ; and of 

 Angus M'Millan, Esq., M.L.A., who subscribed £50. 



There is another name to which your Committee would refer with 

 pleasure — that of the Rev. Joseph Docker, of Wangaratta, whose 

 letter, enclosing a cheque for £100, is deemed worthy of a place in 

 this report : — 



